July 19, 2005 - 08:04 AMT
REPORT OF OSCE PA KARABAKH RAPPORTEUR MADE PUBLIC
The OSCE PA Secretariat has made public the report of Nagorno Karabakh conflict rapporteur Goran Lennmarker Invaluable Opportunity - Some Considerations over the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict. The mentioned report was considered in the course of the OSCE PA July session in Washington. It received a considerable response in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The report notes that «the parties have quite difference interpretations of history.» Thus an impartial «committee on establishment of the truth and reconciliation» should try to come to a common and unbiased understanding of the past. It is especially important to those, who suffered and is trying to attain justice. G. Lennmarker proposed using European integration experience in settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Specifically, the need of taking into account four conditions is mentioned. First: the participating countries should realize that nothing threatens their national security. Having a neighbor feeling safe means to provide for one's own security. Second: democracy, human rights and minority rights highest standards should be observed. Non-democratic governments are in essence unstable. Third: economic integration provides for common strong mutual dependency on the basis of mutual prosperity. It is the most reliable foundation for development, as it refers to all the population. There are no reasons for citizens of Armenia and Azerbaijan not being able to have a deserving European standard of life. In G. Lennmarker's opinion, Armenia and Azerbaijan along with Georgia could try to form a joint security, democracy and prosperity zone. Simultaneously, at least in the transition period inspection system of demilitarized zones will be crucial. To that end as well as to ensure monitoring and security in NK and surrounding territories international preventive forces may be formed. As noted by the document, restoration of roads and rail communications linking Armenia and Azerbaijan are of exceptional importance. Lasting ties between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, as well as Nakhichevan and Azerbaijan should be established. Touching upon NK status G. Lennmarker notes that Armenia and Azerbaijan finding a solution based on common integration will much simplify the search for a solution of the issue. In case of opening borders and forming an integrated economy, the role of control over the territory will lose the former importance. Thereupon, fewer disputes will arouse. Simultaneously, Mr. Lennmarker reminded that Azerbaijan would like to provide highest autonomy that exists in the world to NK.» «NK has to be provided an opportunity to preserve its identity, and its populations has to be convinced its rights will be protected by a reliable and independent legal system within Azerbaijan. To secure any type of highest degree of autonomy considerable financial support is necessary, which will create additional obligations on the national budget of Azerbaijan,» the document notes.