NKR will take destiny into its own hands
Deputy of the HHK (Republican Party of Armenia) Artak Zakaryan doesn't consider the inclusion of the draft resolution on the "State in the seized territories of Azerbaijan" in the agenda of the UN General Assembly as a flaw in Armenia's foreign policy. Mr. Zakaryan told "A1+" that if guided by that logic, everything must be done to not let Azerbaijan lead its foreign policy.
Artak Zakaryan: This is one of the actions of Azerbaijan's foreign policy under the name of anti-Armenian propaganda, misinformation regarding the Karabakh peace process and distracting the international community's attention from the main issues related to the process.
"A1+": Do you think Armenia is doing enough for the Karabakh conflict settlement in the UN as it is for the solution to other issues?
A.Z.: We are working more actively, purposefully and effectively not only in the UN, but in interstate and multilateral relations as well and that has helped further specify Armenia's position on the Karabakh conflict.
"A1+": What is Armenia's position on the Karabakh conflict? Is it international recognition of the NKR's independence or the unification of the NKR and Armenia?
A.Z.: We want the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to exercise their right to self-determination and have the international community recognize the NKR as a subject of international law. After that, the NKR will take destiny into its own hands.
"A1+": Your fellow partisan Rafik Petrosyan recently announced that there are religious elements at the core of the Karabkah conflict and, taking that into account, Azerbaijan presented a draft resolution at the UN with the hope of receiving support from UN-member Muslim countries. Do you share that opinion?
A.Z.: Over 190 UN countries realize that any issue can be speculated. The countries' position according to which they are supporting Azerbaijan on religious grounds is subjective. This doesn't mean that they are reducing our chances. Besides religious relations, there are many other important issues on the agendas of interstate relations. Legal issues are at the core of the Karabakh conflict and, first and foremost, they are issues related to violations of human rights. Today we must be able to clearly argue that the most fundamental rights of 200,000 people living in the NKR must be restored.
"A1+": Do you think the draft resolution on "State of the seized territories of Azerbaijan" will make it to the UN Security Council?
A.Z.: Azerbaijan's wishes and capabilities don't always match.
"A1+": "Heritage" MP Larisa Alaverdyan recently announced that since Armenia didn't fulfill the demands in the resolutions adopted by the UN in 1993, the UN no longer accepts Armenia as a serious partner. In those resolutions it was stated that the Armenian forces must be dislocated from the NKR and its surrounding territories.
A.Z.: I don't think so. The facts and realities show that the UN treats Armenia very seriously. There are 4 consecutive UN resolutions that were adopted during the war imposed by Azerbaijan with the major purpose of setting a cease-fire. Azerbaijan could care less about those 4 resolutions, while Armenia has given its consent to the declaration of a cease-fire several times. Azerbaijan has not fulfilled the provisions stated in those resolutions to this day. There is a clear reality-the NKR forces have no guarantee from the international community that they will be able to meet the demands stated in the UN's advisory resolutions and dislocate the armed forces from those territories. It is very logical that the NKR currently places more importance on its security than fulfilling the UN resolutions.
"A1+": The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs visited the region once again. How is this visit differ from the rest?
A.Z.: Intermediary efforts are ongoing in the Karabakh peace process and they are based on the previous visits and announcements to bring the parties' positions closer.
"A1+": Do you think the Co-Chairs are familiar with the views of average citizens of the NKR?
A.Z.: I am certain that NKR President Bako Sahakyan also presents citizens' views during his meetings with the Co-Chairs.
"A1+": "Heritage" is preparing to present draft on Armenia's recognition of the NKR's independence during the upcoming NA session and some of your partisans have already expressed negative views on that. What do you have to say?
A.Z.: Every Armenian dreams of the international recognition of the NKR, but rushing is not always justified. The current relations don't presuppose that Armenia should hastily recognize the NKR's independence.
Interview by Victoria Abrahamyan
