YUNUSOV: KARABAKH CONFLICT SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM

PanARMENIAN.Net - "There have been many options of Nagorno Karabakh settlement ("common state," "stepwise resolution," "package one," etc.), however these are not the core in actual fact. One must not treat the settlement of the Karabakh conflict as solution of a mathematical problem," head of the Department of Conflictology and Migration of the Institute of Peace and Democracy Arif Yunusov stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net In his words, the fate of two - exactly two and not one - peoples is the point. The solution should be in a form that, in case of not satisfying, would not cause a mass negative response of any of the parties. "Why is the current stage doomed to failure? It is based on the proposal to hold a referendum. Maybe after certain time has passed, but the holding of it. Formally, it is a quite democratic proposal. However, our societies are not democratic and one should clearly understand it. E.g. Azeri authorities at first tried to conceal the fact of the referendum itself. When they did not manage it, they tried to pretend as if there is nothing important here and it is not known what will be taking place in our region in 10-15 years. Having observed the negative response to the idea of a referendum, our FM stated there will be no referendum and it is provocation of certain forces. I.e. this crucially important issue is concealed from own people," the Azeri expert noted. On the other hand, A. Yunusov added, the Karabakh conflict has to do with the mentality of both peoples. "Materials are often published in Armenia, saying that authorities make the situation in Azerbaijan tense, while people "do not with to fight for alien Karabakh." It is a thoroughly erroneous opinion." In his words, "authorities write much about lost lands in Armenia, however, this does not find a serious response in the hearts of Azeris, as indeed there is no serious connection with contemporary Armenia in the Azeri mentality." "And there is such in case of Karabakh. The same is true concerning the Armenian identity regarding Karabakh. Thus, the settlement of the conflict should be a not traditional one. I do not see a solution of the kind at the moment. I suppose simultaneous to democratization - a real one, not a declarative one - the solution of the kind will be found. First of all, simultaneous to the strengthening of the institutions of local government bodies (municipalities) and communities. In other words, we need to get rid of soviet or eastern political system as soon as possible and transfer to western political system. Then the borders will stop playing a key role," A. Yunusov summed up.