YEREVAN (Armenpress)–In a December 23 press conference–Armenian Revolutionary Federation Executive Council member Hrair Karapetian stated that Armenian military victories and Nagorno-Karabakh’s independent status should be the basis of Armenian political strategy. He claimed that the results of the Copenhagen meeting are not bad–but not necessarily good either.
He explained that a lack of attention to the Karabakh matter does not translate into success. He said that it became apparent in Copenhagen that the situation is not tragic–however further steps need to be taken toward a solution–and with regard to this the ARF expects Armenian authorities to seek all available options.
Karapetian added that Alexander Arzoumanian’s statement clearly upheld a stance prioritizing the interests of the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
However–Karapetian felt that the section of his statement defining the need for a Nagorno-Karabakh and Azeri agreement–lacked clarity. Arzoumanian should have made it clear that the first guarantee of security has to be the independent status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Only after that guarantee should Armenia discuss possible compromises–undoubtedly–excluding Lachin–Kelbajar and Shushi.
Karapetian mentioned that the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue should not be restricted to summits and council meetings–it necessitates extensive strategic planning and therefore necessitates the involvement of government officials–the opposition and the people.
The ARF representatives continued to say–"While Azerbaijan brings up the oil factor and several superpower support in its argumen’s–we should utilize to our advantage our military victories which secured Karabakh’s independence. That factor should become the basis of our efforts to veer the resolution process to our favor."
