GHUKASYAN: PARTIES SHOULD RUN CERTAIN RISK TO SOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net - President of Nagorno Karabakh Arkady Ghukasyan does not consider forecasts on the prospect of solution of the NK conflict within 2005 realistic. "There are many issues that are not arranged yet," the NK leader told journalists in Yerevan after a meeting with OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel September 5. At the same time the NKR leader positively evaluated the fact that official Baku "speaks of referendum on the NK status." In Mr. Ghukasyan's words, earlier Azerbaijan did not touch upon these issues at all. "Today Azerbaijan works in a more constructive field, than earlier, however is it hard to imagine a material progress yet," he noted. The NK President considers that the meetings at the level of Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as FM of the two countries cannot substitute for the OSCE MG format, which provides for participation of Stepanakert representatives in the talks. Having given a positive evaluation to any contacts between leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ghukasyan considers that "it is hard to solve the NK problem without participation of Nagorno Karabakh." The fact that the OSCE Chairman-in-Office meets with NK leaders means we make part of that format," he underscored. As A. Ghukasyan told journalists, he has drawn the attention of the OSCE leader to "militarist statements of the Azeri President." "I think Aliyev this way fulfills domestic political tasks, however on the other hand this hampers overall process, as by solving domestic issues Aliyev becomes entrapped by his own statements," Ghukasyan noted. "To solve the conflict the parties have to run a certain risk - give something to get something. Today Azerbaijan is not ready to such risks. It seems to them that they can get everything, however it is impossible. We realize that unpopular decisions may be made. However, these unpopular decisions should refer to everyone - not only us. We are ready to pass our part of the way, if Azerbaijan does the same," Ghukasyan stated. Answering a question what can be an unpopular decision for Karabakh people, Ghukasyan stated, " There is a category of people in Nagorno Karabakh today, for whom even talks with Azerbaijan are not popular." Touching upon the supposition that the NK status can be a step beyond independence, A. Ghukasyan said, "I cannot imagine that option - it is the same as being a bit pregnant," reported IA Regnum.