VISIT TO NKR

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
29 Oct 04

The public organization “Project on Transitional Democracies” and
the German Foundation of Marshal implement a joint program aiming,
according to the chairman of organization Bruce Jackson, to convey
the importance of the South Caucasian countries and urgency for
a rapid settlement of the conflicts to the leaders of the Atlantic
countries. On October 26 the delegation formed of influential statesmen
and diplomats of a number of European countries, the chairman of
NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a member of the French parliament,
the former foreign minister of Spain, the former advisor to the
president of Greece, representatives of the newspapers “Financial
Times”, “Figaro” and “Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung” arrived in
Stepanakert. The delegation was headed by Bruce Jackson who is the
representative of the USA Committee on NATO. Speaking about the aims
of the project, Bruce Jackson mentioned that each delegate has his
goals, and they will present their impression from the visit and
their suggestions to the leaders of their countries. Bruce Jackson
said all of them share the opinion that promotion of democracy
in the South Caucasus is becoming increasingly important for the
security of Europe. He mentioned that it is especially important in
the context of involvement of the South Caucasian countries in the
program “Wider Europe: New Neighbourhood” and recognition of the
South Caucasus as the chief factor for stability in Europe by NATO
at the summit in Istanbul. This speaks for the necessity of a rapid
settlement of the Karabakh and other South Caucasian conflicts. Bruce
Jackson also mentioned that this necessity is dictated by the changes
(related to the elections) which may take place in the government of
the USA, as well as the European structures in the near future. The
visit of the delegation began at Baku, continued in Yerevan and
Stepanakert and will end in Tbilisi, South Osia and Abkhazia. The
members of the delegation meet with the top officials, presidents and
defence ministers of these countries, as well as representatives of
public organizations. In Karabakh the delegation visited the border
area and witnessed the ravage there. The head of the delegation
mentioned that their impression from the visit to the borderline
will be another argument for the rapid settlement of the issue,
which they will convey to their governments. Bruce Jackson refused to
answer the questions referring to his personal attitude towards the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict saying that it is not within the
competence of the delegation. He pointed out that they will try to
cut the red tape on the problem of the Karabakh conflict among other
South Caucasian issues, and have it included among the priorities of
the American and European leaders. Besides, the aim of the program is
to prepare the international community for the possible settlement of
the conflict. In reference to the question of participation of Nagorni
Karabakh in talks Bruce Jackson said he could not see why Karabakh was
left out of the talks and pointed out that the settlement will be more
effective if the opinion of the people is taken into account. The visit
of this delegation to the South Caucasian region means much. Obviously
the USA and Europe have decided to attend to the issues of the region
seriously and expedite the peacemaking processes there. It is not known
yet whether the Karabakh conflict sides will have to make compromises,
they will be offered to create a South Caucasian federation after the
example of the European Union or there will be other solutions. One
thing is clear that the imposed settlement is not too far. And God
forbid that the settlement be like that in Kosovo or Cyprus.

AA. 29-10-2004