“I cannot oppose Levon Ter-Petrosyan” (video)
Former Deputy Head of the NSS Gurgen Yeghiazaryan thinks that Armenia should immediately recognize the independence of Artsakh. In the interview with “A1+”, replying to this question, he noted, “Yes, definitely [Armenia] should recognize. And in case of resumption of negotiations, Artsakh must become a party to negotiations and only Artsakh and Azerbaijan should negotiate without Armenia.” Upon our request Mr Yeghiazaryan commented on the statement of the first President of Armenian Levon Ter-Petrosyan. To remind, the latter noted that as long as Armenia lacks the support of any international organization or superpower, it should refrain from a frantic idea of unilaterally recognizing the independence of Karabakh. “I cannot oppose Levon Ter-Petrosyan, as he is a serious political figure. As for the support of superpowers, you know, no one supports the weak. In 1998 when Levon Ter-Petrosyan hadn’t resigned yet, he presented a new resolution connected with the Karabakh issue. That resolution corresponded to the European approaches. But there wasn’t agreement to that resolution, and he wrote ‘War or peace’. At present there is no peace, there is war.” At present, he says, Turks are not ready to cede anything, “I don’t say Azerbaijan, as I don’t consider what was established by Ulyanov to be a country.” In reply to the question what Serzh Sargsyan should do in this situation, Mr Yeghiazaryan said, “First of all Serzh Sargsyan should enter into consolidation with the political forces. It shouldn’t be done formally, it should be done seriously.” What does the former deputy head of the NSS think about the territorial concession? “I would be a formal patriot if I say that no inch of land should be given. It is at least foolishness.” To the remark that Seyran Ohanyan personally expressed such a viewpoint on April 24 at Tsitsernakaberd, Mr Yeghiazaryan noted that he doesn’t want to comment on the words of the minister, “The negotiations process implies receiving and ceding something. And if negotiations resume, they should have a solution. The people of Artsakh must decide ‘yes’ or ‘no’, to cede land or not.”
