As the date of the Kazan talks fast approaches, Armenian society shows considerable concern over the outcome of the meeting between Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev. The roadmap or the basic principles, which the sides are expected to sign, are believed by the general public to be unfavorable for Armenia. These fears have been kindled particularly by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarovթ§Չ-Չ§s recent statements that the sides have reached a common agreement on the deployment of peacekeeping forces in the conflict zone, as well as the return of certain regions. However, many political scientists in Armenia consider it a habitual distortion of the reality or yet another diplomatic trick intended for flirting with the Azerbaijani public.թԹ
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At the latest meeting with the OSCE co-chairmen, on June 10, 2011, Eduard Nalbandyan, Foreign Minister of Armenia, touched upon his Azeri counterpartթ§Չ-Չ§s misleading statements, qualifying his statements as թ§Չ-ժdistorting the essence of the negotiationsթ§Չ-Թ and թ§Չ-ժpresenting fabricated details.թ§Չ-Թ
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Despite these assurances, the Armenian public has reasons for concern. Not too long ago, Serzh Sargsyan, who has imposed himself on the Armenian citizens as their countryթ§Չ-Չ§s president, declared publicly: թ§Չ-ժAghdam is not our fatherland.թ§Չ-Թ This statement was an unequivocal announcement of readiness to cede some or all of the regions that were outside the borders of the Soviet Artsakh but our under the control of the Artsakh armed forces today. The failure to populate those territories, as well as to create livable conditions for the inhabitants to stay, is an indicator for the Armenian self-declared presidentթ§Չ-Չ§s inclination toward signing an unfavorable deal.
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In this context, it is necessary that the Armenian public in Armenia and Diaspora should speak out against the defeatist policies of the Armenian authorities. All historical grounds aside, the current borders of Artsakh are the most optimal for ensuring the security of the republic and its population in the face of war-mongering Azerbaijan. The position of the Artsakh front-line alone is an important counterbalance to Azerbaijanթ§Չ-Չ§s growing military and economic superiority. With such strong borders, thereթ§Չ-Չ§s no need in deployment of peacekeeping forces.
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Ara K. ManoogianթԹ isթԹ a human rights activist representing theթԹ Shahan Natalie Family FoundationթԹ in Artsakh and Armenia; a Fellow of the Washington-basedթԹ Policy Forum ArmeniaթԹ (PFA); creator ofթԹ www.thetruthmustbetold.com.
Ara K. Manoogian
lragir.am
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