Aravot, Armenia
Nov 20 2008
Serzh Sargsyan scared the people of Artsakh [Karabakh]?
During his recent visit to Karabakh [Armenian President] Serzh
Sargsyan surprised the local population, particularly by the
unprecedented security measures. Quoting his sources in Karabakh,
Aleksandr Kananyan, a member of the Miatsum National Initiative [which
calls for Nagornyy Karabakh’s unification with Armenia], said this
yesterday [19 November] in the Urbat [Friday] discussion club.
He said that the life in Stepanakert [the capital of Karabakh] was
paralysed on those days, and citizens, who could not get to their
workplaces [due to the security measures], were surprised, saying:
"Why is Serzh Sargsyan so afraid? He is among his compatriots."
According to Mr Kananyan’s reliable information, Serzh Sargsyan had "a
secret meeting behind the closed doors with the Nagornyy Karabakh
leadership and top brass, during which he said in an unquestioning
tone that he had decided to resolve the Karabakh issue. The settlement
will be according to the Madrid principles; the Armenian troops will
leave five territories [Azerbaijani districts adjacent to Karabakh],
then a referendum will be held on the status [of Karabakh] two years
later, and afterwards Kalbacar) [an Armenian-controlled Azerbaijani
district in between Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh] will also be ceded
to Azerbaijan. This is a new idea."
According to the speaker [Kananyan], attempts are already being made
to disseminate this approach among the population of Karabakh via
police and village leaders, "impressing them that in case they do not
agree to this, they will again turn out to be at war." Kananyan hopes
that the people of Karabakh will not fall into this delusion, because
they realize very well that the probability of a war would be high if
such a settlement plan [is approved]. As a result of this plan, in
fact, Azerbaijan would get a positional strategic advantage. Kananyan
is sure that there is no foreign pressure upon the Armenian government
and the Armenian government goes for the existing settlement option
voluntarily – being guided not by national but by its own business
interests.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
