YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The Aravot daily published transcripts of an interview from Artsakh TV with Armenian Defense Minister Vazgen Sargssian Friday–in which Sargssian conceited that the settlement process had been aggravated because of the "appearance of certain politicians."
Agreeing that lately the discussions on the Karabakh conflict had veered off its real course–Sargssian said that politicians appeared in a "delicate" situation and "politics very often made politicians say one thing–think another and do a third."
He emphasized that the Armenian people–in fact–had already resolved the Karabakh problem–so the only thing remaining was "to settle it politically and economically."
According to Sargssian–it is wrong to call this war "the Karabakh war" as it is the war of the entire Armenian people. "I think that it is our last war; there is no losing in this war–especially–when we have already won it," the defense minister said. "If we decided that we are a country with pride–and that we respect our freedom and independence–value them more than our current hardships–the lack of energy–among other things then we are on the right track. The most important is the soul of the people," said Sargssian.
He stressed that there is no force in the world (including Aliyev) which could make the Armenian people come to its knees: "undoubtedly–the final victory will be ours," he declared.
Speaking of compromise–Sargssian noted the necessity of maintaining the integrity of Lachin and Kelbajar. According to him–it is nonsense to discuss the issues of Shoushi and Lachin as "those are done deals: the existence of Armenia and Karabakh is impossible without them… When the Azeris start talking about Shoushi and Lachin one should break the negotiations. "He said that no concessions are possible–only compromise is possible. "Our politicians will have sufficient wisdom to start pursuing correct foreign policy without infringing upon our political–military and strategic interests," concluded the minister.
