Sarkisian discusses Garabagh with opposition
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian discussed the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh with the
country`s political opposition on Thursday. The exchange of views
at the closed-door meeting marked the first time Sarkisian sat at
the negotiating table with opposition party leaders since being
elected. Those February elections were followed by violent
protests.
Samvel Fermanian, the presidential spokesman, said the chairmen of some 20 political parties took part in the discussions, however, all parties making up the opposition Armenian Nationwide Congress did not attend, though they had been invited. Among those not in attendance was opposition leader and former president Levon Ter-Petrosian.
Sarkisian said, in his remarks, that the meeting would increase the role played by the country`s political parties in reaching a decision on the Upper Garabagh conflict. It will also greatly contribute to improving the political climate in the country. The government-opposition dialog will also lead to the creation of a common position on other issues of vital importance for Armenia, Sarkisian said.
He added that such meetings would now be held regularly.
"Such meetings will be held behind closed doors and without referencing. This format will provide suitable conditions for attendees to express their views freely. `Without referencing` means that we can refer to these views after such meetings in the course of public activity. But we are not going to cite any names."
Armen Rustamian, a representative of the nationalist Dashnaktsutyun party, said the authorities-opposition dialog had proceeded constructively. Members of the Worthy Future and United Labor Parties said they confided in the Armenian president regarding talks on the Garabagh settlement.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a ceasefire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Years of peace talks have brought few tangible results.
Sarkisian`s discussions with opposition leaders have drawn the attention of Washington as well. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Sarkisian after the five-hour meeting. Although details of the conversation are not disclosed, the two are reported to have held talks on ways of settling the Garabagh dispute.
Analysts cite various explanations on the reasons for Sarkisian`s inviting the opposition to a meeting, with some presuming it aims to forge ties between the head of state and the opposition camp.
But it is also likely that international pressure and Azerbaijan`s non-wavering stance are prompting Sarkisian to make concessions on Garabagh settlement. Therefore, he called a meeting with the opposition representatives to convey to them his stance on the issue.
In the meantime, reports claiming President Sarkisian has unveiled a plan on resolving the Garabagh conflict have unsettled the country`s political circles, with some analysts even accusing the Armenian leader of treachery.
The Armenian news portal, Tert.am, quoted Alexander Kananian, a member of the Miatsum initiative group as saying, last week, that the Armenian leader had disclosed his option for resolving the long-standing dispute during a recent meeting with the leader of the self-proclaimed Upper Garabagh republic and the chiefs of security agencies. Kananian said, quoting a reliable source, that Sarkisian had told "the leadership" of Upper Garabagh that they must unconditionally and swiftly pull their armed forces from five "liberated" districts of Azerbaijan, referring to all but two invaded districts around the occupied region. It is believed that plans call for a referendum to determine the status of Upper Garabagh to be held within about two years thereafter, followed by the return to Azerbaijan of the strategic Kalbajar district, which is presently occupied by the Armenian armed forces.
Kananian said this message was being conveyed to the people through community representatives. However, the authorities are concerned that the concerns of Garabagh Armenians could turn into nationwide outrage.
Meanwhile, protesters picketed the Armenian Foreign Ministry trying to head off what they believe is the anticipated return of the Upper Garabagh to Azerbaijan. Miatsum group members gathering outside the ministry building in Yerevan on Friday chanted slogans saying "Those giving up land are traitors."
Minister Eduard Nalbandian refused to meet with the protesters, and police officers surrounded them, demanding their dispersal.
One of the pickets, Jirayr Sefilian, a commander of the battalion that helped invade Azerbaijan`s historical city Shusha, told reporters that the Armenian authorities` intention to return Upper Garabagh to Azerbaijan had been confirmed.
"We will not allow this," Sefilian said. "The fact that we behaved well before the police forces today does not mean that this will be the case tomorrow. This land is sacred and we will not give it up."
It is indicative that the Azerbaijani presidential administration has ruled out a need to hold discussions within the country`s political circles regarding a settlement to the Garabagh conflict.
"We do not deem it necessary, at this point, to hold talks between the authorities and political forces in Azerbaijan," said Elnur Aslanov, the head of a President`s Office department.
Samvel Fermanian, the presidential spokesman, said the chairmen of some 20 political parties took part in the discussions, however, all parties making up the opposition Armenian Nationwide Congress did not attend, though they had been invited. Among those not in attendance was opposition leader and former president Levon Ter-Petrosian.
Sarkisian said, in his remarks, that the meeting would increase the role played by the country`s political parties in reaching a decision on the Upper Garabagh conflict. It will also greatly contribute to improving the political climate in the country. The government-opposition dialog will also lead to the creation of a common position on other issues of vital importance for Armenia, Sarkisian said.
He added that such meetings would now be held regularly.
"Such meetings will be held behind closed doors and without referencing. This format will provide suitable conditions for attendees to express their views freely. `Without referencing` means that we can refer to these views after such meetings in the course of public activity. But we are not going to cite any names."
Armen Rustamian, a representative of the nationalist Dashnaktsutyun party, said the authorities-opposition dialog had proceeded constructively. Members of the Worthy Future and United Labor Parties said they confided in the Armenian president regarding talks on the Garabagh settlement.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a ceasefire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Years of peace talks have brought few tangible results.
Sarkisian`s discussions with opposition leaders have drawn the attention of Washington as well. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Sarkisian after the five-hour meeting. Although details of the conversation are not disclosed, the two are reported to have held talks on ways of settling the Garabagh dispute.
Analysts cite various explanations on the reasons for Sarkisian`s inviting the opposition to a meeting, with some presuming it aims to forge ties between the head of state and the opposition camp.
But it is also likely that international pressure and Azerbaijan`s non-wavering stance are prompting Sarkisian to make concessions on Garabagh settlement. Therefore, he called a meeting with the opposition representatives to convey to them his stance on the issue.
In the meantime, reports claiming President Sarkisian has unveiled a plan on resolving the Garabagh conflict have unsettled the country`s political circles, with some analysts even accusing the Armenian leader of treachery.
The Armenian news portal, Tert.am, quoted Alexander Kananian, a member of the Miatsum initiative group as saying, last week, that the Armenian leader had disclosed his option for resolving the long-standing dispute during a recent meeting with the leader of the self-proclaimed Upper Garabagh republic and the chiefs of security agencies. Kananian said, quoting a reliable source, that Sarkisian had told "the leadership" of Upper Garabagh that they must unconditionally and swiftly pull their armed forces from five "liberated" districts of Azerbaijan, referring to all but two invaded districts around the occupied region. It is believed that plans call for a referendum to determine the status of Upper Garabagh to be held within about two years thereafter, followed by the return to Azerbaijan of the strategic Kalbajar district, which is presently occupied by the Armenian armed forces.
Kananian said this message was being conveyed to the people through community representatives. However, the authorities are concerned that the concerns of Garabagh Armenians could turn into nationwide outrage.
Meanwhile, protesters picketed the Armenian Foreign Ministry trying to head off what they believe is the anticipated return of the Upper Garabagh to Azerbaijan. Miatsum group members gathering outside the ministry building in Yerevan on Friday chanted slogans saying "Those giving up land are traitors."
Minister Eduard Nalbandian refused to meet with the protesters, and police officers surrounded them, demanding their dispersal.
One of the pickets, Jirayr Sefilian, a commander of the battalion that helped invade Azerbaijan`s historical city Shusha, told reporters that the Armenian authorities` intention to return Upper Garabagh to Azerbaijan had been confirmed.
"We will not allow this," Sefilian said. "The fact that we behaved well before the police forces today does not mean that this will be the case tomorrow. This land is sacred and we will not give it up."
It is indicative that the Azerbaijani presidential administration has ruled out a need to hold discussions within the country`s political circles regarding a settlement to the Garabagh conflict.
"We do not deem it necessary, at this point, to hold talks between the authorities and political forces in Azerbaijan," said Elnur Aslanov, the head of a President`s Office department.
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