The Karabagh National Assembly factions call the 1991-94 Azerbaijani-Karabagh armed war as Karabagh’s aggression towards Azerbaijan, while Karabagh’s post-war activities are viewed as the application of Karabagh’s self-defense right constituted in the 51st article of the UN charter. As for the current events going on in the region, they consider that to be a result of the Azerbaijani aggression. During the Karabagh parliamentary hearings yesterday, MPs accepted an announcement, which will be sent to the OSCE member countries and the European Council.
“Azerbaijan, as an aggressor country, is responsible for the war that it started and the results; it is responsible for the hundred thousands of people of the conflicting sides, the refugees, the people that have vacated as a result of the war. It is also responsible for compensating the material and moral damages caused, including the loss of the homeland. The Bishkek ceasefire contracts, which are documented for the Karabagh authorities and intermediaries, and the signatures of the officials of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the conclusion of the OSCE Budapest congress (where Karabagh has been recognized as a conflicting side) and other documents, serve as a firm basis to apply to the OSCE Ministers’ Council, respect Karabagh’s participation in the conflict negotiations without which no resolution will be considered legal.”
The Armenian parliamentary delegation, headed by Armen Rustamyan, was also participating in the hearings.
According to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Karabagh Georgi Petrosyan, Karabagh is currently in this situation due to the fact that the international community still hasn’t recognized the results of the independence referendum of Karabagh.
“This is what has led Azerbaijan up to the point where it is actually thinking about resolving the conflict through war,” he said and added that Karabagh has to blame the international community for such an immoral act. That is necessary because as of today, there are proposals, which not only solve legal rights, but rather the issues concerning the results of a possible war and bring the situation back to status-quo. According to G. Petrosyan, intermediaries must propose that both sides be willing not to restart a war, after which it will be clear as to what arguments each side brings up. The minister brought up the decision of Karabagh and said that they won’t accept anything that goes against the people’s will. Azerbaijan must be recognized as an aggressor not only towards Karabagh, but also to Azerbaijan itself. According to co-chairman of the “88’ Movement” political party, National Assembly MP Gegham Baghdasaryan, Karabagh benefited having the Armenian authorities take on the responsibility of resolving the conflict politically. This should have given Karabagh enough time to focus on stabilizing the state, developing the social/economic status, structuring civil society and ensuring a prosperous future for the people. But, according to Baghdasaryan, the Karabagh authorities didn’t take advantage of their time and lost that chance.
“Based on all this, it’s apparent that the Karabagh authorities were fairly content with not participating in the negotiations process and were simply satisfied with the fact that Karabagh’s participation is recalled from time to time. But throughout the years, the press kept stating that Karabagh is excluded from the negotiations, while Karabagh authorities denied that. Suddenly, one sweet day the same authorities accept the truth and emphasize even more that it’s all up to the Armenian authorities,” said Baghdasaryan.
G. Baghdasaryan is of the opinion that Karabagh shouldn’t throw the whole burden on the shoulders of the Armenian authorities because “their burden is heavy as it is”, but rather find ways of helping Armenia in securing the welfare of both Armenian states.
During the hearings, all speakers emphasized the fact that Karabagh has to make the final decision. According to Shavarsh Kocharyan, Armenia’s role must be clear.
“Armenia guarantees the independence and security of Karabagh. Armenia must raise the Karabagh issue in other countries around the world, but it should never substitute for Karabagh,” he said.
However, according to Armen Rustamyan, the Armenian side should do like the Azerbaijani.
“If Azerbaijan wants a war, then we must also want a war. If it’s ready for compromises, we also have to be ready.”
In his speech, politician Alexander Manasyan emphasized the role that experimental groups play and said:
“Oral speech is not enough, everything must be written on paper.”
According to him, we should stop talking about the recognition of Karabagh’s right to be autonomous.
“Karabagh’s right to be autonomous has been recognized a long time ago and that right must be respected,” said the politician.
P.S. President of Karabagh Arkadi Ghoukassyan didn’t take part in the hearings because he was taking part in summarizing the military training results in Karabagh at the time.