The liberation cause of Nagorno-Karabakh is at a critical juncture–which could have grave consequences. In the race to draw the Caucasus under their political and economic sphere of influence–international superpowers are attempting to secure deals with Azerbaijan–at the expense of the Armenian people. In the name of a "peaceful resolution" to the Karabakh conflict–these superpowers aim to force severe concessions on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic at OSCE peace talks and especially during the upcoming Copenhagen summit.
Today–more than ever–the Armenian people need a complete mobilization of all their national capabilities–in order to combat the aforementioned pressures. The responsibility for the creation and strengthening of that national unity lies on the shoulders of all forces currently active on the political stage–but specifically on the shoulders of the president of the Republic of Armenia–who–according to the current constitution–is responsible for Armenia’s foreign policy.
The president’s recent public statemen’s–however–have obviously created political confusion in the minds of the Armenian people who could be led to disappointment. On the eve of the Karabakh peace talks–the Armenian Revolutionary Federation finds unacceptable–such public statemen’s which could predetermine the outcome of those talks–contrary to the desired resolution. Armenia’s president and authorities would be held responsible for any loss of vital territory or a shift from the current liberated status of Karabakh.
The Armenian people can never accept the endangerment of Karabakh’s security and its forced return to Azeri rule–for the people of Karabakh. On numerous occasions–the Armenian people have clearly stressed their convictions on this matter. Due to the current escalation of outside pressures on the leadership of Armenia and Karabakh–the Armenian people demand that all their political forces rise above their routine disagreemen’s and discords and take charge of combating the national threats in a united fashion.
Thus–on the eve of the tough and difficult negotiations awaiting the leadership of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic–by once again reaffirming its solidarity toward the strengthening of the Armenian position–the Armenian Revolutionary Federation:
a. Condemns all efforts to shatter the collective will of the Armenian people–as well as to weaken the Armenian position through insults and slander;
b. Finds inappropriate–the disclosure of Armenia’s strategies–prior to the negotiations. On the contrary–the Armenian president should initiate direct discussions with political forces on this question;
c. Deman’s–that during the negotiations the Armenian side does not adopt positions–especially regarding territories–which would–in the future–de facto or legally–endanger Karabakh and force it under Azeri rule;
d. Calls on the entire Armenian nation and all Armenian political forces to unite–in order to collectively confront all outside threats and pressures endangering the liberation of Karabakh;
e. Asserts that the Armenian people are ready to fight–with all means necessary–for the proper resolution of the Karabakh question.
ARF Bureau
November 18–1997