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PRESIDENT: ARMENIA AND KARABAKH DO NOT WANT WAR, BUT WILL RESPOND ANY CHALLENGE
YEREVAN, January 16. /ARKA/. Armenia and Artsakh (Armenian name of
Karabakh) do not want a war, but everyone should know they will give
a fitting rebuff to any challenge thrown down, Armenian president
Serzh Sargsyan said.
"From now on the population of Artsakh will never face the threat of
physical extermination, and Armenia will be the guarantor of it. It
is Artsakh people who will determine the fate of Artsakh, and it
is recognized in the international law and numerous international
documents. Hence, full participation of Karabakh authorities in the
negotiations is becoming dictates of the time," Sargsyan said in his
speech at an extended meeting of Armenian ministry of defence.
The president pointed out that the South Caucasus could develop in a
harmonic way and could become an ideal partnership model if all the
states of the region had the same system of values, the same intentions
in terms of state-building and the same development objectives.
"But if your neighbour has another, a contrary system of values,
it jeopardizes your state seriously," he said.
The president stressed that the Azeri war-encouraging regime may
undertake a military gamble every day, every moment.
"I believe our neighbour understands well that a war will be a disaster
for both Armenia and equally, if not more, for Azerbaijan.
But I don't think today's leaders of Azerbaijan are concerned about
the fate of their people. They will be ready to resume the war, once
they believe they will have an absolute advantage over Armenia and if
it will be required for drawing attention away from internal problems,"
Sargsyan said.
Armenian president pointed out that Armenia's approaches in the
negotiations are reasonable and balanced and take into account the
need for sustainable and peaceful development in the region, Sargsyan
said. Yet, Armenia should continue its efforts toward stronger state
and army, developed democracy, protected citizens and prosperity for
guaranteeing the peace, the president said.
The Karabakh conflict started in 1988 when prevailingly Armenian
population of Nagorno-Karabakh declared withdrawal from Azerbaijan. On
December 10, 1991, a referendum was held in Nagorno-Karabakh where
99.89% voted for independence from Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan responded by large-scale military operations that led
to loss of control not only over Nagorno-Karabakh itself, but also
over seven adjoining areas. About 25-30 thousands people were killed
and about a million had to leave their homes during the military
operations.
A trilateral cease-fire agreement was signed on May 12, 2004, and has
been followed since then. The ongoing Karabakh peace process started
in 1992 under auspices of OSCE Minsk Group. -0-
From: A. Papazian
YEREVAN, January 16. /ARKA/. Armenia and Artsakh (Armenian name of
Karabakh) do not want a war, but everyone should know they will give
a fitting rebuff to any challenge thrown down, Armenian president
Serzh Sargsyan said.
"From now on the population of Artsakh will never face the threat of
physical extermination, and Armenia will be the guarantor of it. It
is Artsakh people who will determine the fate of Artsakh, and it
is recognized in the international law and numerous international
documents. Hence, full participation of Karabakh authorities in the
negotiations is becoming dictates of the time," Sargsyan said in his
speech at an extended meeting of Armenian ministry of defence.
The president pointed out that the South Caucasus could develop in a
harmonic way and could become an ideal partnership model if all the
states of the region had the same system of values, the same intentions
in terms of state-building and the same development objectives.
"But if your neighbour has another, a contrary system of values,
it jeopardizes your state seriously," he said.
The president stressed that the Azeri war-encouraging regime may
undertake a military gamble every day, every moment.
"I believe our neighbour understands well that a war will be a disaster
for both Armenia and equally, if not more, for Azerbaijan.
But I don't think today's leaders of Azerbaijan are concerned about
the fate of their people. They will be ready to resume the war, once
they believe they will have an absolute advantage over Armenia and if
it will be required for drawing attention away from internal problems,"
Sargsyan said.
Armenian president pointed out that Armenia's approaches in the
negotiations are reasonable and balanced and take into account the
need for sustainable and peaceful development in the region, Sargsyan
said. Yet, Armenia should continue its efforts toward stronger state
and army, developed democracy, protected citizens and prosperity for
guaranteeing the peace, the president said.
The Karabakh conflict started in 1988 when prevailingly Armenian
population of Nagorno-Karabakh declared withdrawal from Azerbaijan. On
December 10, 1991, a referendum was held in Nagorno-Karabakh where
99.89% voted for independence from Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan responded by large-scale military operations that led
to loss of control not only over Nagorno-Karabakh itself, but also
over seven adjoining areas. About 25-30 thousands people were killed
and about a million had to leave their homes during the military
operations.
A trilateral cease-fire agreement was signed on May 12, 2004, and has
been followed since then. The ongoing Karabakh peace process started
in 1992 under auspices of OSCE Minsk Group. -0-
From: A. Papazian