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PRESS RELEASE
Civilitas Foundation
One Northern Avenue, suite 30
Yerevan Armenia
Tel: +37410 500 119
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.civilitasfoundation.org/
OSKANIAN REACTS TO PRESIDENT'S STRASBOURG STATEMENT
In the President's speech in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly, and especially in the questions and answers that
followed, there were many misrepresentations, but three in particular must
be disowned by the administration.
First, to claim that Armenia has not recognized the independence of Karabakh
because Armenia accepts the principle of territorial integrity is to
misrepresent Armenia's position of the last 20 years, including his own
years.
For two decades, Armenia has not recognized the independence of Karabakh
specifically in order not to predetermine the outcome of the negotiations
process. If Azerbaijan were to pull out of those negotiations, or attempt to
use force, then the Republic of Armenia would recognize the independence of
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. That has been the policy of the Armenian
Republic, through three administrations. Thus, the President's
interpretation requires retraction especially because nowhere else in his
prepared remarks is there anything that in any way presents the official
position itself.
Second, the principles of non-use of force, territorial integrity and
self-determination, which the President listed as the Madrid principles are
in fact the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and serve as the guiding
philosophy for any conflict, including this one. Over the years, principles,
which number more than three and are specific to the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have been developed. They have come to be known
as the Madrid principles. As far as I know, even if the Madrid Document has
been revised, the principles remain the same. First among the Madrid
principles has been the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to
self-determination.
Third, after two military victories, Armenians have adhered to the
negotiation process, because we have believed that there is no military
solution to this conflict, and not because the Azerbaijani side has an
advantage.
A peaceful resolution remains Armenians' goal -- a resolution that is based
on solid, lasting principles. In the run-up to and in Kazan, the Armenian
position must be clearly and forcefully rectified. This struggle was and
continues to be about Karabakh's right to self-determination, first and
foremost.
Civilitas Foundation
One Northern Avenue, suite 30
Yerevan Armenia
Tel: +37410 500 119
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.civilitasfoundation.org/
OSKANIAN REACTS TO PRESIDENT'S STRASBOURG STATEMENT
In the President's speech in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly, and especially in the questions and answers that
followed, there were many misrepresentations, but three in particular must
be disowned by the administration.
First, to claim that Armenia has not recognized the independence of Karabakh
because Armenia accepts the principle of territorial integrity is to
misrepresent Armenia's position of the last 20 years, including his own
years.
For two decades, Armenia has not recognized the independence of Karabakh
specifically in order not to predetermine the outcome of the negotiations
process. If Azerbaijan were to pull out of those negotiations, or attempt to
use force, then the Republic of Armenia would recognize the independence of
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. That has been the policy of the Armenian
Republic, through three administrations. Thus, the President's
interpretation requires retraction especially because nowhere else in his
prepared remarks is there anything that in any way presents the official
position itself.
Second, the principles of non-use of force, territorial integrity and
self-determination, which the President listed as the Madrid principles are
in fact the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and serve as the guiding
philosophy for any conflict, including this one. Over the years, principles,
which number more than three and are specific to the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have been developed. They have come to be known
as the Madrid principles. As far as I know, even if the Madrid Document has
been revised, the principles remain the same. First among the Madrid
principles has been the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to
self-determination.
Third, after two military victories, Armenians have adhered to the
negotiation process, because we have believed that there is no military
solution to this conflict, and not because the Azerbaijani side has an
advantage.
A peaceful resolution remains Armenians' goal -- a resolution that is based
on solid, lasting principles. In the run-up to and in Kazan, the Armenian
position must be clearly and forcefully rectified. This struggle was and
continues to be about Karabakh's right to self-determination, first and
foremost.