"Solidarity for Karabakh" Forum Calls for War

The Forum "Solidarity for Karabakh" was dedicated to search for a consensus on resolving the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The event was organized by a coalition of 14 NGOs, "For free-Karabakh."

One of the initiators, the head of the Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO), Akif Nagi, said at the opening the conference, the event was dedicated in celebration of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis on December 31.

According to Nagi, this is a message to the Azerbaijani Diaspora, to strengthen efforts in attracting world attention to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, and to develop a common position in society.

"The people have a common position on the Karabakh issue and the people did not give up their land," said the leader of the party "Musavat", Isa Gambar, responding to Nagi Gambar call to solve the Karabakh issue peacefully. The question is who negotiates and how. He condemned the policy by authorities, adding that statements made by officials, "if needed other means will be taken» have become a mantra causing a joke amongst the population. 

"The Karabakh problem has been compared to the Palestinian question. Palestine is supported by Arab states, but nobody protects us," said the head of the United Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev. According to him, in case of war, Russia and Iran support Armenia. 

He questioned the possibility of a settlement to the issue through negotiations, and the power of democratic forces. However, Hasanguliyev believes if the Azerbaijani society demand authorities to leave the occupied territory through war, the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan are real.

Deputy Chairman of the Popular Front, Nureddin Mammadli, said that official Baku uses the Karabakh problem, to stay in power and not to conduct democratic reforms. "Karabakh can be released only the power, relying on the will of the people," said Mammadov.

The final declaration calls on international organizations and Armenia to give up the illusion of infinite possibilities to maintain the status quo. The Forum demanded the UN and other international organizations to influence Armenia to end the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. In addition, a rejection of the mediation mission of OSCE Minsk Group is proposed.

At the same time, a demand from Azerbaijani authorities to take immediate towards the liberation of Azerbaijani territories by military force. Finally, it calls upon it’s citizens and in the Diaspora to consolidate efforts in restoring the territorial integrity of the country. —05D06-