AN INTERVIEW WITH NKR MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

On March 15th NKR President Bako Sahakian met with the stuff of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our interview with NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgy Petrosian was round these and last political events. - During the meeting of the NKR President with the ministry's stuff was underlined, that the ministry should not only be engaged in the functions connected with the foreign policy and negotiating process, but also it should be involved in other spheres of the country's vital activity. We ask to detail the frameworks of your forthcoming activity. - The meeting was very useful and effective. New approaches of NKR President Bako Sahakian towards the foreign department were specified. Actually we were offered to use a new format. We knew two primary problems - negotiating process on peace settlement of Karabakh conflict and our active work in the question of international recognition of NKR. During the meeting one more interesting sphere was outlined for us: it was systematization and comparison of all other departments' works acting in NKR, having a relation to foreign economic relations. The other important theme concerned information policy. Serious debate concerning the form of realization and systematization of this policy was developed. I think, this conversation will be still continued, but actually before the MFA a task has been set to work out a new form of relations with other organizations engaged in that sphere, which will give a great result. The third question concerned expansion of our representations abroad. For solution of this problem a new format of activity, structural changes in the MFA are required. - On March 14th General Assembly of the UN discussed the offer of Azerbaijan connected with Karabakh conflict settlement. Please your comments on the given question. - I think, a rather absurd case took place, when the offer of Minsk Group, that it is impossible to represent unilateral offer to the UN, was rejected by Azerbaijan and as a result a very important thing took place. Azerbaijan set a task, as a result 39 countries voted for that offer, and about 150 countries abstained or voted against (basic countries of the European Union were among them). Co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group also voted against. I think, Azerbaijan has got a distinct signal, that forms of unilateral pressure do not pass. This is the first. The second, I think, that Azerbaijan has tried to prove its own people, that it can appear before the society in such form. But important thing took place: Azerbaijan has once again testified, that is against peace settlement and is partial to achieve its purposes by a method of pressure. And from that viewpoint our ministries of either RA, or NKR have rather serious tasks. Actually NKR President has set a task before us: to conduct a more active foreign policy. And it concerns our two republics. Azerbaijan, making use of the innerpolitical situation created in Armenia, realizes a complex program. It is seriously concerned about recognition of Kosovo's independence by a number of countries and takes any step to prove first of all its people and then the world community, that the precedent of Kosovo does not extend on Karabakh, completely ignoring the fact, that negotiations have proceeded for years, the axis of which is our status. If we follow intently the step of Azerbaijan: to continue to keep Armenia in a blockade, to organize constant provocation in Azerbaijan-Karabakh contact line, to make an information war, we'll see, that Azerbaijan is in panic and anxiety caused by the fact, that it has reached a deadlock. By results of the UN's votes, actually Azerbaijan has suffered the next defeat, though it tries to prove its people, that it is a moral victory. Certainly, it doesn't mean, that it will not leave any influence. It will leave. Therefor, a task is set before us, not to give a counter-attack, but to go more steadily by own way. - Is it possible to compare the step of Azerbaijan in the UN with its encroachment on border? - It once again shows the aims set before this country's management: it hasn't turned out well to compromise Karabakh by an attack and to celebrate its moral victory. It tried in the UN to influence on the world community and it actually again failed. and the latter was much bigger stroke for him. - What influence have Armenian last weeks' events on the country's international image and in that context whether they can affect on Karabakh conflict settlement? - The post-election situation of republic of Armenia is sorrowful. Taking the opportunity, I condole with the families of victims. Any serious disagreement, which occurs in a country, affects negatively on this country. I think, that last steps of Azerbaijan have been caused by these events, when the moment has come to reap the biggest fruits. - Whether intensity created recently in the contact line is connected with innerpolitical situation of Armenia or with forthcoming presidential elections of Azerbaijan, which will be in autumn? - Of course, I have noted in the beginning, that Azerbaijan makes a complex program - to try to take advantage hastily of the created situation connected with recognition of Kosovo and innerpolitical situation of Armenia. Coincidences are obvious. On March 1st in Erevan post-election actions took place, during which, unfortunately, there were also victims. And on March 3-4 armed forces of Azerbaijan waged an attack. We demanded from the co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group to carry out an urgent monitoring in the contact line. Azerbaijan didn't allow the group to pass its territory. Again a proof, which tries to strain the relations, the result of which, in my opinion, from psychological viewpoint is very bad for Azerbaijan. I don't exclude, that for decision of innerpolitical question and an out put from undisturbing condition Azerbaijan will keep intensity. We take corresponding steps for informing the OSCE acting co-chairs. And we also expect, as we have noted in special statement of the MFA, the OSCE will give a political estimation about these events. I think, that the visit of Mr A.Kasprzhik to the contact line will give bases to estimate more objectively, instead of as always putting an equal-sign, accusing both parties. This case is rather absurd. We've very precisely told, that if OSCE doesn't give a political estimation about this event, so with that it will encourage Azerbaijan, which will give a free to its aspirations. In the end, what is more important in that region, if not peace? We want peace not because we are weak, but because it is profitable for all. Were the victims, which Azerbaijan had in the contact line, necessary for their parents? What problems do they solve today? Territorial integrity? Tries to put pressure? They will get an adequate pressure against the pressure. And it should serve a lesson for them. Svetlana Khachatrian interviewed
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Headlines for March 20, 2008

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