A1+
`LIBERATED TERRITORIES ARE REFUGEES’ HOMELAND’
[06:54 pm] 04 July, 2007
Unless the issue of Armenian refugees is settled, the liberated
territories of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic should be regarded as a
compensation for material and moral losses. The territories should
become Armenian refugees’ new homeland, Arman Melikyan, the Advisor to
the NKR President announced July 4. According to Arman Melikyan, his
statement doesn’t greatly differ from official Stepanakert’s
stance. The head of the NKR Department on Refugee and Migration issues
also made such a statement.
In my opinion, the best way to settle the NKR conflict is through
national and regional division. Azeris will not return to their former
settlements and Armenians will not settle in Baku, Sumgait, and
Kirovabad. Armenian refugees have already turned to the NKR President
with the request to compensate their losses.
Arman Melikyan regards this step as an act of confidence towards NKR
authorities. Actually, the have given the mandate to the Karabakh
government to act on their behalf, and it is very important.
The support of 500 thousand people to the NKR authorities and the
assistance rendered to these people can serve a serious ground for the
Karabakh conflict resolution.
The liberated territories must be given to the refugees with the right
to property. The refugees can either live there or sell them. It is
upon them to decide. The lands are fertile. Many companies and
businessmen are interested in their purchase. They can legally
conclude a bargain and set up their own business there. The question
must be shifted to the economic sphere.
To A1+’s question why the issue of refugees’ settlement has been
ignored up to now, Arman Melikyan answered, `The question should be
addressed to the negotiation participants who deal with the settlement
issues. This a shortcoming of the negotiation process which can be
recovered after the NKR becomes the key actor of the
negotiations. Neither Terry Devis nor anyone else can forbid 500
thousand Armenian refugees to come to the NKR and become NKR
citizens.’
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
