ISSUE 6

PAGE 3

"The four" disclosed the All-national Charter


The charter was sent to the President on 15 September

Zabil Mugabiloglu

The all national principles (all-national charter) worked out by "the four" - Eldar Namazov, former head of the Presidential Secretariat, Tofig Zulfugarov, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nazim Imanov, a member of ANIP Political Council and Sabit Bagirov, former SOCAR President, were finally submitted to the public discussion. The authors of the all-national charter held a press conference at the "Ayna" Press House declaring that Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict can be settled only on the basis of the principles worked out by them and carrying all-national character.
N.Imanov said the charter envisages that in the first phase, Azerbaijan's all occupied territories must be liberated and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity must be restored. In the 2nd phase, Azerbaijan's IDPs are replaced in their homelands (Shusha, Khojali and other districts of Nagorno Karabakh). After the 2 phases, the right to self-management can be granted to Armenian and Azerbaijanian people of Nagorno Karabakh in the third phase. But according to N.Imanov, the authorities ensuring Azerbaijan's sovereignty must be retained in the power of higher governmental bodies. According to ANIP official, the third provision of the charter envisages that in case peaceful settlement of the problem is not possible, Azerbaijan must liberate by force its territories from the Armenian occupation in compliance with the republican Constitution, UNO statute and relevant resolution of its Security Council. According to Imanov, some 600 people including representatives of political parties and social unities, intellectuals and others have signed the charter. It was also discussed at 5th session of the World Azerbaijanis' Congress held in Malmo city of Sweden and was unanimously approved by the session participants. According to N.Imanov, the National NGO forum including some 260 NGOs also backed the charter, which was sent on 15 September to the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev.
Eldar Namazov disclosed the urgency for preparation and essence of the charter. According to him, now mediators

give preference to standpoints of the Azerbaijani and Armenian community in resolution of the conflict. According to him, Armenia has already worked out its common position in settlement of the conflict and both the government and the opposition have accepted it. "Under the document, Armenians demand that Nagorno Karabakh should not directly submit to Azerbaijan, it should remain in enclave and the international community should ensure its security. Therefore, we worked out the charter and are confident that it will contribute to strengthening Azerbaijan's position in the talks within the OSCE Minsk group.
E.Namazov also spoke about the benefits the charter would bring to Azerbaijan. According to him, the urgency of the charter is also connected with significant internal political factors. According to him, during the talks for the problem, the Minsk group co-chairs also take into consideration the internal situation in Azerbaijan and Armenia.
"You see, after the Armenian parliament worked out a document on common position of Armenians, international organizations have mainly exerted pressure on Azerbaijan. Because after the document, they understand the meaningless of exerting pressure on Robert Kocharyan". According to the political scientist, they will meet with the ambassadors of Minsk group co-chair countries to Azerbaijan and submit them the document. The Charter will also be sent to Minsk group co-chairs.
In response to the question whether the President will sign the document, T.Zulfugarov said he thought that the President would regard the issue positively.
"I think, the head of state will back the character. I see no problem here". According to T.Zulfugarov, irrelevant of who will support the charter, the document includes the Azerbaijanian society's position."
N.Imanov expressed confidence that who had signed the charter would retain their positions till the end: "We think, serious men won't reject their signatures".