Armenian
News Network / Groong
Conversations on Groong: Arthur Khachatryan
ANN/Groong
November 3, 2022
Guest
● Arthur Khachatryan
Hosts
● Hovik Manucharyan
● Asbed Bedrossian
Introduction
Hello
and welcome to the Armenian News Network, Groong,
This episode was recorded on Thursday, November 3,
2022.
Resistance Movement and the
“Sullivan Plan”
Overview
On October 30,
Renaissance Square in Stepanakert became an endless sea of people who asserted
a clear message to the world: Any deal to assign Artsakh to Azerbaijan will be
rejected. Also on that day, the Armenian parliamentary opposition announced a
protest in support of Artsakh, to be held in Yerevan on November 5.
In this Conversations on Groong episode, we’ll
talk with a member of Armenia’s parliamentary opposition about this massive
historic rally in Artsakh, and the scheduled protest on November 5 in Yerevan.
We’ll also
discuss recent developments and the opposition’s views, about competing plans
from Russia and the West on facilitating a so-called “peace treaty” between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. Which proposal serves Armenia’s interests best?
Guests
Discussion
Stepanakert Rally
A day prior to
the meeting, on October 30, tens of thousands of people gathered in
Stepanakert’s Renaissance Square.
● What was the objective of the rally and was it
achieved?
One
of the calls heard from Renaissance Square, was an appeal to the Russian
Federation to continue its endeavor to ensure security of the Artsakhtsis.
● How much hope is there given the recent
declaration in Sochi?
Sullivan Plan vs Putin’s Plan
In
the analyst community it is common belief that there are two competing plans
for signing a so-called “peace treaty” between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The
West’s plan, which Pashinyan said is also acceptable to him, involves the
recognition of sovereignty of Azerbaijan over Artsakh based on the UN Charter
and the 1991 Alma Ata declaration.
A
week ago, another member of the Hayastan Dashinq, Gegham Manukyan, symbolically tore up
a copy of what is commonly referred to as the “Sullivan Plan” in the Armenian
National Assembly. Meanwhile, it is clear that Russia is offering its own
version of principles, where Putin has given some hints that Russia would
support mentioning “unique attributes” of Armenians in Karabakh as part of a
peace deal. However, based on the results of the latest Sochi trilateral
meeting, this position was vetoed by Azerbaijan.
● What is the position of the opposition on how
Armenia should react to the Western and Russian proposals?
● In your discussions with your Western
counterparts, do you believe that your message about self-determination of
Artsakh is perceived properly by the “international community”?
–
On
October 31, Pashinyan, Aliyev and Putin met in Sochi. It became clear that the
sides are far from agreeing on all issues. But they did issue a statement on
whatever they could agree.
The
statement continued to put an equal weight between Azerbaijan’s maximalist
agenda of security concerns vs. humanitarian issues. The statement said that
demarcation and delimitation would be done based on the 1991 Alma Ata
declaration, but self determination of Artsakh (which
is also part of the same declaration) is completely avoided. In fact, Karabakh
is not even mentioned, and even to designate the location for peacekeepers they
simply mention “the location of disposition of the peacekeepers”.
● How do these plans offered to us by Armenia’s
Western partners differ from those of the Russian plans?
● Some politicians have expressed
the position that it is in the best interests of Armenia not to sign anything
at this time. Do you agree? If so, how should Armenia respond to pressures from
all sides to sign what would be qualified as another capitulation?
Upcoming Protest on November 5
Following the
protest in Stepanakert the Armenian opposition has announced a demonstration in
Yerevan on November 5.
● Are you concerned about apathy from people?
● What explains the long pause in opposition
protests?
● On Nov 5 will protesters be told to go home
again and wait for further news?
● Is it still the goal of the opposition to remove
Nikol Pashinyan?
Wrap-up
That
was our show and we hope you found it helpful. We invite
your feedback and your suggestions. You can find
us on most social
media and podcast platforms, or our website Groong.org. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel on
YouTube, Follow us on Twitter, and Like our Facebook page.
Thanks
to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts. On behalf of everyone in this
episode, we thank you for listening. Stay well, we’ll be back next week.
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Keywords
Arthur
Khachatryan, ARF, Stepanakert, Artsakh, Karabakh, November 5, Sullivan Plan,
Russia, United States, Russia, Putin, UN Charter, Alma Ata, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Opposition, Armenia Alliance, Hayastan Dashinq
