– Do you agree with the viewpoint of the government, according to which the publication of the principles of Madrid is favorable for the Armenian side. There is an opinion that for the first time the right of NKR’s self-recognition is enacted and through the referendum the people will reach a full independence. The principle of the local government is emphasized.
– There is only one provision in the principles publicized by the media, which can be favorable for Armenia and especially the provision brought up by you. For the first time they are speaking about local self-government. It is an accepted term and in the territory of the Council of Europe all the countries have local governments. There are regions, communities in Armenia, which are self-governed locally. In this case this means some level of autonomy for the NKR, which is always good. And the referendum is a mixed formulation, which is not clear where it is taking us and what laws are going to be applied. In general all the points are a recede compared to the previous ones. If in past they were speaking about the removal of the of the troops from the territory of the NKR now they are speaking about the return of the liberated territories to Azerbaijan. This is a very dangerous formulation because the removal of the troops means who is going to substitute them in the region. For the first time they are speaking that the status of Azerbaijan is going to be retrieved. The previous government and Kocharyan, Oskanyan that the right of the NKR for self-determination must be respected but now they are speaking of some self-government. Or for example, they were speaking for months about the importance of Lachin corridor and Kelbajar. Now they are speaking that it is necessary to have a land road. What do they mean by opening a land communication? No one has closed it. Is it planned that the NKR troops must be removed from the region, lose the land communication with Armenia and then apply to Azerbaijan to get permission to open it? Now the problem is not what they signed in Moscow. The thing is that the parties are quite close to solution and the principles which are proposed and imposed are absolutely unacceptable for the Armenian side. And the dangerous thing is that the presidents of the three co-chairing countries. According to all the interpretations they are speaking of the fact that only 1-2 provisions are not consented between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
– In this case do the interests of the co-chairs mostly fit with the ones of Azerbaijan or Armenia? Wasn’t there always the opinion that these countries are interested in this conflict due to the Azerbaijani oil?
– This also matters. All three follow their national interests and one day it can match with the Armenian interests and the next day – with the Azerbaijani ones. No country, which respects itself, can pursue the national interest of a third country. At this moment the national interests of these countries tell them to find a quick solution to the conflict. According to the publicized interests we may say that none of that matches the national interest of Armenia. And if it contradicts our interests and we are conflicting side then all that is more favorable for our opponent.
– Do you find it possible that the Armenian government will be made to sign this document?
– Yes, all the developments show that such an approach already exists. Recently they speak too much that the parties will not be pressured on. If there is no pressure that it makes no sense to deny that. The ones, who deny that, should understand that if they are denying it there should be something hidden under it. If the three co-chairing countries make a decision to get to the quick decision then there will be pressure for sure.
– Does the government have any choice to resist?
– In order to resist it is necessary that the NKR side and people have a clear attitude and participate in all the processes. The actual participant of the conflict should decide its fate; discuss its future and the future of its children. And if someone has a problem with legitimacy it is going to be a problem. And our government has a problem with internal and external legitimacy. In this case there shouldn’t be a weak government. Armenia needs a legitimate government and the NKR must mandatorily participate in the negotiation process. Only through the government will it be possible to resolve this complicated situation.