OSKANIAN: The actual negotiating document on the principles that is on the table today is all-encompassing. It covers all the principles affecting the resolution of the conflict. It includes the core issue of status of Nagorno Karabakh, territories, refugees, security issues, peacekeeping and every other conceivable issue that is necessary in order to arrive at a lasting resolution of the conflict. Only after full agreement on all these basic principles would the parties, as the actual negotiating text says, ³in cooperation with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group to begin work on the elaboration of an agreement on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.² In other words, the agreement on principles will be comprehensive. The final agreement may envision implementation over time.

ARMENPRESS: In their report, the co-chairs say ³the principles include the phased redeployment of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories around Nagorno Karabakh, with special modalities for Kelbajar and Lachin districts.² What are these special modalities?

OSKANIAN: This formulation is indeed very broad, and for a reason. This issue has two layers. One is the issue of Lachin, where the actual negotiating text on principles provides clear language stating that there will be ³a corridor linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia.² For Armenia, it¹s very clear that this corridor must have the same status as Nagorno Karabakh. The second layer is the issue of Kelbajar. For Armenia, this also is clear: based on security concerns, Kelbajar can be returned only after the referendum is conducted and the final status of NK is determined. Azerbaijan¹s position is different on Kelbajar. That¹s the disagreement that the co-chairs are addressing in their statement. The co-chairs¹ language in the actual negotiating text, with regard to this issue, is generally in line with our approach.

ARMENPRESS: The co-chairs say that there will be a referendum / popular vote ³to determine the final legal status of Nagorno Karabakh,² but they don¹t say who will vote.

OSKANIAN: The actual negotiating text on principles clearly specifies that ³the final legal status will be determined through a referendum / population vote by the population of Nagorno Karabakh.²

ARMENPRESS: The co-chairs also say ³certain interim arrangements for Nagorno Karabakh would allow for interaction with providers of international assistance.² What does this mean?

OSKANIAN: This is only one element of a much more detailed section in the actual negotiating text which addresses interim status for Nagorno Karabakh. We think the co-chairs have emphasized international engagement, because that¹s a major problem for the people of Nagorno Karabakh. Their current, unrecognized, de-facto status, has not allowed them to benefit from the generosity of international organizations. In the actual negotiating text, the provisions address such rights as control over their political and economic viability and security, upholding their personal privileges and freedoms, the right to democratically elect officials to govern Nagorno Karabakh, the authority to effectively legislate and administer the internal affairs of Nagorno Karabakh.

ARMENPRESS: What is Armenia¹s overall assessment of the content of the document as it stands today?

OSKANIAN: This is not a perfect document. For anyone. However, there are enough solid and balanced provisions, with the right trade-offs on the main issues ­ status, territories and security ­ that we are prepared to continue to negotiate on the basis of these principles. In today¹s context, Azerbaijan¹s rhetoric about autonomy and desperate calls for militarization surprise us. We have at hand a real opportunity to resolve all issues, including the much-maligned issue of refugees. But Azerbaijan must revert to real situations and real opportunities, rather than illusory maximalist hopes. Today, we hope that Azerbaijan will realize that we have a chance to resolve the conflict and achieve a lasting peace.