September 25, 2010 - 15:17 AMT
ARTICLE
NKR’s independence is Armenia’s best achievement over past 19 years
Review of September 18-24 domestic events.
Karabakh, as usual, prevailed in political discussions during the past week. Director of Caucasus Institute, political analyst Alexander Iskandaryan said that no UN special representative is capable to facilitate the Karabakh conflict settlement. “The OSCE Minsk Group abolishment, far less its duplication in another instance will decelerate even the current process,” Iskandaryan told aPanARMENIAN.Net reporter. According to him, similar statements are propaganda rather than real attempts aimed at accelerating the conflict resolution. “Readiness for compromises is required for real facilitation,” Iskandaryan said.

Expert of the Armenian Center for Political and International Research Ruben Mehrabyan said that talk about the necessity to appoint a UN special representative on Karabakh conflict indicate that the international community is concerned over the ineffectiveness of the OSCE Minsk Group efforts. “I think the pressure on the conflicting sides will be increasing with time,” Mehrabyan told aPanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

Iranian Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs Seyyed Mohammad-Reza Mir-Tajeddini never said “Iran initially supported, supports today and will continue to support Azerbaijan in Karabakh issue” in his speech at Iran-Azerbaijan conference entitled Azerbaijan: Past Experiences and the Upcoming Prospects, a representative of Iranian Embassy in Yerevan stated. “Some of Azeri media might have misinterpreted the words of the Vice President. In fact, Iran supports peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict, without taking sides with either of the parties. Our position on the issue will always remain balanced,” Mr. Zarei emphasized in a conversation withPanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

Armenia and Azerbaijan wield the key to Karabakh conflict settlement, if there is a key, the director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), Richard Giragosian stated. As the expert stressed at a round table on New Trends in Russian Policy in the Caucasus: Threats and Opportunities for the Region, mediators in Karabakh issue must make it their priority to prevent a war and re-involve Azerbaijan in conflict settlement negotiations.

On the day of liturgy held in Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar island, a rally was organized in Tsitsernakaberd, Yerevan. “Today, two parts of Armenia are hosting two different events, a Turkey-organized show on one side and a protest rally, followed by a liturgy, on the other. The expression “two parts of Armenia” was not a mistaken one, as we make no difference between Western and Eastern Armenia,” Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute director Hayk Demoyan said. “We’ll never be misled by Ankara’s attempt to turn Armenian cultural heritage and spiritual landmark into a propaganda tool. We are the masters of our memories and no force can take them away from us,” he stressed.

The liturgy at Holy Cross came as a result of ill-fated Armenia-Turkey Protocols, enabling Turkey to use it as a trump card in improving relations with the West, according to Heritage parliamentary group member Armen Martirosyan. “Were it not for Protocols, Turkey would not have a chance to build its foreign policy at the expense of Armenia,” he said.

Vice-Speaker of the RA National Assembly Arevik Petrosyan has offered resignation. Vahe Enfiadjyan, member of Prosperous Armenia parliamentary group, has said that Petrosyan’s resignation was a decision of the party, however this doesn’t mean that she will cease to be a member of Prosperous Armenia. He also informed that the candidacies for the post of parliament vice speaker will be debated soon. Prosperous Armenia is considering candidacies of 3 MPs - Vardan Bostanjyan, Aram Safaryan and Samvel Balasanyan - for the position of vice speaker of the Armenian National Assembly.

Independence of Artsakh is the best achievement of the Armenian nation over the past 20 years, political analyst Alexander Manasyansaid. “No political force can plume itself on liberation of Artsakh, as it was the people who won the historical victory,” he said. “Certainly, Armenia made a number of mistakes in negotiations on the Karabakh conflict but the fact remains that the Republic of Artsakh exists within borders outlined by the Armenian side earlier.”

Holiday celebrations are great occasions for paying tribute to talented and conscientious people who are the motive power of our society, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said during Medal Award Ceremony timed to 19th anniversary of independence of Armenia. “19 years is a short period. Each us understands there’s much to be done but Armenia is not the country to avoid challenges. We’ll never give up,” the Armenian leader stressed.

Arshaluys Mghdesyan / PanARMENIAN News