FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2009 Contact: Roupen Kouyoumdjian
(514) 334-1299
The Armenian National Committee of Canada Expresses its Profound Concern in Regards to the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Groups Co-Chair Countries’ Statement About the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Ottawa – Following the G-8 summit in L’Aquila last week, the presidents of France, Russia, and the United States -the three countries that jointly co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group- urged the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to come to an agreement based on the preliminary version of the Basic Principles for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which was presented in November 2007 in Madrid. These principles primarily call for the return of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control and, amongst others, the creation of an interim status for the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (NKR), whose final legal status would be determined in an indefinite timeframe.
The Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, Dr. Vagharch Ehramdjian, expressed his discontent concerning this statement and considered these principles flawed and unjust, because they ignore the security and the collective will of the people of the NKR. Furthermore, they increase the prospects of renewed Azerbaijani aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Dr. Ehramdjian continued, “It is unacceptable to pursue further negotiations based on the Madrid Principles. These principles will eventually turn the clock back to the forced status quo of the Soviet Era. These principles also ignore the fact that the population of NKR has expressed its will for self-determination twice, through the 1991 and 2006 referenda.” Dr. Ehramdjian also stated that since the ceasefire in 1994, Azeri authorities are constantly threatening to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by military means, echoing their ongoing politics of aggression and belligerence. In conclusion, he added, “Regarding these latest developments, we will transmit letters to the embassies of France, Russia, and the United States, which express our disappointment and deep concern.”
On Monday July 20th, a delegation of the Armenian National Committee of Canada met with high-level representatives from the embassies of France, Russia, and the United States in Canada. During the meetings, the delegates presented a letter on behalf of the Canadian-Armenians and the Declaration of the Pan-Armenian Conference on July 11th in Stepanakert, the capital of NKR. This unprecedented conference had brought together Armenians from over 25 countries, representing a broad cross-section of the political, academic, religious, business and civil society leadership from Armenia, NKR, and the Armenian Diaspora.
All three meetings were constructive and the diplomats promised to transmit the message and the concerns of the Armenian National Committee of Canada to their respective capitals.
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The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.
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Le CNAC est l'organisation politique canadienne-arménienne la plus large et influentielle. Collaborant avec une série de bureaux, chapitres et souteneurs à travers le Canada et des organisations affiliées à travers le monde, le CNAC s'occupe activement des inquiétudes de la communauté canadienne-arménienne.