Author: Antranik Varosian

THE ONLY WAY FOR KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT IS MUTUAL CONCESSIONS, VARTAN OSKANIAN CONSIDERS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 05 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “In spite of all
conversations about the failure of the meeting in Rambouillet, the
negotiations process is alive and there is still an opportunity to
continue it and to fix progress,” Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian declared at the April 5 joint press conference with Special
Representative of European Union on South Caucasian Countries
Piter Semneby. The Minister again repeated that the year 2006 is
very convenient for achieving progress in the negotiations process
and emphasized that we should work in the direction of achieving
progress in spite of the existing difficulties. “If Azerbaijan shows
the necessary will, I think we can achieve progress soon”. According
to Vartan Oskanian, it is desirable to achieve progress in the year
2006 but we should not exclude that “we can do something in 2007,
too”. As for the conversations about holding a meeting between the
Presidents in May, the Minister said that soon Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadiarov is to meet with American Co-chair of OSCE
Minsk Group Steven Mann and we can speak about the Presidents’ next
meeting only after “rapprochement is noticed in the positions of the
sides”. In response to Noyan Tapan correspondent’s question, whether
it comes that the Armenian side that gained a victory in the war is
more pliable than Azerbaijan, the Minister said that he does not agree
to this point of view. “I think our position is a good example and
lesson for Azeris as the conflict has no settlement by war but should
be settled through negotiations. And the only way for the conflict
settlement through negotiations is mutual concessions”. Meanwhile,
the Minister admitted that indeed Armenia “has made its part of
compromises” in the recent period. “Today we are on the frontier
line and have no place to go back. The moment came when Azerbaijan
should take the respective step for us to move the process ahead and
take it to the end”. P.Semneby said that the year 2006 will be very
important and EU should see what it can do for the settlement of the
conflict. As for non-ceasing bellicose statements of the Azerbaijani
side, P.Semneby stated: “I do not like these statements and during my
visit to Azerbaijan I declared that any settlement of the conflict
by war will have destructive consequences”. As regards the point of
view that the conflict parties deliberately drag out the negotiations
process for the purpose of gaining time, the EU Special Representative
declared that none of the sides will gain from the dealy of the
settlement. “I am sure that for Armenia this is continuation of the
process of isolation and for Azerbaijan this will mean increase of
the possibility of temptation to apply force and this is a dangerous
way. I think both of the sides realize their responsibility”.

BAKU CALLED ARMENIA AGGRESSOR SO MANY TIMES, THAT BELIEVED IT
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.03.2006 23:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The format of peace talks over the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict has changed during the 7-8 years, Chair of External Relations
Commission of the National Assembly of Armenia in 1995-1999 Hovhannes
Igityan stated in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In
his words, both subjective and objective factors were present in
this case. “In 1998 new President Robert Kocharian came to power and
the foreign policy of changed naturally. New authorities pursued the
policy of bilateral talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which suited
rather well to the opposing party. The methodology of the conflict
changed. Azerbaijan started calling Armenia as an aggressor country
exclusively. Azeris said it so many times, that they started believing
it even themselves,” Igityan underscored.
In his opinion, each new meeting of the two presidents and mediators
only legalized that new format. “The OSCE MG accepted those changes
with pleasure – there was one problem solved. However, it should not
be forgotten that signatures of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the NKR are
under the Bishkek agreement on cease-fire. As of the participation
of the so-called “Azeri community” of NK, lead by Nizami Bakhmanov,
in the talks, it is absurd at all. Nizami Bakhmanov is not a juridical
person and is not entitled to represent anyone,” Igityan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgia’s Ombudsman conducted press-conference regarding Tsalka events
On the 11th of March a press conference was conducted in public defender’s
office regarding the incident that took place on the 9th of March as a
result of which Mr. Gevorg Gevorgyan was killed and other ethnic Armenian
citizens of Georgia were injured to various degrees.
According to official data, five suspects were detained by the Police of
Georgia and other suspects are searched for.
The incident provoked a mass protest of ethnic Armenian residents of Javakhk
region, which later grew into violence. The demonstration was dismissed by
special security service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
based in other regions of Georgia.
The next day after the collision a group of representatives of the Public
Defender of Georgia arrived in Tsalka.
After having preliminarily studied the case the Ombudsman of Georgia Mr.
Sozar Subari stated that the conflict happened based on ‘common’ grounds.
Public defender called to let government officials finish the investigation
of Tsalka events without any pressure or hindrance.
Mr. Karen Elchyan, President of the Armenian Centre of Cooperation of
Georgia, has also come out with a statement. He expressed condolences to the
family of the murder victim and presented the official position of his
organization. He stated that there are two different versions of the
motivation of the crime, and one of the versions, namely the ethnic hatred
motivation, is held by the victims of the crime.
Responding to a journalist’s question regarding Javakhk Armenians’ requests
of autonomy for Javakhk he noted that such requests are entirely lawful and
are based on the principles of federalism and territorial integrity of
state. Residents of the region, he stated, are convinced that granting
Javakhk autonomy would contribute to fulfillment of their obligations and
rights as of citizens of Georgia.
The Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese of Georgia has also commented on the
events in Tsalka. The Assistant to the Head of the Diocese of Armenian
Apostolic Church, Mr. Levon Isakhanyan supported the position of Mr. Karen
Elchyan regarding the existence of two versions of motivation of the crime.
He added that such crimes are consequence of anti-Armenian hysteria,
launched by the means of Georgian mass-media.
On behalf of the Diocese, he called for the appropriate government bodies to
pay sufficient attention to the problems of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Diocese of Georgia, interethnic relations and defending rights of the ethnic
minorities residing in Georgia.
Read Russian version:
© Armenia.Ge
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST 5 VOLUMES OF SERIES “MATENAGIRK HAYOTS” COME OUT
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 11 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The presentation of
the first five volumes of the series “Matenagirk Hayots” (“Manuscript
Armenian”) took place on October 3 at the American University of
Armenia (AUA). “Matenagirk” is an unprecedented manual in the history
of Armenology that envisages to publish the examination texts of the
whole medieval Armenian literature with the use of scientific and
technical achievements of the 21st century.
The first two volumes of the manuscript series, in which the literature
of the 5th century is summarized, were presented in 2003.
Now another three volumes that represent a summary of the 6th and
7th centuries and contain 148 works by more than 50 authors have
been published.
The speakers were unanimous in the opinion that a really monumental
work elevating Armenology to a new qualitative level has been done.
“The Digital Library” of Armenian literature that was created under
the direction of Meruzhan Karapetian and received in 2001 an award
of the RA President forms the work’s basis.
“This is the most valuable work financed by the Gyulbekian Fund in
Armenia,” Professor Paruyr Muradian noted. The publication costs were
covered by the Catholicosate of the Great Cilician House.
Alexan Hakobian, editor-in-chief of the volumes on the 6th and 7th
centuries, presented the principles of the group’s work, which allow
to come as close as possible to the original texts of the manuscripts,
most of which were preserved in the form of late centuries’ copies
with numerous distortions during their copying.
“Thanks to this work the Armenologists all over the world received
an instrument meeting the requirements of time,” Michael Stone,
Professor of Jerusalem University, said.
The computer version of the work has voluminous glossaries that
provide researchers with unprecedented opportunities.
Ashot Melkonian, Director of the Institute of History of the RA
Academy of Sciences, and Harutyun Armenian, President of the AUA,
expressed their concern about the possibility to continue this most
important work.

LIBERATION OF OCCUPIED LAND POSSIBLE ONLY WITH POWERFUL MILITARY – ALIYEV
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 6 2005
Baku, October 5, AssA-Irada
Azerbaijan is seeking a peaceful settlement of the Upper Garabagh
conflict but no results have been achieved in this area yet,
which prompts the country to continue strengthening its military
power, President Ilham Aliyev said at the ceremony of opening a
new administrative building of the Special State Guard Service on
Wednesday.
Aliyev pointed out the need for establishing a strong military
potential. “Only powerful Azerbaijan army will achieve liberation
of the country’s territories. If the peace talks turn out fruitless,
the occupied lands will be freed through military action,” he said.
President Aliyev said the government is increasing military spending
every year. Whereas military expenses made up $175 million in 2004, the
figure is $300 million this year and will reach $600 million in 2006.
The President also praised the activity of the State Guard Service.
“The employees of the Service ensure my security. This means that the
stability and security of Azerbaijan is reliably protected,” he said.
Aliyev said the national guard plays an important role in ensuring the
security of oil and gas pipelines, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
main export pipeline to take Azeri oil to world markets.
In conclusion of the ceremony, President Aliyev awarded several
military men, presenting them with keys to new apartments.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA HOPES TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE “GENOCIDE” IN EU ENTRY TALKS
Mediamax news agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2005
Yerevan, 5 October: Yerevan hopes that “the beginning of membership
negotiations with EU will motivate Turkey to open its borders with
Armenia as quick as possible,” the press secretary of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry, Gamlet Gasparyan, has said.
Gasparyan expressed the hope that “Turkey will start making effective
steps to secure the rights of ethnic minorities and ensure freedom
of speech and other democratic values and norms”.
“We also hope that Turkey will recognize the Armenian genocide during
the talks,” Gasparyan said, adding that the European Parliament’s
recent resolution had described the genocide recognition as an
“obligatory pre-condition” for Turkey’s EU membership.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ETHNIC LEADER SEES AUTONOMY AS WAY OUT FOR GEORGIAN ARMENIANS
Haykakan Zhamanak, Armenia
Sept 28 2005
The leader of the ethnic Armenian party in Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti
region has said that if the Georgian authorities do not grant autonomy
to the region, they will do everything possible to achieve this. David
Rstakyan said that “inspired by what is taking place in Karabakh”, the
Georgian Armenians will collect signatures in favour of autonomy and
organize acts of civil disobedience. Asked if the Armenian authorities
do something to maintain stability in Samstkhe-Javakheti, Rstakyan said
“not only the Armenian authorities but all the Armenians are involved
in this process since we are one part of the Armenian nation”. The
following is excerpt from an Arman Karapetyan’s report by Armenian
newspaper Aykakan Zhamanak on 28 September headlined “We cannot stand
anymore”; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
An interview with the chairman of the Virk organization, David
Rstakyan.
Autonomy demand response to Georgia’s “large-scale attack”
[Correspondent] Mr Rstakyan, the forum of public and political
organizations of Javakhk [Georgia’s Armenian-populated region of
Samtskhe-Javakheti] has adopted a statement calling for autonomy for
Javakhk. Can this statement become the reason for contacts between
Armenians of Javakhk and the Georgian authorities? Does this statement
mean that the fight for autonomy has started in Javakhk?
[Rstakyan] I should say, yes.
[Correspondent] To what extent it is the right time to demand autonomy
for Javakhk against a backdrop of geo-political events in the region?
[Rstakyan] Our demand does not contradict the Georgian Constitution.
But the word [autonomy] causes hysteria because of the events in
Abkhazia and [South] Ossetia. But in fact we have to take action
against the authorities of Georgia as they have launched a large-scale
attack against Javakhk.
The ethnic composition of Javakhk is changing and ethnic Georgians
are being appointed to high-ranking posts. That is to say, all our
efforts to halt this process have been fruitless. We are forced to
say that we cannot stand anymore.
They adopt laws that do not meet the interests of our nation.
Georgians have recently bought or rented 100 apartments in
Akhalkalaki. What does it mean? The number of Armenians is falling
because there is no job, but in fact Georgians have jobs. As for the
problems of Armenians, they do everything possible not to resolve
them and Armenians have to leave Javakhk. All this makes us take
measures in Javakhk to elect authorities which will be able to
guarantee our security.
[Correspondent] There are rumours that the public and political
organizations of Javakhk have been angered by the fact that Georgian
authorities are trying to be in control of them with the help of
Javakhk’s Armenian criminal authorities [as published]. Is this
the case?
[Rstakyan] I have noticed tendencies of this kind in Georgia’s security
agencies. This is really so.
[Correspondent] What was the reaction of Georgian politicians to
your claim?
[Rstakyan] The head of a Georgian media outlet asked me if somebody
tried to interfere in the work of the forum. I said nobody could
interfere since our demand does not contradict the constitution,
and those who will try to do this will be punished in line with the
constitution. As far as I understand, some forces could have tried
to hinder us. The same person told me that Georgia’s political elite
is worried about our statement.
Collecting signatures and “civil disobedience” planned
[Correspondent] What will Javakhk’s public and political organizations
do if the Georgian authorities refuse to meet their demand or
discuss it?
[Rstakyan] If they refuse to do so, we shall collect signatures within
the framework of the Georgian constitution. This is very important to
prove that this demand is not only will of the public organizations
but also that of Javakhk’s Armenians.
But unfortunately the process was stopped. The Georgian authorities
are against this and there are people among us who wanted to stop this
process. I think that the process of collecting signatures should
be organized at a high level and then the Georgian authorities will
accept this reality.
[Correspondent] What if the said demand is not met after the collection
of signatures?
[Rstakyan] I do not think it will be refused. But if this happens,
we will organize an action of “civil disobedience” and form local
authorities by ourselves. What else can we do? It is similar to the
steps of rising social and economic problems, but this is different,
we are not claiming golden mountains for Javakhk. We only want the
right to live in this land. We do not want happiness at the expense
of somebody’s tragedy as the Georgian authorities are describing this.
[Correspondent] Do you not feel certain discomfort that the demand
of Javakhk’s Armenians was raised several days after the Tskhinvali
events? Do you not think that this claim might be seen as one part
of the programme directed at disrupting the situation in Georgia?
[Rstakyan] I do not know what happened in Tskhinvali.
[Correspondent] Really?
[Rstakyan] Our statement has nothing to do with the Abkhaz or Ossetian
problems.
[Passage omitted: background details]
Georgian Armenians inspired by Karabakh’s example
[Correspondent] Do they understand in Javakhk that Georgia is the only
way to the West for Armenia? On the whole, how do they treat Karabakh?
[Rstakyan] Naturally we are inspired by what is taking place in
Karabakh today.
[Correspondent] Does it mean that you want the same to take place
in Javakhk?
[Rstakyan] It depends on the Georgian authorities. If the Georgian
authorities did not pursue this policy, our reaction would be
different. All our steps are defensive. There is no attack or an
aggressive step from our side. As for Georgia being the only way to
the West for Armenia, do you think that Georgians can do everything?
The Georgian authorities want to solve their problems with Javakhk
after which the situation will be worse for Armenia. You know that
Georgians do not want the Kars-Gyumri railway and want to build a new
railway via Javakhk (Kars-Akhalkalaki) which will completely blockade
Armenia. But we do not ask them why is it so, although they do not
have the right to close the way of its neighbour.
[Correspondent] What is the role of the Armenian authorities in
maintaining stability in Javakhk?
[Rstakyan] Not only the Armenian authorities but all the Armenians
are involved in this since we are one part of the Armenian nation.
Armenia should make the Georgian authorities and the authorities of
other countries understand that an outflow of Armenians from the region
is under way. But I cannot say that this is part of a specific plan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SEPARATIST STATES MEET AT FORUM IN MOSCOW
By Eka Basilaia
The Messenger, Georgia
Sept 14 2005
Leaders from the self-declared republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
(Georgia), Transdnestria (Moldova) and Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijan)
are meeting in Moscow on September 13-14 for a forum that some have
billed as an ‘alternative CIS.’ The forum has been criticized by
Georgia who accuses Russia of coddling the unrecognized regimes.
Representatives of the State Duma, Russian political scientists and
sociologists and representatives of the clergy from Armenia and South
Ossetia will participate in the session, reports state.
The initiator of the conference is the Director of the Institute of
CIS Countries, member of the State Duma Konstantin Zatulin, together
with the Moscow State University Department of Sociology.
According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Transdnestria will be
represented by the president of this de-facto republic Igor Smirnov,
Abkhazia – by the secretary of the Security Council Stanislav Lakoba,
South Ossetia – by the Minister of Culture Konstantin Pukhaev and
Nagorni Karabakh – by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport
Kamo Atayan.
A separate round table discussion organized together with the Orthodox
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Duma is also planned to be held
within the framework of the conference on the issue of religious
freedoms in the conflict zones.
The Azeri online newspaper Day.az reports that the representative of
South Ossetia in Moscow Dimitri Medoev told journalists the forum
does not intend to create an alternate CIS as this belongs to the
“realm of fantasy.”
“The main topic of the discussion at the conference will be the
functioning and problems of secondary and higher education in terms
of freedom. The second issue will concern the issue of Orthodoxy in
free countries,” Medoev said.
Officials in Tbilisi, meanwhile, have condemned the meeting and blame
Russian officials for organizing it.
“The whole world can see the truth of who we are dealing with,”
Georgian Minister for Conflict Resolution Goga Khaindrava said on
Tuesday, referring to Russia. “The goal of the session is absolutely
unclear. The main thing is that it is pointless,” he added.
Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze also disapproved of conference
calling it absurd. “It is a pity that we have to react and comment on
Zatulin’s initiatives. His initiatives as a rule don’t comply with the
norms of civilized societies and relations,” Burjanadze said Tuesday.
The Russian news agency Interfax writes that Burjanadze said arranging
such a conference is not in the interests of Russia, as recognition
of separatist regimes may serve as an impetus for destabilization in
the regions.
Russian media notes that in addition to the separatists leaders,
legislators from Syria, Estonia, Palestine, Russia and Armenia will
also participate in the conference.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI FM: PARTIES TO KARABAKH CONFLICT YET FAR FROM AGREEMENT
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. If the Azeri and Armenian FMs reach some
agreements on the Karabakh conflict settlement the presidents will
use this basis for decreeing the start of work on specific documents,
Trend news agency reports Elmar Mamedyarov as saying.
No specific documents are being drafted now. The parties are yet
far from this approach. Commenting on the coming Moscow meeting of
the Azeri and Armenian FMs Mamedyarov says that the Prague process
will be continued. The FMs will try to come to agreement on certain
elements. The presidents will be informed of the results and will
elaborate on them.
Mamedyarov says that Azerbaijan and Armenia are still at variance over
7-9 elements. The details are confidential. It is early yet to speak
about these elements as the talks are still underway. Those who are
informed of the conflict know what elements are meant, says Mamedyarov.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Official says Abkhazia must not help Georgian party of war by rejecting talks
Regnum, Moscow
8 Aug 05
Abkhaz separatist security council chief Stanislav Lakoba has said
many Georgians are calling for a peaceful settlement of the conflict
and Abkhazia should not help the party of war in Tbilisi by
withdrawing from peace talks. In an interview with the Russian news
agency Regnum, published on 8 August, Lakoba said he believed a
balanced model would be found for Abkhazia, but warned against
attempts to resolve the conflict quickly. He said, however, that
Abkhazia has never left Russia and will not turn its back against
it. The following is an excerpt from the report; sub-headings inserted
editorially:
[Question] Six months have passed since the change of government in
Abkhazia. What are the most important changes in people’s lives? What
are the most notable achievements of the new government?
[Lakoba] Whether or not this is a new government is an interesting
question.
Unfortunately, we do not live in a stable European country where a
government’s work is evaluated after three months of its coming to
office. The situation in Abkhazia is somewhat different. We live in
completely different conditions to which common democratic norms do
not fully apply just yet. It is inappropriate to draw this sort of
parallel. Relative stability in people’s life and in politics is the
most important thing for us and in this regard some progress has been
achieved. [Passage omitted]
Not all Georgians want war
[Question] Does it make sense to hold talks with Georgia given that
the president of that country keeps saying that the only way to
resolve the conflict is to bring Abkhazia back under Georgian control?
[Lakoba] I think we should look at these issues in a broader
context. Why should we help the party of war in Georgia by rejecting
talks? Such a behaviour could weaken the people [in Georgia] standing
on completely different positions. By the way, there are quite a lot
of them. We know that there are people calling for a peaceful
settlement of the conflict. We know that rhetoric may be completely
different from behaviour. No-one rules out the use of force against
Abkhazia, but would this suit the forces behind Georgia and Abkhazia?
This is an important question too. I realize that these forces do not
decide everything. Their position, however, is very important.
Naturally, the president of Georgia can disobey everyone and start
something here of his own accord. It would be a risky move, however,
for him in the first place, as far as I understand. He has already
tried this once, in South Ossetia [reference to Summer 2004]. Everyone
knows what came out of it. This is extremely dangerous, and above all
for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan [BTC] oil pipeline which was opened with
fanfare not too long ago.
One should not forget that just 101 km separate Tbilisi and Tskhinvali
[South Ossetian capital]. One should not forget about such time bombs
as the Armenian and Azerbaijani enclaves either. There are scores of
other difficult problems.
The example of Turkey is noteworthy in this context. The Kurdish
movement has become active there and the Turkish army is carrying out
punitive operations in the area of the BTC pipeline, trying to
establish order.
I think things are not as simple [as they appear to be]. Frequent
meetings between [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan speak volumes. Russia and Turkey have
common interests in the transportation of oil and natural
gas. Attempts by Ukraine and Georgia to transport oil from the port of
Supsa to Odessa run counter to the plans of Russia and
Turkey. Therefore, Ankara realizes that the weakening of Russia will
weaken Turkey itself as Turkey would lose a strategic ally. [Passage
omitted]
Balanced model to be found for Abkhazia
It is hard to say whether we will win independence or create some kind
of a structure with Russia, or a confederation with someone else. It
is one thing to believe that we are independent. Nonetheless, the
international community has to either recognize our independence or
not recognize it. It is hard to say what sort of a model will be
found, but I think that it will be a balanced model.
[Question] What sort of a model would you prefer?
[Lakoba] We have said it many times and it is not just my opinion. The
people expressed their will in the 1999 referendum. Abkhazia is an
independent state and the people of Abkhazia stand on this position.
[Question] You mentioned the possibility of creating a
confederation. Could you be more specific? Which country could
Abkhazia create a confederation with?
[Lakoba] The issue of confederate relations with Georgia was discussed
in Geneva in 1994. At the time we proposed to Georgia that we create a
federation. Georgia responded by attacking us. After the war an idea
of confederation was proposed, but they rejected it as well. Now what?
Should we rejoin Georgia as an autonomous republic? This wouldn’t give
us anything.
Some people think the problem of Abkhazia can be solved in a matter of
days, just like the issue of Srpska Krajina. This is absurd. The
situation may descend into chaos, first in Russia and then in the
whole of Caucasus. All of this will question the viability of
mega-projects, including the oil pipelines. By and large, as far as
energy is concerned, the USA is not interested in Abkhazia. It lies
off the routes of major projects.
One thing that may not be in America’s interest is an increased
regional influence of Russia. It is in this context that one should
look at their position on the restoration of train services through
Abkhazia, which is widely discussed. This jeopardizes America’s plans
because it runs counter to the idea of the East-West transport
corridor. The same is true for the Russian-Iranian project North-South
which does not fit in with the removal of Russian bases from Georgia
in any way. There are plans to remove Russian troops from Armenia as
well. It is no accident that the American embassy in Armenia is the
second largest in the world. The proximity of Iran has played a major
role here. There was a joke – a railway to Yerevan is a railway to
Tehran.
I think the restoration of transit rail services through Abkhazia will
be torpedoed. This issue does not fit in the deal.
[Question] Is Abkhazia ready to discuss a confederation with Georgia?
[Lakoba] How can we discuss this sort of issue given Georgia’s
militaristic rhetoric you mentioned?
[Question] Do the Abkhaz people support these views?
[Lakoba] Yes, of course.
[Question] What about members of the government?
[Lakoba] Yes, they do.
Russia not ready to incorporate Abkhazia
[Question] Would it not be easier for Abkhazia to join Russia and
ensure its security in this way? The issue would have been closed.
[Lakoba] How would Russia do this? In what way? Abkhazia has appealed
to Russia many times. I think it is not realistic.
[Question] Who is it not realistic for, Russia or Abkhazia?
[Lakoba] Right now, it is not realistic for Russia.
[Passage omitted: Lakoba’s views on world politics; nothing terrible
will happen even if Russia leaves]
[Question] Who will be responsible if misfortunes befall Abkhazia? Who
is responsible for the slogan Independent Abkhazia? Independence is a
beautiful thing, but can it ensure the security and wellbeing of the
Abkhaz people? Things may go wrong. For example, Russia may close its
border with Abkhazia.
[Lakoba] Of course, this may happen. No-one rules out such a
scenario. It is difficult, however, to see the real picture. We are in
the middle of a complex web of contradictions, cut off from true
information. We know only a little bit of what is happening. There are
other things, however, we can only guess about.
We know which way to sail. We realize the problems. We understand that
the situation in Russia isn’t simple.
Besides, Abkhazia has never left Russia. I have already said this. You
can refer to the complete set of laws published in 1810. We have been
in the orbit of cultural, military, political, economic and language
relations with Russia for 200 years. It is absurd to demand that our
people turn their back against their big neighbour. [Passage omitted]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress