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Mamedyarov on NK referendum: "We are rather speaking of a poll"

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  • Mamedyarov on NK referendum: "We are rather speaking of a poll"

    Mamedyarov on Nagorno Karabakh referendum: "We are rather speaking of a poll"

    Regnum, Russia
    July 27, 2006

    Basic elements suggested by the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs and
    discussed during the last negotiations "are acceptable if the basics'
    essence is preserved that the conflict should be resolved gradually,
    based on the principles and norms of international law," Day.Az quotes
    Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov to comment
    on the Minsk group member countries' positions.

    According to Mamedyarov, the international community has a clear
    understanding that "when we speak of international law, the factor
    of territorial integrity is primary," whereas "the self-determination
    principle does not imply breaking territorial integrity." He brought
    in this regard a number of examples of state structures where
    nations determine themselves in the framework of states' territorial
    integrity. "I have continually spoken out of the examples of Tatarstan,
    Bashkiria; there is Trieste and other instances," Mamedyarov said.

    As regards the acceptability of the Trieste model in solving the
    Nagorno Karabakh issue, Mamedyarov was told that the model presumes
    the existence of many elements that had been at some points offered to
    the official Baku and were rejected, particularly, the availability
    of an autonomy's own army, state symbols, passports, currency,
    etc. Azerbaijani minister said that there is a huge difference between
    the Trieste in 1950s and in the 21st century.

    Mamedyarov said that "thanks to the economic development and
    normalization of the everyday life, the Trieste society starts to
    react differently to sensitive issues. In this context, the problem
    of Nagorno Karabakh was perhaps a problem of the Soviet totalitarian
    regime under which all the population of the Soviet Union was in a
    grave state."

    Mamedyarov says that in this context, taking into account Azerbaijan's
    building a law-abiding society, democracy, and market economy, the
    situation changes drastically, therefore, one should look at the
    prospect. On the first stage, it is necessary, of course, to solve
    the issue of displaced persons, for the problem is serious enough,
    as well as issues of security, economy, and communications.

    Azerbaijan, co-chair countries, and EU member countries "explain
    to the Armenian side that prolonging the destructive policy in the
    region will make it difficult for them to expect a lively development
    in the future." "If they in Armenia think that they will be able
    to preserve control over the occupied territories, this, I suppose,
    would be equal to a suicide," Mamedyarov claimed.

    "We will persist in continuing our policy of developing Azerbaijani
    economic and political systems, all its institutions, including
    military ones," Mamedyarov says. "To move forward, one needs to
    understand the situation in the region, which will come at some point."

    Speaking of the possibility of holding in Nagorno Karabakh referendum
    on its status, the minister said: "We are rather speaking of
    a poll." He specified that "this will become possible after the
    life of both Azerbaijani and Armenian communities is normalized -
    in Nagorno Karabakh itself, after the Azerbaijani displaced persons
    have returned."

    What questions are to be asked in the "poll," is, in his words,
    still a matter of negotiations, "for if a question posed disputes
    territorial integrity, the question can only be solved based on the
    Constitution of Azerbaijan."

    Touching upon the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry position on journalists'
    visits to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the minister said; "Considering
    that Nagorno Karabakh is an inseparable part of Azerbaijan, I do
    not see a problem in the country's representatives' visiting the
    region. But naturally, this depends on the level of cooperation. If
    a need arises for citizens to visit - journalists, NGO workers,
    even official representatives - we have no objection to it."

    "I think we have to overcome the barrier of hatred that exists between
    Azerbaijan and Armenia on some issues. We are neighbors, and we will
    have to deal with each other," Elmar Mamedyarov concluded.
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