Below is an interview Vladimir Karapetyan, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Armenian National Congress (ANC), gave NEWS.am.
Question: At the 16th congress of the Armenian National Movement (ANM) Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan pointed out that Armenia has no development prospects in any field, particularly security, economy demography, without the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and Armenian-Turkish reconciliation – regardless of which political force is in power. As an ANC representative, do you share this point of view?
Answer: First, I should note that Ter-Petrosyan’s statement elicited idle comments. He did not utter the phrase “in any field.” Rather, he stressed three major fields – security, economic development and demographic situation. I too attach importance to democracy, human rights and formation of civil society, which has nothing in common with Nagorno-Karabakh. Ter-Petrosyan did not speak about it, but his activities and everyday struggle prove his commitment to these values. That statement was the result of an analysis made by Ter-Petrosyan himself – the real state of affairs over the recent 12-13 years. That is, unfortunately, Armenia remains outside the major regional economic and transit projects. If we had a normal government, not a liar premier, investments might be larger, our economy would be better, we would be able to control monopolies and collect taxes from such monopolists as Armavia. On a large scale, economic development would ensure Armenia’s complete economic integration.
However, we have no regional programs or common economic zone. Even the programs President Serzh Sargsyan spoke of in Berlin – the construction of an Armenia-Georgia highway - are not to be implemented. Therefore, any blogger, or a person posing as an analyst, can criticize Ter-Petrosyan’s statement. In this case, however, that person has to explain the reasons why the region is developing in one direction, whereas Armenia is moving in the opposite direction. No one can disagree with Ter-Petrosyan’s opinion that Armenia’s security is not properly ensured. Suffice it to point to the fact that we have no relations or mutual confidence with Turkey, a country with a million-strong army. We have no security agreement with that state, which is a challenge and threat – to say nothing of Azerbaijan, with its U.S. $2bn military budget aimed at Armenia.
As regards the improvement of demographic situation, it is the most critical issue. Without any hopes for Armenia’s prosperity, people emigrate from Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as from the liberated territories. The Lachin population was 15,000 under Ter-Petrosyan, whereas it is only 4,000-5,000 now. This is striking evidence of the incumbent authorities’ poor government.
Question: In his speech, Ter-Petrosyan pointed out that the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is not a priority for the West now and that “Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran are such a heavy burden for the West that it leaves no room for Nagorno-Karabakh and the South Caucasus at all.” Therefore, the key to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and, why not, to Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is in Russia’s hands. Is this fact of benefit to us or not?
Answer: I share this opinion. The West has recently spent huge funds to resolve problems in other regions and is not paying enough attention to Nagorno-Karabakh. One more remark: if Russia is greatly interested in the settlement of the problem, I cannot understand why that country has radically changed its stance and begun speaking of the territories under Nagorno-Karabakh’s control. This corroborates Ter-Petrosyan’s idea that Turkey and Azerbaijan realized the need for working with Russia. I think the result of this work is Moscow’s turnabout in that it recognized the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh “occupied” in the statement issued in Canada on June 26.
Question: If the key to the problem remained in the West, would it facilitate the settlement?
Answer: Only consolidation and democratization of Armenia, the country’s being open to the world and absence of political prisoners can facilitate the settlement. They are important factors, which can facilitate the settlement.
Question: With this change considered – the key to the settlement has passed from hand to hand – can the ANC change its tactics?
Answer: The ANC’s basic strategy, which we will be pursuing, is to struggle for the restoration constitutional order and human rights and freedoms in the country. We will continue performing our role of pioneers, and let no one have any doubts. It is not the analysts, but the ANC that is the authorities’ target. We are not allowed to hold actions, go on the air. As regards tactics, it can be more flexible. Considering the present situation, we have made steps, and we are going to witness new manifestations of our struggle in the future.
