Samvel
Babayan about Karabakh conflict-You were taking part actively in the process
of changes of the authorities in 1998 the official reasons of which were discrepancies
round Karabakh conflict. The settlement of the Karabakh conflict was delayed for
7 years as a result. Will we win or loose during those 7 years?- I’m not introduced
to today’s negotiation activities, I don’t know what issues are being discussed
now, so I can’t say what we have reached to. As regards to the changes of the
authorities in ’98 then there was a principle problem- the status of Karabakh
and its neighbor territories- I have the same opinion; Neither Karabakh nor certain
territories can be the part of Azerbaijan.- But what territories can be the
part of Azerbaijan?- It isn’t right to declare beforehand what we’ll give
and what we’ll take when the issue still must be negotiated. There must be a situation,
which must provide the security of the Karabakh population.- Do you see the
opportunity of settlement of Karabakh issue?- I don’t see in the present stage.
There is such an economical and political situation both in Armenia and Azerbaijan
that the authorities of those countries can’t make concessions.- Must this
conflict be settled or we must keep this situation 50 or 100 years more?-
I consider that it must be settled and as soon as better for us and for South
Caucasus in general. For this region to develop economically the military tension
must be weakened and the Karabakh conflict must be settled. If these three states
intend to be integrated in the European Union first they must solve all such kind
of problems, then integrate economically and politically with each other. Having
such prospects we must settle the Karabakh conflict. But to settle not to the
prejudice of any party. First of all the independence and security of the people
of Nagorno-Karabakh is important for us.- Almost everyday the Azerbaijani
side threatens to solve the issue by military way. Do you consider those declarations
serious?- I think Azerbaijanis preparing to take steps for military activities.
It tries to improve its military positions and save up artillery and other ammunitions.
That means it makes some preparations in case of failure of the negotiations.
And they form such a background in the world that the concession is impossible
that the Armenians want more than it is possible to give and they have right to
attack in favor territorial integrity. It is another question whether Azerbaijan
is ready for the war. Maybe it only seems to them. And the problem of Armenia
and Karabakh is to have such an army and economy to prevent the enemy of taking
such steps. Because if the war begins, new victims, invalids and distractions
are it isn’t important who will win. It must be so powerful to prevent the war.Aram
Abrahamian
