"Turkey will raise the Karakakh issue anew"
Political scientist Stepan Grigorian doesn't think the OSCE MG Co-Chairs' visit to the region will effect serious changes. Moreover, he regrets that the Co-Chairs couldn't find time to visit Karabakh during their visit.
- The Karabakh conflict cannot be resolved without taking into consideration the stance of the Karabakhi people and authorities. It is too bad that the Co-Chairs do not intend to visit the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Anyway, the visit doesn't instill great hopes in me. It is simply another working visit to the region. I want to draw your attention to the fact that today disinformation is circulated which is highly important for the regional peace and stability.
- Do you mean the information that the USA reportedly pledged to recognize NKR independence if Azerbaijan waged a war? The information was later refuted.
- I cannot say who disseminated the information but one thing is clear - the USA cannot have made such a statement at an official level. You may wonder why. The USA is an OSCE Minsk group member and spares no efforts for the conflict peaceful regulation. The sides simply shouldn't link the regulation with the Minsk group but today the Minsk group is witnessing a serious process and it is illogical to expect separative steps from the USA.
- What purpose did the misinformation pursue?
- I think it was disseminated to divert public attention.
- From what?
- From the constructive approach to the subject theme. They deliberately instill hopes in us to distract our attention while the Minsk group hasn't altered its format.
- Let's speak about the co-chairs who are not going to visit the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The Co-Chairs state that the Karabakh conflict cannot be resolved unless Karabakh is engaged in the negotiations. Why do they say today they cannot find time to visit the NKR?
- I feel sorry that the Co-Chairs will not visit the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. I want to recall that Minsk group Co-Chair Bernard Fassier made another statement two weeks ago saying that the Karabakh issue has no connection with the recently signed Armenian-Turkish Protocols. Today Armenia should prove to the world that the Karabakh conflict cannot be resolved without Karabakh's direct participation in the talks.
- Are you sufficed with Fassier's statement that the Karabakh conflict has no linkage to the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement?
- Under the given conditions the three co-chairs hold a right stance. They all state that the Karabakh conflict has no linkage to Armenian-Turkish relations and we must make use of their statement. Fassier made the statement on behalf of the Minsk group Co-Chairs who represent the USA, Russia and France.
- And do you see any linkage between the Karabakh issue and Armenian-Turkish relations?
- The linkage is not de jure evident in the Armenian-Turkish Protocols but Azerbaijan and Turkey are trying to find a connection. For example, Turkish Parliament has postponed the ratification of the protocols. It means Turkey will again raise the issue of the Karabakh conflict. In that case, Armenia should hurry with the ratification and then wait for Turkey's steps. If we fail to ratify the protocols we shall make Turkey raise the Karakakh issue anew.
Victoria Abrahamian
