Neither Armenia nor Karabakh will wage a war
"We believe that the Karabakh conflict should be resolved solely on the basis of human rights and the will of the Karabakhi people. Only in that case the settlement will be everlasting and peaceful," RA President Serzh Sargsyan announced in the British Royal Institute of International Affairs.
"For Karabakhi people an alternative for the everlasting settlement is their forced return to Azerbaijan which will inevitably lead to Armenians' displacement from Karabakh.
During the last 20 years Azerbaijan has labeled Karabakhi people as "criminals." Hence, taking into account the consequences of the alternative we exclude any concession in the reconciliation process that could endanger Karabakhi people's survival and security, as well as their right to a dignified life."
In his speech Mr. Sargsyan reminded that Karabakh has never been part of independent Azerbaijan. Karabakh was forcibly annexed to Azerbaijan during the Soviet era but Karabakhi people quitted the USSR given the first opportunity.
I want to address a rhetoric question to all those who consider themselves supporters of territorial wholeness. Where were you when borders were being changed during the collapse of the Soviet Union? Why do you think Azerbaijan can leave the USSR while Karabakh cannot? Why do you think big empires can split while small ones cannot?
The weapons the Azerbaijanis are storing will be used for some purpose. A question arises here -where and when.
Armenia and Karbakh have never waged a war and will not do it in the future. We hate wars with all our hearts and we have a serious reason for it-our generation had to face death, see and lose more than they expected. At the same time we understand that we must be ready for a war if others long for it. We cannot close an eye on bellicose threats of our neighbour."
