Head of Homeland Party Proposed Karabakh Settlement Version

PanARMENIAN.Net - "The regular meeting on the Nagorno Karabakh settlement held in Paris yielded no obvious results. The conflict lasting for 18 years already has taken dozens of thousands of lives, inflicted sufferings both on Armenians and Azeris as well as other nationalities in the region. The cease-fire achieved with Russia's mediation in May 1994 still remains the only progress realized by the two nations. Unfortunately this agreement is violated from time to time. Despite numerous meetings and talks held within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group since 1992 no real progress has been fixed," says the statement issued by chairman of Rodina (Homeland) Party of Russia Dmitry Rogozin on the Nagorno Karabakh problem. The document says in part, "The situation cannot but arouse disappointment, first of all among ordinary people who suffered from the conflict. It is hard to explain why serious politicians - the representatives of the parties responsible before their peoples and international community have failed to find a common ground during so many years. One can make a conclusion that something was wrong in their perception of final goals. The efforts at the state level have been already exhausted Here a question arouses. Isn't it the time for the public diplomacy to join the negotiation process? In my opinion, the starting point of the Karabakh settlement should become the exclusion of any attempt to solve the conflict by force. This should become a precondition for the further activities.



The parties should understand that the current situation is not favorable either from the aspect of momentary tasks or a distant outlook. Azerbaijan experiences great problems with the refugees from the regions that were seized as result of hostilities. Azeri armed forced suffered big losses and the economy of the country was badly damaged. It is obvious that the Karabakh conflict is pregnant with negative consequences for Armenia as well. Nagorno Karabakh lives in permanent blockade and under military threat. Both parties spend considerable funds for maintaining the opposition. Such cruel and long-lasting conflict cannot improve the image of both states in the opinion of the international community. Two facts should be recognized. First, it is impossible for Karabakh to have the status it used to have before the conflict burst out. Second, Karabakh itself is a party to conflict. During the recent years this fact is being someway concealed. But the reality doesn't depend on political wishes and preferences. All the more, the residents of the region themselves but not Armenia or Azerbaijan or the international community will have to arrange the NKR's way of life.



Taking into account the above-mentioned facts I see the real scheme of settlement the following way.



1. The armed forces of NKR abandon the Azerbaijani regions that were seized during the hostilities except Lachin via which communication with Armenia is being exercised. The determination of the status of Nagorno Karabakh is postponed for a long time. Armenia and Karabakh maintain control over the situation in NK. Azerbaijan agrees that Lachin remains under control of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Azerbaijan receives the possibility of returning of refugees to the former place of habitation. Azerbaijan is granted is free access in Nakhichevan (under the conditions analogous with the operation of the Lachin corridor) and resumes transportation of oil and gas to Armenia.



2. Thorough demilitarization of all the liberated regions is held up to the final determination of the NK status. The borders are guarded by peacekeepers - Russian or international with a prevalence of Russian composition. International observers are also engaged.



3. The parties agree that the Nagorno Karabakh status should be determined either at bargaining table or via referendum, what is more probable.



Recently the geography of the meetings on the Karabakh settlement is being moved away from Moscow. The latest round of negotiations was held in Paris, the next will be held in Washington. Thus the role of Russian mediation is getting weaker what doesn't have a positive impact upon the process. Russia's activation is essential. The matter concerns not only the positive influence on the political arena but also new approaches in economic and humanitarian fields, specifically the stimulation of trade and economic interaction, search of mutually beneficial solutions for the transportation of energy resources and development of human contacts.



I am hopeful that these proposals will find understanding with the concerned parties and appeal to the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia to promote the soonest settlement of the conflict with their personal authority and state wisdom," reported MiK.