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08.02.2010 16:59 |
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David Phillips: No linkage between Armenian-Turkish protocols and the Karabakh issue |
“The Protocols represent a bilateral agreement between Turkey and Armenia. There is no linkage to Nagorno Karabakh. This was expressed by Prime Minister Erdogan to President Obama when they met last April. It was widely perceived last year that Turkey was heralding its signing of the protocols to effect international recognition of the Armenian genocide. I don’t think anyone will be interested in that happening again, David Phillips, scholar of Columbia University, told Today.az.
Asked to comment on the decision of the Armenian Constitutional Court, David Phillips said: “Only opponents of the Protocols have identified differences between the Constitutional Court’s decision and the text, as far as I am aware. Even those perceived differences are not significant overall. The United States joined with others in hailing the Court’s decision as a necessary and positive step toward ratification. Inaction has already been damaging and will ultimately undermine the historic opportunity represented by the Protocols.”
Touching upon the meetings between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the scholar said “it is important that both sides continue to meet at a high level and work sincerely towards resolution.”
Asked about the “unwillingness” of the Armenian government to do something to resolve the Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan, David Phillips stated: “This perception is incorrect. The Armenian government has stated both publicly and privately that they are willing and able to solve the problem. Since the status quo isn’t in their interest, there’s no reason to think otherwise. The United States is highly motivated to make progress. It is working through the Minsk Group and bilaterally with concerned government to resolve issues concerning Nagorno-Karabakh. The Obama Administration has made clear its commitment to multilateralism. The cooperation of other countries, especially Russia, is essential.” |
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08.02.2010 16:58 |
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Sergey Shakaryants: Many seem to have forgotten that Karabakh war was unleashed by Azerbaijan |
According “Forgotten Victims of Frozen Conflict” Euronews reportage of February 1, Armenia failed to fulfill 4 UNO resolutions on cessation of hostilities and return of territories to Azerbaijan. Yet, they obviously forgot that the first 3 resolutions were passed in the first half of 1993, when Azerbaijan acted as an attacker, seizing almost half of Nagorno Karabakh territory, political scientist Sergey Shakaryants said.
“Naturally, NKR defense army had to protect itself, and was not in a position to cease military actions,” Armenian political scientist said, adding that the 4th resolution, too, was adopted after 1993, after Azerbaijan’s resumption of hostilities.
“Many seem to have forgotten that the war was ceased only upon Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev’s inviting Armenian, Azeri and NKR Defense Ministers to Moscow, where Safar Abiyev was forbidden to leave Moscow unless he agrees to sign Protocol on ceasefire,” Sergey Shakaryants emphasized.
UNO General Assembly passed 4 resolutions on Nagorno Karabakh, all of them adopted before 1994 and containing stipulations both on Armenia and Karabakh conflict. UNO resolutions are advisory of nature and carry no binding character.
The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out in 1988 as result of the ethnic cleansing the latter launched in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 to 1994. Since the ceasefire in 1994, sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan, most of Nagorno Karabakh and several regions of Azerbaijan around it (the security zone) remain under the control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. |
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08.02.2010 16:57 |
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Edward Sharmazanov: Ilham Aliyev must forget, that NKR might be part of Azerbaijan |
"I want to remind the Azerbaijani leadership, that 16 years ago, they asked to sign a cease-fire agreement. I don't treat seriously the statement of Ilham Aliyev in an interview with Euronews that Azerbaijan may agree to a military solution of the conflict, " Edward Sharmazanov secretary of the parliamentary group of Republican Party of Armenia told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. According to Sharmazanov, belligerent statements of Azerbaijani President is not serious since they are followed by his calls to peaceful conflict resolution. "Armenia has always been for a peaceful solution to the conflict, but we proceed from the philosophy "if you want peace, prepare to war, " Sharmazanov said.
He also reminded to Aliyev that Nagorno Karabakh has been occupied by Azerbaijan during the Soviet era and achieved its independence in the national liberation struggle.
Sharmazanov stressed that current bellicose statements by Aliyev are more directed to himself. " Ilham Aliyev must forget, that NKR might be part of Azerbaijan and start handling its internal problems, which are innumerous," the MP said. |
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