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THE NKR: INTERVIEW BY F.P. CARTOLANO
Canadian "The PA Herald" and AESPUL Student Association Newspapers
Feb 5 2013
Interview on Artsakh
THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC: INTERVIEW BY FRANCOIS-PIERRE CARTOLANO
A small (11,450 kmē) nation of around 140,000 inhabitants, the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), or Artsakh Republic, is at in an
ongoing confrontation with Azerbaijan. The roots of this conflict
stem from Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's 1921 arbitrary decision
to redraw Armenia's border. In doing so, he gave away the region of
Nagorno-Karabakh (populated mainly by Armenians) to the Azerbaijan
SSR, sowing the seeds of discontent that would erupt more than sixty
years later. In 1988, when the USSR began to crumble, all the problems
effectively suppressed for decades by the Soviet system sprang up
across the Union. Clashes erupted in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, which
had officially appealed for reunification with Armenia. On December
10 1991, the NKR declared independence. This triggered open warfare
between Stepanakert (NKR's capital) and Baku (Azerbaijan's capital)
which would last until 1994, and end with a ceasefire. Since then,
the NKR is de facto independent, but its existence is continually
threatened by Azerbaijan's bellicose irredentism.
Relatively unknown in the West, the NKR is a fascinating example of
tenacity and determination. To learn more, we asked four questions
to Mr. Robert Avetisyan (pictured right), Permanent Representative
of the NKR to the United States.
What is Nagorno Karabakh's current geopolitical status?
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh has been proclaimed in
1991 in the process of disintegration of the Soviet Union, in full
compliance with then acting USSR legislation and international norms
and standards. In a referendum that took place on December 10, 99 per
cent of the participants voted in favour of independence of Nagorno
Karabakh. In spite of the peaceful and legitimate nature of the free
expression of will of the people of Karabakh Azerbaijan responded with
anti-Armenian pogroms and ethnic cleansing followed by a full-scale
military aggression against the NKR in 1991-1994.
In 1992 the International community has mandated the Minsk Group
of the OSCE, currently co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France to
conduct mediation for the settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan
and Nagorno Karabakh. In May 1994 a cease-fire agreement was signed
by Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, joined by Armenia and mediated
by Russia.
Today, despite its unrecognized status the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
is an established state, with its Constitution, functional civil
society, dynamically developing economy, effective governance and all
the attributes and institutions of statehood. Since independence the
republic has conducted several rounds of elections on various levels,
all of which have been praised by international observers as free
and transparent.
What is the s tate of Arm enia-Nagorno Karabakh friendship/cooperation?
The two Armenian states the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic are populated by a people which have the same
identity, history and culture, but for decades have been separated
by the fate of history. Today they are mutually interconnected in
all spheres of life.
>From the very beginning of the Karabakh movement Armenia has supported
the people of Karabakh in its aspirations for freedom. Armenia has
on numerous occasions stated of its readiness to support the decision
of the people of Karabakh.
With continued bellicose speeches from Azerbaijan's President, are
renewed border aggressions to be expected in 2014?
The aggressive policy of Azerbaijan manifested in its continuing
bellicose rhetoric and military build up, is a constant threat to
peace and security in the region. Anti-Armenian propaganda has become
a state policy in Azerbaijan, which further deepens the gap between
the two peoples, and postpones confidence-building - a minimal, yet
a crucial initial requirement for setting the grounds for a lasting
and durable settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
Until the destructive policy of Azerbaijan and its regular violations
of the cease -fire regime are strongly condemned and receive an
adequate assessment of the international community there will always
be a danger of resumption of aggression by Azerbaijan.
What is the state of Artsakh Army?
As a nation, which has faced military aggression, the NKR pays special
attention to the security of its population. The NKR defense army is
strong enough to ensure the inviolability of its borders and rebuke
any aggression. The balance of power maintained in the region by the
NKR Defence Army is the main factor of non-resumption of full-scale
military actions.
http://aespulenglish.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/5/7/20571626/robert_avetisyan_en.pdf
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Canadian "The PA Herald" and AESPUL Student Association Newspapers
Feb 5 2013
Interview on Artsakh
THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC: INTERVIEW BY FRANCOIS-PIERRE CARTOLANO
A small (11,450 kmē) nation of around 140,000 inhabitants, the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), or Artsakh Republic, is at in an
ongoing confrontation with Azerbaijan. The roots of this conflict
stem from Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's 1921 arbitrary decision
to redraw Armenia's border. In doing so, he gave away the region of
Nagorno-Karabakh (populated mainly by Armenians) to the Azerbaijan
SSR, sowing the seeds of discontent that would erupt more than sixty
years later. In 1988, when the USSR began to crumble, all the problems
effectively suppressed for decades by the Soviet system sprang up
across the Union. Clashes erupted in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, which
had officially appealed for reunification with Armenia. On December
10 1991, the NKR declared independence. This triggered open warfare
between Stepanakert (NKR's capital) and Baku (Azerbaijan's capital)
which would last until 1994, and end with a ceasefire. Since then,
the NKR is de facto independent, but its existence is continually
threatened by Azerbaijan's bellicose irredentism.
Relatively unknown in the West, the NKR is a fascinating example of
tenacity and determination. To learn more, we asked four questions
to Mr. Robert Avetisyan (pictured right), Permanent Representative
of the NKR to the United States.
What is Nagorno Karabakh's current geopolitical status?
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh has been proclaimed in
1991 in the process of disintegration of the Soviet Union, in full
compliance with then acting USSR legislation and international norms
and standards. In a referendum that took place on December 10, 99 per
cent of the participants voted in favour of independence of Nagorno
Karabakh. In spite of the peaceful and legitimate nature of the free
expression of will of the people of Karabakh Azerbaijan responded with
anti-Armenian pogroms and ethnic cleansing followed by a full-scale
military aggression against the NKR in 1991-1994.
In 1992 the International community has mandated the Minsk Group
of the OSCE, currently co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France to
conduct mediation for the settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan
and Nagorno Karabakh. In May 1994 a cease-fire agreement was signed
by Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, joined by Armenia and mediated
by Russia.
Today, despite its unrecognized status the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
is an established state, with its Constitution, functional civil
society, dynamically developing economy, effective governance and all
the attributes and institutions of statehood. Since independence the
republic has conducted several rounds of elections on various levels,
all of which have been praised by international observers as free
and transparent.
What is the s tate of Arm enia-Nagorno Karabakh friendship/cooperation?
The two Armenian states the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic are populated by a people which have the same
identity, history and culture, but for decades have been separated
by the fate of history. Today they are mutually interconnected in
all spheres of life.
>From the very beginning of the Karabakh movement Armenia has supported
the people of Karabakh in its aspirations for freedom. Armenia has
on numerous occasions stated of its readiness to support the decision
of the people of Karabakh.
With continued bellicose speeches from Azerbaijan's President, are
renewed border aggressions to be expected in 2014?
The aggressive policy of Azerbaijan manifested in its continuing
bellicose rhetoric and military build up, is a constant threat to
peace and security in the region. Anti-Armenian propaganda has become
a state policy in Azerbaijan, which further deepens the gap between
the two peoples, and postpones confidence-building - a minimal, yet
a crucial initial requirement for setting the grounds for a lasting
and durable settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
Until the destructive policy of Azerbaijan and its regular violations
of the cease -fire regime are strongly condemned and receive an
adequate assessment of the international community there will always
be a danger of resumption of aggression by Azerbaijan.
What is the state of Artsakh Army?
As a nation, which has faced military aggression, the NKR pays special
attention to the security of its population. The NKR defense army is
strong enough to ensure the inviolability of its borders and rebuke
any aggression. The balance of power maintained in the region by the
NKR Defence Army is the main factor of non-resumption of full-scale
military actions.
http://aespulenglish.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/5/7/20571626/robert_avetisyan_en.pdf
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress