Identity and Coexistence Armenians
• Where did the Armenians of Nakhijevan go that used to comprise 54% of the population?
• I personally, as a native of Karabakh, can uphold that there has not been a single good thing during those seventy years of the Soviet period. I even had to study the history of my own nation out of school, on my own. Neither did I see any economic progress.
• Azerbaijanis are unable to ensure democracy and human rights in their home country, how are they going to do that in Karabakh?
• The sole policy of Azerbaijan in Karabakh has always been and will be the expul-sion of armenians.
• Today the Kurds have legal independence in Iraq. There you are! See now what is happening to them?…
• They will come back, but will the Armenians go back?
• It can be presumed that if we give Karabakh to Azerbaijan, in a few years we will face the same policies as in the period that preceded the commencement of war.
• We are more than confident that Azerbaijan will not stick to the guarantees it committed to. Azerbaijan can never be trusted.
• This page should be written down in black. It is impossible to believe the Azer-baijanis. History has shown what is going to happen.
• There was a time when we used to compare the people of Karabakh to the Azer-baijanis. This was a result of the Azerbaijani policy.
• They could have respected the Armenians during the seventy years they had. But did they respect us?
• Who will be giving guarantees? Azerbaijan? It already had its chance. We all wit-nessed what their guarantees turned into…
• Protecting Karabakh serves the cause of protecting the Armenians.
• The coexistence of the Armenians and Azerbaijanis on the same land is no more possible. Perhaps some hundred years from now…
• Armenians and Azerbaijanis will no longer be able to live in peace as neighbors.
Many things have changed since those times…
• Generations have replaced each other in years. Today the younger generation of Azerbaijan has been fed with so much anti-Armenian propaganda that their ha-tred will never let them live in peace with the Armenians.
• The Turks want to abolish Armenia. There will never be peace between the Arme-nians and Turks.
• The tension between these two nations has always existed and will carry on. It is a centuries-long hostility that comes from our ancestors.
• The Turks have inflicted so much harm on Armenians that it is impossible to for-get.
• The conflict of Karabakh is the continuation of the hostility that originates from the Genocide.
• Safety, economic welfare and many other good things are observed in America.
So what? We should all abandon our country and go to live in America?
• There is a concept of “cosmo” in the world. The idea is letting people live wher-ever it is best for them. We should not hinder development.
• We owe to Russia by the fact that the Turks have not entered Armenia so far.
• In those days the history of Armenia was taught at the schools of Karabakh only for two months.
• How did it happen that we saw 24th of April? If we do not stick to our right of self-determination there will be more April 24s...
• The second scenario should excluded, so should its discussion be, given the fact that in case of Scenario 2 Karabakh will have the same fate as Nakhijevan.
• During the Soviet times we saw a lot of things, including the history of Nakhije-van. That is why this scenario is not acceptable for us.
• This is an unacceptable option. Never after this story will the Armenians and Turks live together. The roots of this hostility come from Western Armenia.
• What are the guarantees that there will not be another Genocide? Not a single Armenian soldier was able to live with a Turkish soldier for a single night.
• Breaking the homogeneous structure of Karabakh’s population will lead to more conflicts.
• You are so naïve that you are excluding the possibility of another Genocide by our neighbors, 94 years later.
• They are a blood-thirsty nation. You should expect danger from them any
min-• ute.We would need at least one century for the Armenians and the Turks to be able to live side by side.
• We ought to have normal relationships with all our neighbors. Our borders should be open.
• Nakhijevan is ours, too, but there are no more Armenians living there, which make the issue more complicated. Notwithstanding that, we ought to keep Kara-bakh. There lives a young generation there that is not familiar with Turkish dom-ination.
• Even if there were peace, many years would be needed for our people to coexist peacefully. We do trade with the Turks now but coexisting is totally different.
• The war is long over but our cultural monuments continue to be destroyed.
• In Baku they demolished the monument to Stepan Shahumian. Why? Didn’t he struggle for them?
• In the same way as Nakhijevan was cleared of Armenians, in case of the second scenario Karabakh will lose its Armenian population, too.
• If scenario 2 starts acting on our territories, it won’t be possible to avoid the ex-pulsion of Armenians from Nagorni Karabakh.
• There are no safety guarantees in Azerbaijan; neither for individuals nor for na-tions.
• The Azerbaijanis are lying when they say that there will be no more Sumgayits.
That is just another lie!
• The ethnic structure of the nation will change. Tell me, how can you then refrain from opening Azerbaijani schools in Azerbaijani villages?
• What are we going to do if the Azerbaijanis come to the Ararat Valley and start to proliferate. We won’t be able to coexist with them.
• Good-neighbor relations are very important. If only it were possible to avoid
• war…Artsakh will be deprived of the Armenians once again and the lands will stay unattended.
• No guarantees can ensure the rights of the Armenians under Azerbaijan.
• What kind of development are we talking about? They will immediately clear our territories of Armenians. What can develop then on the territory of Azerbaijan?
The Azerbaijanis…?
• My husband fell in Karabakh, but as opposed to many others I am for the resolu-tion of the Karabakh conflict thorough compromises so that the hostility be-tween our people comes to an end.
• We should try to bring up our kids to be tolerant people. Alas, they (the Azerbai-janis) teach their children otherwise.
• No matter how hard I try to take care of your family, I won’t be able to do even 1/10th of what you can do yourself. Respectively, why would a foreigner try his best to protect our safety?
• Why do you keep talking only about their negative aspects? We keep repeating the words of the guy from the joke: “It is not my fault: the victim came and acci-dentally fell on my sword. And that repeated eight times…:
• Both in Azerbaijan and Georgia they teach the kids distorted facts about history.
How are they going to run Armenian schools in Azerbaijan?
• The world must realize that a Christian country cannot be given away to the Muslims.
• I personally do not hate the Turks or the Azerbaijanis, but the Azerbaijani young people have definitely a totally different attitude towards the Armenians.
• When Karabakh was with Azerbaijan, we were facing the risk of losing our na-tional and cultural identity. If we adopt the second scenario the same thing will happen again.
• If the second scenario is adopted, Karabakh will soon be deprived of its Arme-nian population. The Republic of Nagorni Karabakh should be populated by Ar-menians!
• We have seen what happens if we open the borders. They better stay closed: the less we will assimilate with the Turks; we are finally our own masters. Had they stayed for a couple of more years, I do not even wish to imagine what might have happened.
• We need to move as many people from Armenia to Karabakh as possible. This way we will be able to ensure the repopulation of the area with Armenians and prevent its non-deliberate deprivation of Armenians.
• If this option is adopted, then we will lose our religion, our culture, everything.
• The Persians also frequented to our place and eventually came to stay. The same thing will happen with the Turks. Once you give them a foothold you can never get rid of them.
• Back in the Soviet times autonomy was being maintained but people were being turned into Turks.
• We are separated by their religious intolerance. We will not give ourselves in to an executioner.
• If the second scenario is adopted, Karabakh will be in a worse status than Ja-vakhq in Georgia.
• The treat of assimilation of Armenians by Azerbaijanis will incresae if the borders will be opened
• On the other hand, how long can we be in conflict with the Azerbaijanis?
• If Turkey is really interested in the solution of this issue, who will be taking cake of our compatriots who are now spread all across the world becuase of their cruel luck and Turkey’ policies?
• Back in those times our kids were about to start speaking their language with each other.
• In the second scenario, the Armenians living in Azerbaijan will gradually absorb the everyday habits and traditions of the Azerbaijanis and a few generations later there will be no Armenians there.
• In our school, fights were inescapable. The principal was Azerbaijani and we had to walk with sticks ready in our hands to prevent clashes among the children.
• They keep forging the last names of our outstanding people: Hayrapetyan be-comes Hayrapetov and so on and so forth. This is done to abolish our human resource, to assimilate us with themselves …
• The bad thing about us is that our patriotism is only instinctive and we will not move away from the sofa unless “the knife reaches our bone”.
• Scenario 2 is a gross violation of the right for peoples’ self-determination!
Azerbaijanis
• We don’t agree with the fact that Armenians would live in NK
• I always did not want Armenians to be in any governmental positions in
Azerbai-• janArmenians should get Azerbaijani education. For example in Iran they are not teaching Azerbaijani language
• I also would not like Armenian language to be taught in Azerbaijan
• Armenians can occupy the positions in Karabakh
• We should not permit the learning of languages…this is not proper
• I work in Shirvan-oil organization and reckon that it should be spoken our native language in our country
• Azerbaijan language should be taught by force
• If they don’t want they may live in other country
• If they are living with us they should obey our rules
• I am happy with all the clauses except of the one related to schools
• It should be only Azerbaijanis living in NK
• In general we would like no Armenians in our country
• They should live the same way as other ethnical groups in Azerbaijan
• As soon as the independence provided they should be provided with languages
• As soon as there is a peace they will again live comfortably as they used to
• We should not agree on Armenians to live in NK
• Armenians are very close to us
• It is impossible for 2 societies to live together
• 2 societies can only live separately – shops separate, schools should be separate
• In any case co-living is possible
• Armenians who are citizens of Azerbaijan are using the general rights
• Azerbaijan is juridical state. State system is guarantee of our security and also is guarantee for other ethnical groups living in the territory of Azerbaijan.
• Repressions and violence and other cases breaking human rights are not
accept-• ableIn the frame of constitution all the rights should be used
• Azerbaijan guarantees the observance of human rights to Armenians
• There are Armenian language schools in the territory where Armenians com-pactly live
• Azerbaijan language should be taught as national language, Azerbaijani and Ar-menian history and literature should be taught on parallel to each other
• Such scenario can not provide sustainable peace. Azerbaijan society will con-stantly be under influence.
• On the basis that Nagorno Karabakh is consistent part of Azerbaijan the eco-nomical, political and social institutions will be renewed
• Why Karabakh should get high autonomy being as a part of Azerbaijan?
• The ones that are studying in Armenian language will not learn Azerbaijani lan-guage
• Armenian can study in Armenian language if he wishes but the major native lan-guage should remain Azerbaijani lanlan-guage
• Armenian societies should have radio, newspapers
• And also Armenians should not be admitted to legislative or regulative positions
• Nationality is not taken into account during our current parliament elections
• NK Armenians should not have a chance to determine their fate themselves
• We have Russians and Jews in parliament but there is not any regulation on elec-tion of Armenian to the parliament
• There are 76 ethical groups in Azerbaijan
• Why do they not do a revolution?
• Azerbaijan is very tolerant country
• Armenians are getting used to our traditions
• The citizens of NK are Azerbaijanis and from this point of view there is not reason in giving them independence
• The state is ready to provide the high autonomy-the subject matter is not like
• thatSociety is the group of people who share one territory, culture and traditions and have the same problems
• There should be the same rights for all the citizens notwithstanding the religion and ethnical origin
• All ne nationality oriented organizations should cease their activities in the terri-tory of Azerbaijan
• NK should not be given the high autonomy. NK is not a food that we should share with our guests.
• Military forces and police are the major strength of the state. Therefore Arme-nians can not occupy these kind of positions.
• This satisfies our position. I don’t agree only with clause 4.The state should give guarantee to Armenians.
• We can justify that we can not live together with Armenians.
• One of the disadvantages here is to hand over the regulation to Armenians.
• Azerbaijan state guarantees the Armenians in the whole territory of Azerbaijan that there will be no violence, repressions and their security will be provided.
• Armenians in Azerbaijan as well as population of NK are getting the highest eth-nical and human rights.
• The population gets the opportunity to choose the language of learning which may be Armenian or any other in NK.
• The legislation provides the participation of Armenians in the management sys-tem. The legislation of military services and police meets the interests of Arme-nian society.
• The proportion should be obtained in elections and in general management.
• There are many discontents on remaining of Armenian currency and language in
• NKEven if NK is regained Armenians in this territory will be using Armenian passport
• It is not right them to obtain passports from Armenia
• NK should get the autonomy the same as Nakchivan
• It is not right to use Armenian currency (dram) in NK. Therefore we should pre-pare the population to this
• NK can get high level of independence remaining as a consistent part of Azer-baijan
• Armenian language can not be the language of studies
• Why Armenia should interfere to our business on different levels
• Let them have their own schools, television and programs but be as a part of Azerbaijan - Tatarstan Model
• If there is a peace high ethnical and human rights can be provided
• If we are providing the cultural independence we should agree with this
• A few young people claim that they would not like the schools in Armenian lan-guage exist
• If there is a peace we are not against of Armenian representatives in Azerbaijani political elite
• The conditions for living should be prepared for both societies
• Armenians should only come and go as guests
• There should be a separate school opened for Armenians
• We don’t want them to be at the regulative positions of Azerbaijan
• In general the ethnical rights should be provided
• Cultural independence
• Azerbaijan is unitary republic. We can not give the same level of independence as in Nakchivan to NK
• In education everyone can make his own choice.
• Every citizen can make his own choice of language.
• If our security is broken whilst we are in neighbourhood with Armenia then we don’t need it.
• Because they have already established their social life here.
• I will never ever study together with Armenian.
• Azerbaijanis will not go for living to the places where Armenian lived.
• Armenians can think the same. Therefore it is impossible to live together.
• We are not ready to live together with Armenians.
• We used to live with Armenians in previous times and to be in conflict at the same time.
• Also our co-living with Armenians is impossible.
• Our generation will accept it with difficult.
• Only in foreign countries we can live peacefully together.
• After a while the co-living may be possible.
• The Armenians that are in Karabakh should get Azerbaijani citizenship.
• The Nakhchivan option can be used for Karabakh.
• The establishment of Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Republic option may be acceptable for us.
• But receiving the high autonomy is not true and is not acceptable for us.
• We can let Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh to get the education in their own language.
• Armenians can occupy the appropriate positions in Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh but they have to be citizens of Azerbaijan.
• We should make the educational development
• After such an issue Azerbaijanis will not be able to live together with Armenians
• Another proposal is to build Berlin Wall in Nagorno Karabakh which will let Ar-menians to live from one side and Azerbaijanis from another side.
• Language and money should be Azerbaijani.
• In reality the Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh should be issued Armenian passport
• Nagorno Karabakh territory should remain as a part of Azerbaijan but Armenians can’t live together with Azerbaijanis.
• As Nagorno Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan the regulation should be from Azer-baijan side.
• The highest level of ethnical and human rights can be given to Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh.
• Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh may get the same rights as other small na-tional parts of Azerbaijan.
• We cannot believe that even if the peaceful agreement is signed the process of living Armenians with Azerbaijanis together peacefully is a very difficult issue.
• There is no way to accept the Armenian language and drama in NK. The prefer-ence should be given to Azerbaijan language.
• Armenian dram and language cannot remain as official monetary base and lan-guage.
• The human rights of Armenians should also be protected there.
• The preference should be given to Azerbaijan language.
• The internal and external politics of the country should be regulated only by the president.
• The citizens of Karabakh can get abroad only via Azerbaijan passport.
• Only after that the issue with respect of the rights of Armenians will be dis-cussed.
• The Armenian national currency Dram cannot be used as national currency in
• NK.It is economy standing behind any type of monetary base. The monetary system should be single.
• There will be a government guarantee of the security and human rights protec-tion of the populaprotec-tion of Karabakh which will not lead to any repressions or vio-lence
• Armenians as all the rest ethnical groups living in Azerbaijan will have the same human rights
• The education in secondary school may be self choosing but only in the frame of the educational legislation of Azerbaijan Republic
• As all the rest Azerbaijan citizens Armenians will be also be able to participate in regulation based on the legislation of Azerbaijan Republic
• The population in NK should get their passport from Azerbaijan. Special regime organizations should keep in mind the Azerbaijan population with Armenian origin.
• It will be impossible to live together
• There should not be a society of NK
• Why should we go back to separate societies? Elementary society period
• We may achieve the resolution of the conflict by establishing the democratic society
• State language should never be Armenian. however armenian minority popula-tion can use their language. But not at the State level