NKR President: Bilateral Format Of Talks Is Destructive

NKR PRESIDENT: BILATERAL FORMAT OF TALKS IS DESTRUCTIVE

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 6 2007

A bilateral format of Karabagh talks is destructive, Nagorno-Karabagh
Republic President Arkady Ghoukassian stated at a briefing held
in Yerevan June 5 after a meeting with OSCE Chair-in-Office Miguel
Angel Moratinos.

"I believe everyone is of the opinion that a bilateral format
of talks – Armenia-Azerbaijan – is destructive. Such a format is
illogical. The matter concerns Nagorno-Karabagh people’s fate, so
Nagorno-Karabagh should immediately participate in the negotiation
process", Nagorno-Karabagh President stated.

Answering a question if the issue referring to Nagorno-Karabagh’s
possible involvement in the conflict settlement process was considered
at the meeting with Miguel Angel Moratinos, NKR President noted
there had not been a meeting with the mediators or the international
community’s representatives, when the issue had not been discussed. NKR
President added the negotiation process that should have been held
according to a decision rendered at a Budapest summit in 1994 did not
exist. "Then, you remember, a decision was rendered and Azerbaijani
President also signed it. According to the decision there are three
conflicting parties, and the Co-Chairs were to start talks with all
the parties. However, there is no process within OSCE Minsk Group’s
frames", Nagorno-Karabagh President stated.

When asked who was to blame that Nagorno-Karabagh is out of the
talks’ format – Armenia, Azerbaijan or OSCE – Arkady Ghoukassian
stated it was everyone’s guilt. However, he noted there was no
tragedy that Karabagh did not participate in the talks. "In case
Armenia and Azerbaijan render a decision that will be acceptable
for Nagorno-Karabagh people, it is no problem. If you remember,
I used to say: let Spain and Portugal hold negotiations instead of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. If Nagorno-Karabagh’s independence will be
recognized and other issues will be settled at the talks, as we wish,
it will not be a problem". However, Nagorno-Karabagh President doubted
if the issue could be solved within the frames of a bilateral format.

"Unfortunately, I do not think the issue will be settled within the
frames of this format. Everyone is aware of the fact that such a
format is not realistic. I am 100 percent sure Nagorno-Karabagh will
sit at a negotiating table", Arkady Ghoukassian noted.