“The process of dialogue has been frozen because one of the parties deemed it dangerous,” said Karabakh committee member Ashot Manucharyan during yesterday’s press-conference when commenting on the proposed dialogue between the authorities and the government. According to him, the dialogue may be frozen because of Russia as it may not be in Russia’s interests. “It is not difficult to guess who was the godfather of that proposed dialogue between the opposition and government because that process was guided by the US, thus in order not to have problems with Russia the US may freeze that process,” said Manucharyan. He believes the process was frozen due to external impulses as well. “In our country all processes are stipulated from outside,” he said and added that he did not believe that the people in the ANC and government were inexperienced. “I don’t think ether of the parties could bring the process to creation of a committee if there was no guaranteed process,” said A. Manucharyan and added that the process of dialogue can continue if it contains issues that are important for the country. “At that time the dialogue will continue as a result of inner pressure,” he said. Ashot Manucharyan believes that in Armenia there will be a hot autumn with new powers and new impetus, which will influence on other powers as well. “It is anew mobilization period and new political qualities are coming up, thus a new political environment may be formed. In the civic sector new generations are growing up with different types, and very soon they will be able to govern and they will be able to implement independent policy,” he said and emphasized that these groups were creating a philosophy. He said that Sardarapat initiative was one of such powers. Concerning the newly established Free Democrats party Ashot Manucharyan said that time would show what their party would be able to do. Concerning the current phase of Karabakh conflict settlement Manucharyan said, “Thanks to God, I think that it is approaching the end. There have not been so intensive and serious processes connected with the conflict so far.” Manucharyan says that the process connected with the conflict settlement is positive but believes that the principles of Madrid are tragic for Armenia and Karabakh. “There was time when we used to formulate answers for Aliyev and he had something to tell his people. Armenia’s policy should be changed drastically. Armenia has become a soccer field that others use to play,” said Manucharyan and discussed the issue of conflict more in the context of geopolitical developments. According to him, the interests of Iran and Russia coincide in the region but currently Russia pursues its current goals in the region, which is not in Armenia’s interests. “Iran considers that the territories liberated by Armenian powers are territories that are under Armenia’s control, and if these lands are under the control of others, there are a lot of people that would like to live there,” said Manucharyan and added that Iran has shown that it has a tool too. Manucharyan also said that the issue of Karabakh conflict settlement was connected with inner political issues and it could change drastically at any time.
