RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN UNAWARE STATE DUMA LONG AGO RECOGNIZED FACT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan Nikolay Ryabov stated in Baku today that Russia in contrast to the Western countries does not accept the question of recognition of the Armenian Genocide for consideration in the parliament. Unawareness of the Russian diplomat at such important office causes doubts of his professional qualities. It is known that a few years ago Russian State Duma officially recognized the fact of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. Mr. Ryabov also stated that «the Karabakh problem demands stepwise solution.» He suggests solving the problem of returning the territories controlled by Karabakh forces of security zone to Azerbaijan at the first stage, and setting about discussion of the future status of Karabakh at the second stage. The initiative is at variance with the official position of Russia, which while co-chairing at the OSCE Minsk Group is the co-author of the packet of initiatives accepted by Armenia and Karabakh and turned down by Azerbaijan. Let us remind that the Co-Chairs' proposals did not imply stepwise settlement version.