“2006 will be a favorable year for the resumption and development of the process of regulating the Karabagh conflict. This is mainly stipulated by the inner political conditions of the belligerent parties. I think certain steps will be undertaken and the process will show the ultimate results of negotiations”, said the Minister of Defense of Nagorno-Karabagh, commander of the defense army, general-lieutenant Seyran Ohanyan during the press conference on January 18.
By speaking about the recent conversations regarding the deployment of peacekeepers the minister mentioned, “I think the best and the most prepared peacekeeper is the defense army, which, within many years, was able to maintain peace in the region without the interference of a third party. We shouldn’t be afraid of the deployment of international peacekeeping troops because the name itself, “peacekeeper” means that they will continue to maintain peace in the region”. In response to the question concerning the visit of the representatives of the OSCE high planning group to Karabagh, Seyran Ohanyan mentioned that the group will be conducting surveys along the border. “Thus they are going to survey the situation of the first line of the border. After the surveys certain discussions and dialogs will take place”, says Mr. Ohanyan.
Recently in one of his speeches the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan considered the discussion process in the framework of Minsk Group as an imitation. In this regard Mr. Ohanyan said, “I don’t think that the discussions process of these years is just an imitation. I have always been for solving the Karabagh conflict by establishing peace in the end. But the negotiations must take place on the basis of what people want. It can’t be done without knowing the opinion of our people. The fact that we have peace on the border virtually states that this was not an imitation. Thus within years both parties tried to peacefully solve the issue”.
By talking about the war-threatening announcements of the neighboring country- Mr. Ohanyan mentioned that Azerbaijan has always come up with such announcements saying that if they don’t succeed in peaceful methods they will use their army as a resource. “I think our army is no less professional than Azerbaijan’s. Due to the balance of armies we are currently living in peaceful conditions”, said Mr. Ohanyan.
While talking about the recommendations of Hayk Kotanjan, Advisor to the RA Minister of Defense, the minister also mentioned the issue of getting back lands. “As head of armed forces I must say that we will fight for each inch of territory if Azerbaijan begins any military action. At present our army does its best to keep peace on the border and strengthening the border in order to resist any military action. And not only resist but also counterattack. Other than that I don’t think we will do anything that our people would protest against, meaning we will not start a war to imperil our people’s security”. When talking about the proposed options regarding the return of refugees and determination of the status of Karabagh through a referendum, the commander said, “There can be nothing said about the return of refugees until we solve the issue of the status of Karabagh. I am personally for the conduct of a referendum because it will enable us to peacefully solve the conflict”.
To the question as to whether the minister is going to be moved to Yerevan to work, Mr. Ohanyan answered that the military officer never gets to choose a job, he is always appointed from above.