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The Milli Mejlis continued discussion of ways of resolving the Garabagh conflict Saturday. As a result of the debate, President Aliyev was given additional credentials in achieving a negotiated settlement to the Garabagh conflict.
The speakers mainly focused on three alternative solutions to the problem: peacefully, by war and status-quo (leaving things as they are). Also discussed was the Goble plan on territorial exchange (Azerbaijan yields the territory of Upper Garabagh to Armenia in exchange for the Megri province, which separates Azerbaijan from Nakhchivan).
In this connection, former foreign political adviser to the president Vafa Guluzadeh said the last alternative had already been discussed, but didn’t work out because the mentioned province is located on the border with Iran and serves as a gate to Iran not only for Armenia, but also for Russia. He said since Armenia does not pursue an independent policy and is a Russian colony, this alternative was turned down.
Leader of communists MP Ramiz Ahmadov indicated that all the three suggestions of the OSCE meet the interests of the winner Armenia, suggested that the army be strengthened and did not rule out a military solution.
Opposition MP Mais Safarli said if the conflict drags out for a long time, “we will have to liberate our lands by force”. He then suggested that Azerbaijan should call upon the UN to enforce the UN SC resolutions on Upper Garabagh, recognize Armenia as aggressor and decide that Azerbaijan has the right to use force.
Head of the Azerbaijan community of Upper Garabagh Nizami Bahmanov said if ethnic Armenians of Upper Garabagh are provided with a special status, a certain status should also be given to the Azerbaijan community.
After the discussions, President Aliyev said in his remarks that it is beyond a doubt that the situation is very complicated. “We have to consider the reality: the occupation of a fifth of Azerbaijan’s territory by Armenia and the reluctance of leading western governments, including France, Russia and USA, to get engaged in the issue of liberating the taken over territories. The only country supporting Azerbaijan is Turkey, but it can’t help. Just one example: I have met with former US President Bill Clinton several times and tried to convince him that Section 907 is extremely unfair. He promised to assist in lifting it, but three days prior to leaving office, Mr. Clinton wrote to me that he is ready to help, but we have to open our border in the Gazakh province and start trade relations with Armenia. Of course, I disagreed, saying we have managed to survive without this assistance to this day and we will in the future…”, the President said.
Then the President said, “We have spoken of the difficulties today in order for everyone to understand the situation we are in. But this does not mean we have lost hope, we will resolve this problem”. The head of state suggested that the Milli Mejlis prepare an address to the UN Secretary General and UN Security Council and ask to enforce the resolutions on an unconditional pull-out of Armenian forces from Azeri territories. H. Aliyev added that it wouldn’t be wise to reject the OSCE mission. “Although it is difficult for me to hold talks with R. Kocharian, I will continue them and if there is an acceptable result, I will forward it to the parliament for approval. If it is endorsed, we will then put it on a nationwide discussion”, the President said.
In conclusion, the draft resolution of the Milli Mejlis was adopted. Expressing an overall endorsement for the President’s endeavors toward the conflict settlement, the Milli Mejlis asked him to “make the necessary mutual compromises” taking into consideration the deplorable plight of around a million refugees and to multiply effort for a soonest resolution of the problem in accordance with the 4 UN SC resolutions.
Within 15 days, MPs and public figures can submit their own visions of the conflict settlement to the Milli Mejlis.*
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Issue: February, 24, 2001
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