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Any proposal on Karabakh conflict settlement should be put on a referendum

Lusine Avanesyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Stepanakert

The future of relations with Azerbaijan is at the core of discussions in Artsakh. Politicians and analysts say the recent military actions come to prove the short-sightedness of the Madrid Principles and the negotiations on that basis.

Politics is never ‘black and white.” Negotiations are necessary, but what should they be about and what are the implications of every proposal? This is the question.

Arzik Mkhitaryan, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NKR National Assembly, singles out two of the principles – non-use of force and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Leader of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun faction David Ishkhanyan excludes the “territories for status” formula. “We have managed to create our history by establishing and developing a state system. This is our status,” he said.

“The status of Nagorno Karabakh, the guarantees of the foreigners cannot substitute the NKR Armed Forces and cannot guarantee people’s security. The April war is an evidence of this,” David Ishkhanyan said.

He’s assured that surrender of territories will not ensure security. Moreover, he says there is a need to expand the security zones of the cities of Martuni and Martakert, the northern regions of Martakert – Talish, Mataghis and other frontline villages. “This should be in the focus of both the diplomacy and the military.”

MP Armen Sargsyan reminds about the events of 1920-1921. “Our grandfathers won. We managed to keep Zangezur, but lost Artsakh because of defeat on the diplomatic front.”

Arzik Mkhitaryan considers that no one will ever assume the responsibility to solve such issues alone. People must give their consent to ant proposal. “Our political elite considers that any proposal that can be discussed and considered acceptable, should be put on a referendum.”

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