Leaked Document Sheds Light On Karabakh 'Common State' Deal

[Ararat]

RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY http://www.rferl.org/ http://www.rferl.org/bd/ar/reports/today.html

 

Leaked Document Sheds Light On Artsax 'Common State' Deal

 

Amid a new flurry of diplomatic activity over the long-awaited resolution of the Nagorno-Artsax conflict, details are emerging of the most recent international peace proposals that called for the creation of a "common state" between the Armenian-populated disputed region and Azerbaijan.

 

Several media outlets in Yerevan, including the RFE/RL Armenian Service, have obtained copies of what appears to be the Armenian translation of the plan, put forward in November 1998 by the American, French and Russian co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. The plan, largely approved by the Armenian side, was rejected at the time by Azerbaijan on the grounds that it did not uphold Azerbaijani sovereignty over Artsax.

 

Provisions contained in the document confirm the widely- held belief that the mediators pushed for a peace deal that would give the enclave de-facto independence by placing it under a loose confederation with Azerbaijan. Artsax would enjoy the internationally recognized status of a republic with its own constitution, armed forces and a power to veto any legislation passed by the authorities in Baku. Armenian and Artsax officials familiar with the peace process have confirmed the authenticity of the document, fueling speculation that it has been deliberately leaked ahead of another meeting between Presidents Robert Kocharian and Heydar Aliev.

 

That the leak was not accidental became clear on Wednesday when the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry officially disclosed the content of all three peace plans drafted by the Minsk Group since 1997. ITAR-TASS news agency said the extraordinary move came ahead of Friday's session of Azerbaijan's parliament which will discuss the Artsax issue. The disclosure of what until recently was considered confidential information may thus be part of a concerted effort to test domestic public opinion before an impending peace deal. Kocharian's spokesman Vahe Gabrielian, however, denied any link between the document's simultaneous circulation in Yerevan and Baku, telling RFE/RL that the two governments struck no secret deals on that score.

 

Kocharian and Aliev are due to travel to Paris early next month for their fifteenth face-to-face meeting in two years. The talks, to be again sponsored by French President Jacques Chirac, will proceed amid renewed hopes for a decisive breakthrough in the peace process. Chirac discussed the issue by telephone with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin on Monday. The "New York Times" reported on Tuesday the French leader was "guardedly optimistic about a possible settlement" in a lengthy phone conversation with President George W. Bush on February 1. The paper said relief agencies are already putting together a "multibillion-dollar aid package" that would be part of the future peace treaty.

 

Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said last week that Chirac has suggested general "principles" for solving the conflict and that agreement on them will place a solution within reach. The Armenians have said repeatedly that they will not agree to make any major concessions besides those envisaged by the common state plan. Key provisions of the document in question could therefore shed light on what the most likely peace settlement will look like.

 

A senior Armenian diplomatic source said the five-page document, titled "Principles of the Comprehensive Settlement of the Armed Conflict in Nagorno-Artsax," is identical with what the Minsk Group co-chairs suggested more than two years ago. Speaking to RFE/RL on the condition of anonymity, one Artsax government official likewise confirmed that it is authentic, while noting a "somewhat inaccurate" translation from English. The official made it clear that Stepanakert had accepted the plan only as a basis for further discussions.

 

Article 1 of the would-be peace deal stipulates that Artsax and Azerbaijan shall form a "common state" to be governed by a "joint commission" comprising representatives of the two entities, both of which would bring their constitutions into conformity with the peace agreement. Neither of them could change constitutional provisions regarding the common state unilaterally. The Nagorno-Artsax Republic (NKR) would form its executive, legislative and judicial branches as well as a "national guard" and police units.

 

"The Azerbaijani army, security and police forces shall not be allowed to enter the territory of Nagorno-Artsax without the consent of the Nagorno-Artsax authorities," the document reads. Furthermore, "Azerbaijani laws, regulations and executive directives have a legal force in Nagorno-Artsax so long as they do not contradict the latter's Constitution and laws."

 

Artsax residents would travel abroad with specially marked Azerbaijani passports. Only the government in Stepanakert would be empowered to grant such passports and residency permits. And Armenian would be the NKR's "main official language."

 

Artsax Armenians would be able to establish "direct relations" with foreign states in "economic, trade, scientific, cultural, sports and humanitarian fields." This also involves the right to have diplomatic missions abroad, which would nonetheless have to be affiliated with Azerbaijani embassies.

 

The package of proposals includes a separate agreement on military disengagement. Armenian and Azerbaijani forces would retreat from their current positions north and east of Artsax to create a "buffer zone" controlled by a multi-national peacekeeping force acting under the OSCE aegis. Artsax Armenian forces would then gradually withdraw from six occupied districts in Azerbaijan proper. The strategic Lachin district, which provides for the shortest overland link between Artsax and Armenia, would remain under their control pending further agreement on its future. All heavy weapons would be moved to specially selected locations.

 

Also according to the document, Armenia and Azerbaijan would open their borders for the movement of people and cargoes through each other's territory parallel to the troop withdrawal. The border between the two neighboring states has been closed since the start of fighting in 1991.

 

The Minsk Group plan calls for the formation of an Armenian-Azerbaijani "inter-governmental commission" tasked with normalizing bilateral relations. Overall responsibility for peace implementation would rest with a "permanent mixed commission" headed by a representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office. More important, Russia, the US and France would act as guarantors of the proposed settlement, while the OSCE or the UN Security Council would have a mandate to take military action to ensure the parties' compliance with their obligations.

 

Emil Danielyan

 

[ February 21, 2001: Message edited by: Ararat ]

[MosJan]

DETAILS OF THE "COMMON STATE" CONCEPT PUBLISHED IN YEREVAN

21.02.2001

 

YEREVAN, February 21. /Mediamax/. Today Yerevan "Aravot" paper published the details of the "common state" concept, suggested by the OSCE Minsk Group in 1998 for the Artsax issue settlement.

Armenia and Nagorno Artsax accepted the proposal as a basis for negotiations, while Azerbaijan rejected it. The mediators note that this proposal, among others, still remains on the agenda. Armenian officials don't exclude that talks can continue within the frames of the "common state" concept.

"Nagorno Artsax is a state and territorial formation as a republic, which forms a common state with Azerbaijan within the internationally recognized borders of the latter", the document says. To coordinate joint efforts, the OSCE Minsk Group proposes establishing representation offices of Nagorno Artsax and Azerbaijan in Stepanakert and Baku. While discussing issues, which are of interest for Stepanakert, Nagorno Artsax participates in carrying out Azerbaijan's foreign policy, the document says. "Decisions concerning such questions may be taken without the consent of both parties", the mediators propose.

The document, published today in "Aravot" paper, states that the borders of Nagorno Artsax will correspond to the borders of Nagorno Artsax Autonomous District (NKAD), and possible boundary changes can become a subject of separate agreements between Nagorno Artsax and Azerbaijan. According to the "common state" concept, NKR will have its own Constitution, passed by referendum.

Citizens of Nagorno Artsax will get Azeri passports with a special note "Nagorno Artsax". The document says that Nagorno Artsax will have its own national guards (security forces), formed on a voluntary basis, and police. At the same time these forces can't operate outside NKR borders without Azerbaijan's consent.

The "common state" concept presupposes that after the peace agreement is signed, troops will be withdrawn and buffer zone will be formed along the Nagorno Artsax boundaries. The document also determines the right of Azeri and Armenian refugees to return freely to the towns of Shushi and Shahumian. --0--

[surorus]

Mos,

I am from Shahumian. Recently Azeries shot a tape of city of Shahumian and sold it to Shahumiantsis in Moscow. My relatives have sent a copy to me. Not a single house in the city is standing. Everything is completely destroyed, so that there is nothing left for Armenians to want to return. One day I wish to go to Shahumian only to see the house site where I grew up, and visit the site of cemetery where my grandfather is buried.

[MosJan]

this is only the 10% of the document

 

-> Armenia and Nagorno Artsax accepted the proposal <- ???

i wonder if this hed somthing to do with oct-27 and samvel babayan - i hope i'm wrong -

[MJ]

Despan News

 

What Does Common-State Mean? (2/21/01)

 

"Nagorno Artsax is a state and territorial entity with the status of a

republic and forms a common state with Azerbaijan within its internationally

recognized borders. In order to promote relations and coordinate joint

activity, representations of Nagorno Artsax and Azerbaijan will be opened

in Baku and Stepanakert. Nagorno Artsax will participate in the

implementation of Azerbaijan's foreign policy on issues of interest to it.

Decisions with regards to such issues may be adopted without the agreement

of both sides.

 

"The borders of Nagorno Artsax will correspond to the boundaries of the

former Nagorno Artsax Autonomous Region. Their corrections or alterations

may become a subject of special mutual agreements between Azerbaijan and

Nagorno Artsax. Borders between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Artsax will be

bilaterally open for the free movement of unarmed citizens.

 

"Force or threats of use of force shall not be applied in the settlement of

disputes between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Artsax. In the event of unresolved

disputes or disagreements within the framework of the joint commission, the

sides may ask for the opinion of the OSCE chairman-in-office, which will be

taken into account during the adoption of a final decision.

 

"Nagorno Artsax will have its own constitution adopted in a referendum by

the people of Nagorno Artsax. Citizens of Nagorno Artsax will have

Azerbaijani passports with the special designation Nagorno Artsax. Only

the government of Nagorno Artsax will have the right to issue such

passports. Nagorno Artsax will have a National Guard (security force)

formed on a voluntary basis and a police force. These forces may not act

outside of Nagorno Artsax without the consent of Azerbaijan's government.

 

"Armenian is the main state language of Nagorno Artsax and Azerbaijani is

the second official language.

 

About the Lachin Corridor

 

"The use of the Lachin corridor for free communication between Nagorno

Artsax and Armenia will become a subject of agreement if according to the

agreement between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Artsax no other decisions are

adopted on the special regime of the Lachin region. The Lachin area must

remain a demilitarized zone.

 

About Shushi and Shaumyan

 

"The sides agree that all Azeri refugees may return to their homes in

Shushi. The relevant authorities of Nagorno Artsax will guarantee their

security. They will have equal rights with all other citizens of Nagorno

Artsax, including the right to create political parties, participate in

elections at all levels, elect and be elected in state and legislative

bodies and in local and juridical bodies, and work in state services,

including law enforcement agencies. Such rights will also be granted to

Armenian refugees returning to the town of Shaumyan.

 

Agreement On Cessation of Armed Hostilities

 

"Any Armenian forces deployed outside the borders of the Republic of Armenia

must return to within its borders. Nagorno Artsax forces must withdraw to

the borders of the Nagorno Artsax Autonomous Region of 1988, except for

the Lachin area, until the adoption of an agreement on free communication

between Nagorno Artsax and Armenia. The territory vacated as a result of

this withdrawal will become a buffer zone and a separation zone. After the

withdrawal of forces a buffer zone will be created around the boundaries of

the Nagorno Artsax Autonomous Region. In the event of an additional

arrangement, it can also pass along the boundaries of the Lachin area. The

buffer zone shall be unpopulated and must be fully demilitarized, excluding

OSCE peacekeeping forces".

 

10 November 1998

 

The National Security Ministry responded to our query: "Since 1998 until

today no changes have been made to the document. Armenia and Artsax

adopted the document as grounds for the resumption of negotiations, while

Azerbaijan did not".

[MosJan]

22 February 2001

NEWS BRIEFS

Kocharian Downplays Disclosed Peace Proposals On Artsax

 

President Robert Kocharian on Thursday denied any far-reaching motives behind the publication in Armenia and Azerbaijan of all proposals to end the Nagorno-Artsax conflict, made by international mediators from the OSCE over the past four years. Kocharian said Azerbaijan's decision to officially publicize the three different peace plans on Wednesday took him by surprise. "This was sudden and unexpected for me," he told reporters after chairing a cabinet meeting in Yerevan.

The most recent of the proposals, presented to the conflicting parties in late 1998 by the Russian, US and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, was leaked to the Armenian media on Monday. The virtually simultaneous disclosure of the confidential information has fueled speculations that Yerevan and Baku seek to gauge their domestic public opinions before sealing a long-awaited settlement. Leading opposition parties in Azerbaijan were on Thursday preparing to hold mass rallies to thwart what they said is an imminent "defeatist" deal with Armenia.

 

But Kocharian downplayed the significance of the unveiled Minsk Group documents, saying that they are part of the "history but not the present day of the issue's settlement." "We have not discussed any of those variants for at least one-and-a-half years," Kocharian said, referring to his direct contacts with Azerbaijan's President Heydar Aliev.

 

The two leaders have met 14 times in nearly two years to discuss ways of resolving the Artsax dispute. They are due to hold another meeting in Paris early next month. The previous talks, described as "quite constructive and interesting," were also held in the French capital under the sponsorship of President Jacques Chirac.

 

The Armenian leader also said that the American, French and Russian mediators are cooperating with each other in a "very constructive and united way." "Russia is an active participant of the Nagorno-Artsax peace process," he added.

 

In Baku, representatives of over 50 Azerbaijani parties vowed to block any peace deal which would not lead to the restoration of Baku's direct control of Artsax, the Azerbaijani Turan news agency reported. Dismissing all three Minsk Group documents as unacceptable, they accused the Aliev government of preparing the domestic public to accept the idea of a "common state" between Artsax and Azerbaijan, which is at the heart of the 1998 plan. Baku rejected the plan at the time.

 

The Azerbaijani parliament is scheduled to discuss the issue at an extraordinary session on Friday.

 

(Emil Danielyan) http://www.rferl.org/bd/ar/reports/today.html

[MosJan]

Artsax SETTLEMENT PROCESS HAS REACHED A FAVORABLE POINT, ARMENIAN POLITICIAN THINKS

22.02.2001

 

YEREVAN, February 22. /Mediamax/. Leader of "Orinats Yerkir" party Arthur Baghdasarian said today that the process of the Artsax conflict settlement has reached a favorable point, mainly because of the activation of mediatory efforts of France.

According to Baghdasarian, Azeri authorities are also interested in speeding up the conflict resolution, "due to supposed coming change of leadership in the country".

[MosJan]

PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA HAVE REACHED A VERBAL AGREEMENT ON PRINCIPLES OF Artsax DISPUTE SETTLEMENT, V. GULIYEV SAID

22.02.2001

 

YEREVAN, February 22. /Mediamax/. Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Vilayat Guliyev stated that during the Parisian talks of 26 January 2001 the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia reached a verbal agreement on principles of Artsax conflict settlement.

As Trend reports, Guliyev also said that Aliyev and Kocharian will have another meeting in France at the beginning of March.

Answering the question, whether Azerbaijan's acceptance of the proposal of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen with the "common state" concept is possible, Guliyev said that he couldn't say anything concrete on this.

Commenting the coming discussions over the ways of Artsax conflict settlement in Azerbaijani Milli Majlis on Feb. 23, the minister informed that no decisions are expected to be taken at that session.

Guliyev also said that it's untimely yet to submit for referendum the principle of Artsax issue resolution. The presidents, he continued, can take this decision. Guliyev said that the Minsk Group co-chairmen will soon pay a visit to the region and will make their proposals on the conflict settlement. --0--

[TigrannesIII]

All this common state BS is is another word for autonomy. "Broad deal of autonomy" as Aliyev liked to put it. This 'deal' is BS and one-sided. The brave soldiers didn't give their lives to have Artsakh remain within the boundaries of Azerbaijan.

 

A war was fought. The soldiers of Artsakh routed Azerbaijan. Why can't the Azeris deal with this?

[MJ]

Simply put - they don't have to. A war was not won by us - only a battle.

[TigrannesIII]

MJ- Don't say 'us', you and I didn't fight, out of respect for those who did fight, I have now begun to refrain from saying 'us' (as of yesterday).

 

6 years does not equal one battle. It was war, and it was won by the Armenians. If a war can last only 6 days, then 6 years is definitely a war.

 

If the Azeris think that it 'was only a battle' then let them come again, they were routed last time, and this time the Diaspora will be much more aware. Azerbaijan can't win. The Azeris are in no position to start a new mission of conquest.

[MJ]

Dear Rich,

I choose not to reply on the first part of your argument.

However, I will formulate my answer to your subsequent statements as a question:

Don't you think that if Azerbaijan had lost a war it would've known about it?

I think there is no need to negate your last statement, either.

[TigrannesIII]

By your logic then, the conflict was only between the Armenians of Artsakh and the RoAzerbaijan. Since Artsakh declared independence and Azerbaijan invaded its sovereign territory, this was an act of war. Thus, Azerbaijan should know it lost the war.

[TigrannesIII]

I once made a presentation on the Caucasus, and this is what I said.

'As of today Armenians are in total control. The Azerbaijanis are just too stupid to realize that they have been routed.'

[MJ]

OK.

[MosJan]

sa bavakanin tsavali temma e - sakayn voirkan el tsavali yerevi te miyak lutsumnne HAyastani yev Karabaghi hamar -

 

yev Patmagetner@ k@gren mi or@ HAyer@! Karabaghum Baroyakan HArdanak Unetsan - inchpes Avariyri jakatamartum -

 

apsos vor etkan aryun enk tapel u etkan Zoher enk tvel et mi ktor hori hamar vor esor Artsaxi Tran Rubik@ Kocharyan 2 storagrutyunov ta azerun -

 

iyspisi mi arajark nuynisk gorbachevn er katarel mez 1989 -1990 tvakanin sakayn menk merjetsink ...

 

Iyo kriv@ hardetsink sakayn menk inchpes misht partvats enk .

[MosJan]

AZERI PRESIDENT SPOKE ABOUT INACCEPTABILITY OF ALL THE THREE PROPOSALS OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP

23.02.2001

 

YEREVAN, February 23. /Mediamax/. Azeri President Heydar Aliyev said in Milli Majlis today that the proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group do not meet Azerbaijan's interests.

Bilik Dunyasi agency quoted Aliyev as saying that if Azerbaijan accepted the "common state" concept, it would lose the sovereignty over Nagorno Artsax. President of Azerbaijan expressed discontentment with the other proposals of the mediators as well, stressing that they can't be a basis for talks over the Artsax dispute. Aliyev said he would never sign a peace agreement, which contradicted the national interests of Azerbaijan. If any consensus proposal comes up, it will be certainly submitted for public discussion, Azeri president said. --0--

[MosJan]

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS TO SUPPORT ALIYEV'S EFFORTS ON Artsax CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

23.02.2001

 

YEREVAN, February 23. /Mediamax/. Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Vilayat Guliyev, speaking in Milli Majlis today, called on Azeri people to support H. Aliyev in achieving soonest peace resolution of the conflict.

The discussion of the ways of Artsax conflict peace settlement is being held in Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis today. As "Trend" reports, president of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, as well as responsible officials from the parliament, the Foreign Ministry, political parties, diplomatic missions, accredited in Baku, as well as public figures take part in the meeting.

Azeri President, who spoke at the meeting, informed the prerequisites of the Artsax peace process and the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group. H. Aliyev stressed that Azeri people got the opportunity to get acquainted with the three proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group on the Artsax issue settlement, published in Azeri official press, and to express their own opinion. Aliyev stated that he thinks the present process is "very complicated, but progressing". He stressed the importance of the compromises to be made by both the conflicting sides.

Azeri Foreign Minister V. Guliyev said "they haven't succeeded yet to achieve honourable peace with Armenia".

Azeri former foreign ministers Hassan Hassanov, Tofik Zulfugarov and ex state counsellor for foreign policy issues Vafa Guluzade took part in the discussions. --0--

[MosJan]

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DENIES INFORMATION ABOUT "VERBAL AGREEMENT" BETWEEN PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

23.02.2001

 

YEREVAN, February 23. /Mediamax/. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vardan Oskanian denied today at the talk with the journalists the information that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached a verbal agreement on principles of Artsax conflict settlement.

Azeri Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev declared on Thursday that during the Parisian talks of 26 January 2001 the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia "reached a verbal agreement on the principles of Artsax conflict settlement". --0--

[MosJan]

ALIYEV LEAVES FOR PARIS ON MARCH 3 TO HOLD ANOTHER MEETING WITH KOCHARIAN

23.02.2001

 

YEREVAN, February 23. /Mediamax/. The press office of the President of Azerbaijan informed today that Heydar Aliyev will leave for Paris on March 3 on the invitation of the French President Jacques Chirac.

The press service reports that "during his stay in Paris Aliyev will hold another round of talks with his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian over Artsax dispute settlement". The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will first hold a tete-a-tete meeting, after what Jacques Chirac will join the talks.

Azerbaijani "Bilik Dunyasi" agency reports that the new Kocharian-Aliyev meeting will last 3 days.

An informed source in the Armenian leadership told Mediamax on Feb. 17 that in early-March the meeting of the presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and France will take place in Paris. The sources noted that the meeting will be held between President Kocharian's visits to Kiev on March 1-2 and to Vienna on March 6-7. It was earlier assumed that the next meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan would take place on the Armenian-Azeri border. However, the source said, Jacques Chirac's participation in the talks "makes the process more effective". --0--

[MosJan]

LEADERS OF 50 PARTIES AND NGO'S OF AZERBAIJAN SPEAK AGAINST Artsax CONFLICT SETTLEMENT BASED ON OSCE MINSK GROUP PROPOSALS

23.02.2001

 

YEREVAN, February 23. /Mediamax/. Leaders of about 50 political parties and non-governmental organizations of Azerbaijan declared that they will call on the nation to mass actions of protest if today, at the parliament discussion of the issue of Artsax conflict settlement, the positive attitude of authorities towards the signing of "capitulation" peace with Armenia on the basis of the OSCE Minsk Group proposals will be revealed.

As RIA-News reports, the statement of the leaders notes that the proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group contradict the Constitution of the country and the norms of international right. --0--

[Paul bunyan]

after reading about this incredibly foolish US supported treaty which negates all that was won from the enemy forcing Armenians to give all of the reclaimed regions which are rightfully the property of the Armenians back to azeri control the treaty magnanimously allows Armenians to at least keep one of the marzs that so many fought and DIED for but only pending further negotiations with azerbaijan also the marz the Armenians will get to keep will not be Karvajar that will be given to azeribaijan thus giving them a wedge between Armenia and Artsakh all the better to attack both of them from many fortifyied positions you could spend all day talking about whats wrong with this foolish and wicked treaty which does nothing but subjugate Armenia and Artsakh to azeribaijan what does the readership think about Robert Kocharian supporting this gross and unfair treaty is his supporting it just a diplomat's trick (he has no intention of allowing any azeri control over Artsakh or the reclaimed regions) to get aid from the US or is he actually selling out Artsakh to get valuable US investments for poverty stricken Armenia?