Armenia turns down EU proposal

international | crime and justice | news report Saturday February 07, 2004 14:21 by Isakhan Ashurov

Armenia has rejected the peaceful resolution of the conflict

When looking deeply at the issue, one can understand that the core of the problem is an ideology that is very harmful to humanity and the security of the region. This ideology, which has been Armenians' national program for more than one hundred years, encompasses the establishment of the "Great Armenia from sea to sea - from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea" and the occupation of the lands of the ancient peoples who Armenians have been neighbors with for two hundred years in the Caucasus.

Though a draft document on the settlement of the Upper Garabagh conflict prepared by Pier Garton, the European Union's (EU) rapporteur on the South Caucasus, has been approved in Azerbaijan, Armenia has rejected the peaceful resolution of the conflict.The draft document proposes that Armenian armed forces withdraw from at least five of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan and the Baku-Nakhchivan-Yerevan railway route between the two countries re-open. In a Thursday meeting with Antonio de Vris, the European Commission (EC) representative in Azerbaijan, Speaker of the Milli Majlis (parliament) Murtuz Alasgarov said he was satisfied with the proposal.

Appreciating the EU's standpoint towards the Upper Garabagh conflict, the Speaker stated that it was necessary for international organizations to put an end to their double standard approach to the settlement of the conflict. Alasgarov underlined that he thought Garton's proposal might lay the ground for the liberation of the other occupied lands. The EU rapporteur noted that the EU supports Azerbaijan's position towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict. He also stated that the EU was ready to provide assistance. Commenting on the EU rapporteur's proposal, Akif Naghi, chairman of the Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO), told AssA-Irada that the EU's efforts to settle the Upper Garabagh conflict were appreciated. "If the EU wants to be seriously involved in the issue, above all, Armenia should be unconditionally recognized as an aggressor. At the same time, the liberation of the five occupied lands should be considered as only the beginning of the eventual withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from all the occupied lands. If Armenia stops the withdrawal after only five occupied lands, the EU's proposal may lead to the loss of Upper Garabagh ," Naghi underlined. The GLO chairman said that the organization's Management Board would discuss the proposal and adopt an appropriate decision. Araz Azimov, Deputy Foreign Minister, told journalists earlier that he welcomed the EU's proposal and stated that following the realization of the proposal the issue on liberation of the other occupied lands might be considered. Azimov noted that the re-opening of a railway between Armenia and Azerbaijan would depend on the results of the talks to be held between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents. In general, the Azerbaijani public regards the EU proposal as a positive step towards the settlement of the conflict. However, as an Azerbaijani proverb says; What man proposes, God disposes.

Discontent
Expressing the Armenian government's standpoint towards the proposal, Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian stated that the proposal wouldn't help solve the conflict. Attempting to substantiate his opinion on various pretexts, Oskanian claimed that he could even show documents proving that former Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev was allegedly ready for serious compromises on Garabagh during the talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents held in Key West and Paris. Stating that he didn't accept the EU proposal, the Armenian diplomat suggested a "package" settlement of the conflict rather than a step by step settlement. Describing Oskanian's opinion as provocation, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Vilayat Guliyev said there was no documentation on any compromises. He blamed Armenia for the breakdown of peace talks. The European Union made a similar proposal in the second half of 1990s. At that time the proposal was also approved by Azerbaijan but rejected by Armenia. Armenian President Robert Kocharian repeatedly stated that his government didn't agree to the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan in return for the re-opening of the railway between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Armenia's popular "Azgh" newspaper reported that five districts were too many and that three districts - Fuzuli, Jabrayil and Zangilan - would be enough. It may seem strange for readers who are not well aware of the region: by re-opening the railway, Armenia will join the regional projects in the South Caucasus, open its borders with Turkey and the country will begin to develop economically. So, why does the Armenian government turn down the EU proposal? When looking deeply at the issue, one can understand that the core of the problem is an ideology that is very harmful to humanity and the security of the region. This ideology, which has been Armenians' national program for more than one hundred years, encompasses the establishment of the "Great Armenia from sea to sea - from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea" and the occupation of the lands of the ancient peoples who Armenians have been neighbors with for two hundred years in the Caucasus. With this ideology they [Armenians] came to the Caucasus eager to extend the borders of their state. That is why one can't find any words of response to the radical forces who say that 'we can drive out the occupiers not through negotiations, but with force'. Unfortunately, this may lead to war.