NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASSIAN IS THE GUEST OF THE AZAT ARSTAKH

Dear readers! On eve the 15th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic (NKR) the guest of the Azat Artsakh newspaper is NKR President Arkady Ghoukasyan, who answered your questions. We are grateful to you for the questions. Thank you very much. The newspaper has gotten several hundred questions from Nagorno Karabagh, Armenia, Russia, United States, Azerbaijan and other countries. Our readers are interested in every sphere of life, from the Karabagh issue to the personal life of the president. Many questions are repeated and therefore we have chosen the most frequently asked ones and grouped them by topics for the reason of convenience. ANSWERS GIVEN TO THE AZAT ARTSAKH NEWSPAPER READERS BY NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHOUKASYAN. FOREIGN POLICY Mr. President, do you believe in recognition of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic by the international community? Marat Zakharyan, physician, Kaliningrad I do, definitely. When our people proclaimed independence of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic in the referendum 15 years ago in the first place they thought about their future rather than the stance of the international community. NKR's independence from Azerbaijan is not an end in itself. It is the only condition of existence, development and prosperity of the people of Nagorno Karabagh in the land of their ancestors. We clearly realize that international recognition is a long and difficult way, which also depends on the formation of new geopolitical correlation of forces taking place in our region. In the long run, however, everything depends on us, our will, patience, ability to overcome difficulties, solidarity and strength, self-sufficiency and readiness to build civil society. The Nagorno Karabagh Republic has been existing de facto and this reality is recognized by many in the world. We were able to defend our independence in the war imposed on us by Azerbaijan. We successfully recover the country from the consequences of that the war and now we have a state, which left Azerbaijan far behind by the level of public and political life democratization Mr. President, are you and Nagorno Karabagh military-political leadership going to return the so-called security belt territories back to Azerbaijan without recognition of the NKR's independence? Alex, Moscow We will never agree to a settlement, which will question the security of Nagorno Karabagh, let alone its independence from Azerbaijan. I am confident that any attempt to solve issues related to the security belt separately without the key issue of status is a path to war. There are no taboo topics for us. However, this does not mean that we are ready for unilateral concession. The extent of our concessions depends on the extent of those of Azerbaijan. Mr. President, how would you comment recent statement of the US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza according to which participation of Nagorno Karabagh in the negotiation process depends on the will of Armenia and Azerbaijan? Gallina Hairapetova, journalist, Armenia Azerbaijan is the only state, which is against Nagorno Karabagh's participation in the negotiation process as a party to the conflict. Baku prefers talks with Yerevan to transform the issue of self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabagh into Armenian territorial claims of Armenia on Azerbaijani territories. Unfortunately, the international mediators have met the attempts of the Azerbaijani side in order to keep the peace process alive. But I am confident that this is a temporary concession. In the documents of the OSCE Budapest Summit (December 1994) Karabagh was recognized as party to the conflict. Moreover, there are a bunch of issues that are just impossible to solve without our engagement. All the co-chairs of the Minsk Group fully comprehend this fact. By the way, when Azerbaijan found itself in a difficult situation during the war, Baku contacted with Stepanakert directly. We have a solid file of corresponding documents. Mr. Ghoukasyan, do you really believe that is there a single Armenian in the world who thinks that Azerbaijan would renounce from Karabagh? Does Stepanakert want war, especially taking into consideration that current Azerbaijani army does not resemble that of 1992? M. Ahmedov, Baku I shall answer in the same style. Is there a single Azerbaijani in the world who thinks that the Armenians of Karabagh would ever agree to return under the control of Baku? Does Azerbaijanis want war, especially taking into consideration that current Karabagh army also does not resemble that of 1992? War is not a solution. Mr. Ahmedov, unfortunately you are a typical victim of the Azerbaijani propaganda that denies the right of Nagorno Karabagh people for self-determination, the right that has been recognized by the international mediators, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group represented by leading world powers - the United States, Russia and France. We should look for reasonable compromises without which it would be impossible to reach a final settlement. Reliance on the military budget, hope for revenge is really bad, I would even say, suicidal hope. Azerbaijan always surpassed Nagorno Karabagh by manpower and weaponry. However, the results of war imposed by your country are well-know. Official Baku should stop confusing the international community and establish direct contacts with Stepanakert, for there are many issues, which we can solve at the negotiation table. Comrade Ghoukasyan, the world will never recognize the independence of the so-called NKR. Azerbaijan in any case will take Karabagh back. Don't you think that it is much better to accept it immediately? Besides, You cannot deny that this unsettled issue hinders economic development of Armenia. L. Seyidova, Ganja Dear Ms. Seyidova, Karabagh Armenians have chosen independence to fulfill their rights and freedoms, which had been arbitrarily invaded by the Azerbaijani leadership. Time has told that we were right and chose the right decision. Look at the stance of your authorities towards the Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh. They threaten us with extermination if we refuse to return under Azerbaijani control. Is this serious? Should civilized leader call their neighbors to live together through threats and blackmail? The people of Nagorno Karabagh do not hate the people of Azerbaijani. The situation in your republic is just the opposite. In Azerbaijan hatred towards Armenians is a state policy. The fact that in Azerbaijan the Nagorno Karabagh conflict is presented as an Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict just proves this. If you visit Nagorno Karabagh, you will see that our state has much more the freedom of speech and everything that is considered to be democracy that your country. And this is against the background that unlike in Azerbaijan nobody has forced us to maintain democratic norms and hold elections in compliance with European standards. But irrespective of everything, including the protests of your leadership, we democratize our society despite constant threats from the Baku authorities to launch a new war against Nagorno Karabagh. And we do this because above all the people of NKR need democracy. I assure you that the world is well aware of positive changes taking place in our country. This is why the number of our foreign friends and well-wishers steadily grows every year. As to the prospect of our recognition then in comparison with you I have much better opinion about the international community. You do not need to worry about Armenia as well. Your government leads your people in abyss. Think about this. Since the first day of his presidency Ilham Aliyev has been saying that his country has the ability to solve the Karabagh issue by force. Mr. President, what do you think about the possibility of such scenario? M. Hakobian, Tbilisi The possibility of the resumption of military operations, of course, cannot be excluded. However, I do not think that the Azerbaijani side will make such a fatal step. We have become used to all kinds of blackmail from the Baku authorities. Today they intent to frighten us with growing military budget coming from oil revenues. Nevertheless, this is unpromising policy. First of all, if Azerbaijan takes the risk to start a war, which is hard to believe, it will face a fitting rebuff with sad consequences for itself. Second, the military scenario seems unreal because world and regional powers are not interested in destabilization of situation, particularly taking into consideration huge investments the West has made in oil projects in the region. Third, the Azerbaijani society itself, which suffered from the military actions in 1992-1994, does not want war too. In Azerbaijan only those people speak about war who do not know what is it and who definitely are not going to fight in case it erupts. If you have noticed, the most aggressive calls come from the so-called Azerbaijani elite occupying high posts, which I believe has already prepared dispersal fields for its children and relatives. If Azerbaijan were a democratic state, its citizens would definitely ask their leaders both the former and the present about how long they are going to use the people as cannon fodder. I consider immoral both to think and to talk about war. Life has shown that war military scenario of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict settlement is impossible. Domestic politics Mr. Ghoukasyan, according to rumors the adoption of NKR's Constitution is aimed to empower you to run for the third term of presidency. Is it true? Alexander Petrosyan, builder, Stepanakert. If you are familiar with my election pledges, then you probably remember my promises to promote adoption of the NKR Constitution. The Basic Law of the country, the Constitution, is adopted by people and not by the president. And all through my presidency During all years of my presidency I have not given people any reason to doubt in me as the main guarantor of the rule of law. I think presidential, parliamentary and local elections held in the NKR assured our people that they themselves elect the president, members of parliament or mayor. By the way, you may know that some international structures on Azerbaijan's advice quite nervously react to any elections in the NKR. In other words, many would be satisfied with the situation of no elections in Karabagh. But this is not our path. We are building a democratic society that is impossible without free and fair elections. We need the Constitution and nobody doubts it. Moreover, I can say that we are a little bit late with its adoption. The world is not static and we must react adequately to the challenges of civilization. We must confirm and fix our right for freedom and independence, our readiness to develop the best traditions of the international community. As to me, then I have never expressed a wish to run for the third term of presidency. I consider it to be wrong when some people view the adoption of the Basic Law of the country in the context of the third term. People of NKR rather than Ghoukasyan need the Constitution. The Constitution is vital for international recognition of our state. Even if we suppose that in case the Constitution is adopted it provides me a chance for reelection then bunch of questions will arise, two which are worth mentioning. First of all, will I go for the third term? Second, which is the most important question, is whether our people need it. Irrespective of everything I will do my best to solve numerous problems our state faces till the last day of my presidency. Of course, there will be people who will consider all my initiatives as populism and as an attempt to please the people. But to fold my hands till the end of my presidency because of such people is just inadmissible, especially taking into consideration the fact that there are large-scale programs on the agenda, which we have been realizing for many years. Sooner or later we have to adopt the Constitution, either under my presidency or under another president. Following your logic, any president under whom the Constitution will be adopted, should be subject to such doubts. So, do we have to abandon the idea of adopting the Constitution? I would also like to underline the fact that the necessity of adopting the Basic Law of the country is fixed in political platforms of all political parties and movements in the NKR. And this is natural for it proceeds from the development logic of our statehood. Mr. President, is it fair that a few people are extremely rich and the majority can hardly make both ends meet? Don't you think that such a situation undermines unity of our society? Bahatur Abrahamian, pensioner, Martakert region of NKR. This situation is typical for the entire post-Soviet space and is the result of transition from Soviet type socialism to free market economy. As to the fact that the government should take measures to fight poverty, reduce contrast between the poor and the rich, then it is quite another matter. Here we have a lot of things to do. I think our entrepreneurs are just obliged to carry out humanitarian and philanthropist projects. I always call them for such activities. Believe me it is impossible to solve all economic problems at once, especially taking into consideration that NKR is still a non-recognized state and lacks financial aid from European structures. What do you think, how can Karabagh develop its economy at a fast pace without foreign credits? I would like to remind you that several years ago before oil price increases even such rich with natural resources country as Russia desperately needed the credits from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. I agree with you that polarization may bring about tensions in the society but only when wealth is accumulated through illegal means. The task of the state and of mine as the president is to prevent this dangerous phenomenon. I can understand your preoccupation. In fact break-up of the usual way of life, collapse of Socialist planned economy first of all affected the older generation, who due to objective reasons find hard to adapt with the new conditions dictated by the market. Actually we did not have an alternative. Do not fear successful businessmen, who accumulated their wealth, I would like to stress it once again, in a legal way because they create new jobs, pay taxes and increase budget revenues, carry out charity. Within this context in your region the Base Metals company, which has created around 1000 high-paid jobs and carries out charity activities, deserves deepest appreciation. I would like to make a special point of the activities the philanthropist Levon Hairapetian who has donated monies for the restoration of the Gandzasar Monastery, construction of industrial complexes and roads, building of factories, modern hotels, school and the hospital in the village of Vank and its vicinities. These examples clearly demonstrate that capital together with patriotism can bring substantial changes in social and economic life even in the entire region. I call local businessmen and those of Karabagh descent who live abroad to partake in the holly undertaking of Artsakh's revival. By the way, as a resident of Martakert region you probably know that these kinds of issues were discussed recently in the town of Martakert with your fellow countrymen, businessmen and entrepreneurs who live in Russia. I hope that similar meetings and discussions will become regular not only for Martakert region, but for the other regions of NKR. Generally speaking we see our task in helping the poor, developing small and medium-sized business, and formation of the middle class. Honorable Mr. President, I would like to say that there are people who tend to see everything in dark colors. How can we deny that life in Karabagh has improved? Who could imagine some 8-10 years ago that world best chess players would compete in Stepanakert? Among foreigners who visit Karabagh only Azerbaijanis say that everything is bad here. In fact, they feel bitter because we have succeeded in our undertakings by our own. I would like to know about Karabagh's development prospects. Arsen Arustamyan, officer of the NKR Defense Army Thank you for kind words. I agree with you. One has to have too negative attitude to neglect positive changes in NKR. The war imposed on us by Azerbaijan caused colossal damage to our economy, completely destroying its entire infrastructure. Besides, economy of Nagornyy Karabagh of the Soviet period, which is often used for comparison with current situation, had a wholly different profile. It was a planned economy fully dependent from Soviet Azerbaijan. Therefore, after the war NKR had to develop economy with entirely new profile from the scratch. These were our starting positions and taking them into consideration we can conclude that post-war growth rates of our economy are quite promising. For example, since 1995 the average annual GDP growth rate is 10 percent. In the same period population incomes have grown 8 times. Overall in post-war years 50 schools were built and 64 were repaired, 7 schools are currently under construction in the republic. Gasification of the republic is in full swing, over 170 km of high-pressure, 250 km of medium-pressure, and about 380 km of low-pressure gas pipelines have been set in operation. Gasification of capital Stepanakert, the towns of Askeran, Martuni, and Shushi, as well as 43 villages have been completed and we plan to complete gasification of NKR within the upcoming few years. In the above mentioned period more than 250 km of highways were constructed, 120 km of streets were repaired in the capital in the regional centers. In more than 80 communities water supply system was improved. Thanks to the attractive investment climate formed in our republic only within the last seven years the volume of foreign investments exceeded 80 million US Dollar. Although this is a significant volume, it is not enough for the full scale reconstruction of NKR's economy and solving the full spectrum of existing social problems. Unfortunately, due to the lack of international recognition NKR is deprived of investments from international financial organizations. Therefore, we have to further develop private sector of the economy, create new jobs, and support small and medium-sized businesses, which, I believe, are backbone of the country's economic development. For this reason, the leadership of NKR will keep doing everything to soften difficulties of social and economic transformation our citizens face during the transition period. Dear Mr. Ghukassian, recently much has been said about the necessity of the revival of Shushi's past fame as cultural, educational and health center. When words will transform into actions? A.Harutyunyan, director of Shushi History and Local Lore Museum. I think that for the rehabilitation of Shushi we need a special integrated program. It is clear that the present budget of NKR cannot resolve this complex problem. The rehabilitation of Shushi should become a pan Armenian task. This problem cannot be viewed separately from the improvement of living standards of the people of Shushi, providing them in the first place constant and well paid jobs and rebuilding of the town's infrastructure. Currently the priority is given to the programs aimed at improving living standards of our citizens including the residents of Shushi. I think this it is a right decision. However, what I said does not mean that the problem you are interested is considered by the NKR authorities as a secondary one. Not at all! Now we just do not have resources to solve it. This is why I think that we have to do great propaganda work to deliver the problem of Shushi to the Armenians all over the world and include it in the nation-wide agenda. We work in this direction and as the first results I would like to mention establishment of two funds, which are already involved in dealing with problems of our cultural capital faces. I think the initiatives of Yerevan mayor the patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church can set a good example for all the Armenians and will encourage more people to contribute their mint to the reconstruction of Shushi. Some promising ideas were discussed during my recent meeting with the leadership and members of the Union of Banks of Armenia. There are other projects too. I believe that joint efforts of Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora will revive Shushi. Changes are already evident. Look how the center of the town has changed. Streets have been repaired, the secondary and musical schools were reconstructed, the central hotel is under capital reconstruction, and the town's hospital is being ameliorated. Honorable Mr. President, I am worried about the following. To what extent is it expedient to allocate money from the state budget for building expensive new buildings for the National Assembly, the Cabinet of Ministers and other governmental agencies when many of our residents do not have apartments and just mere normal living conditions? Susanna Balayan, economist, Stepanakert Frankly speaking I expected such a question. In principle I agree with you. Preferencees should be given to the amelioration of living conditions of our citizens. This is exactly what we are doing. Meanwhile, construction of new buildings is a forced decision because we have just an abnormal situation in regard to the dislocation of state organs and organization of their divisions. This is also my fault. Year in year considering the existing social problems in our republic, during the process of state budget formation I opposed allocation of funds for these purposes and supported allocation of funds for construction of dwelling houses and objects of social purpose. Now some substantial qualitative changes have taken place and against the background of increased volumes of housing construction for the families of perished and invalid soldiers we can afford to direct part of financial resources to the construction of much needed governmental buildings. Judge yourself. You cannot any other country in the world where the Presidential Administration and the Parliament share the same building. We are even joking that separation of powers in NKR is physically impossible because the National Assembly lacks its own building. Because of tightness and lack of free space we cannot set up the Control Service under the NKR President. The building of the Presidential Administration has not been repaired for quite a long period of time, its infrastructure and electric wiring are in terrible conditions. Capital repair of the building has been on the agenda for nine years but every time I refuse to include it in the state budget. This year was not an exception too. Meanwhile, tens and hundreds of foreign officials enter the building and in fact they get impression from our country also from what they see. Even some curious things have taken place. One of our foreign philanthropists offered his assistance to repair the building of the Presidential Administration. I asked him to allocate the monies for building objects of social infrastructure. I think you agree with me that reconstruction of the presidential and ministerial cabinets is not the responsibility of philanthropists. We talk much about the completion of reforms in judicial system, division of appeal cassation courts. But look at the premises of our courts. The Court of First Instance, the Supreme Court, the military tribunal, and the city prosecutor's office are all located in one small and functionally unsuitable building. The establishment of a separate court of appeal has been prolonged because of the lack of appropriate premises, there is just no place to locate it. The headquarters of NKR Police and National Security Service are in the same situation. As the resident of Stepanakert you probably know that not many governmental agencies are spread all over the city, but there are also divisions of some ministries that are spread all over the capital. This definitely affects the efficiency of government agencies' work and causes inconveniences for visitors. According to our estimations new buildings of the National Assembly and the Cabinet will enable to carry out centralization of governmental structures and actually complete judicial reforms. Moreover, we plan to provide vacant buildings to public and non-governmental organizations. For example, should the state assist the formation of trade unions, the largest NGO in NKR? Of course, it should. And what about tens of others, which cannot effectively work because they do not have premises? This is the general picture of the sphere you mentioned. Besides, taking into consideration practical reasons we do not want to neglect also the esthetic aspect of the problem. The project of the reconstruction of the city's center including the central square, which is the beloved place of walking for the residents of the capital, and bringing it in compliance with the corresponding town planning concept, has been developed long ago. So, we want to solve two problems at once - to build the governmental complex and make the city center modern and attractive. The two modern top class hotels that are being built now by foreign investors will become an organic part of the central square. I hope that these two hotels will become a visit card of capital Stepanakert. Mr. President, how do you evaluate the level of crime in the republic and the activities of the law enforcement organs? L. Poghossian, engineer, Stepanakert. Everybody who visits our country notes that Stepanakert is the very much quiet and secure city. The same can be said also about other towns and settlements in our country. If we draw parallels with the past then, of course, it becomes evident that the present situation is derivative from long and hard work of the law enforcement organs. There are no people "above the law" in our republic, parents without any fear let their children walk around the city in the evening. We have unique law-abiding people. Therefore individual cynical cases of the infraction of law in form of hooliganism and severe beatings must be considered both as emergencies and the as oversight of the law enforcement organs. I am also dissatisfied with the activities of traffic police that in some cases appear helpless in dealing with some dare-devil drivers, disturbing pedestrians with their loutish driving. I have taken these issues under my personal control and we will have thorough discussions of those phenomena. Now I simply do not want to spoil people's holiday. Several months ago a circular water supply system was set in operation in Stepanakert. It seemed that it could solve the problem of round-the-clock water supply of the city. Alas! Since then nothing has changed. Moreover, in summer time lack of water becomes much more severe. When at last the problem of water supply in Stepanakert will be solved? A. Sargissian, housewife, Stepanakert Setting in operation the circular water supply system does not solve the problem of water supply in Stepanakert. This system functions normally if there is water in it. Last year the central government and Stepanakert city administration set in operation four and two artesian wells respectively. That is some work was done to improve water supply in the city. However, the volume of water in all sources supplying the city decreased dramatically due to the unprecedented draught and despite the fact hat main part of the capital receives water from artesian wells some parts of the capital face severe water deficit. It became clear that force majeure situations powerful pumps can solve the problem. But such pumps were not acquired in time. Recently I had conversation with the mayor of Stepanakert about the delivery of pumps. The monies have been allocated and soon the pumps will be delivered to the city. However, due to wasted time we have to supply people with water by water-carrier trucks. For the full solution of the problem we have to carry out capital reconstruction of the entire water supply system and construct a water reservoir. We have already started development works and soon will start projecting activities. Honorable Mr. President what is being done to reduce sharp between pensions of different categories of people? This issue is of great interest for many people. Leonid Grigoryan, worker of the shoe factory, Stepanakert You probably mean the fact that the pensions of the personnel of law enforcement organs and servicemen of the NKR Defense Army are higher than the rest of the society. This is because of the specific character of their work. As to increasing the volume of pensions then it is a separate issue, which cannot be solved in a short period of time. We have to do it gradually because the prerequisite for this is strong economy. By the way, along with the improvement of economic situation in the country the size of pension on average increases by 18-20 percent annually. This tendency will keep continuing. Taking advantage of the situation, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for what you has done for my family and myself. In 1996 I was illegally deprived of my 5-room apartment despite the fact that my husband was invalid of war and was awarded the medal of Martial Cross. Without your interference we would be still renting an apartment. You restored justice which I had been searching for ten years. You helped my family to restore my trust in life, people and the state. Let me thank you. My children Nana and Tigran are also grateful to you. I have been looking for an opportunity to thank you and it seems no have found it. I hope yo
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Headlines for September 01, 2006

NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASSIAN IS THE GUEST OF THE AZAT ARSTAKH
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Dear readers! On eve the 15th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic (NKR) the guest of the Azat Artsakh newspaper is NKR President Arkady Ghoukasyan, who answered your questions. We are grateful ...

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NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASSIAN IS THE GUEST OF THE AZAT ARSTAKH

NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASSIAN IS THE GUEST OF THE AZAT ARSTAKH

NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASSIAN IS THE GUEST OF THE AZAT ARSTAKH

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NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASSIAN IS THE GUEST OF THE AZAT ARSTAKH

NKR PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASSIAN IS THE GUEST OF THE AZAT ARSTAKH

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