PARIS (Noyan Tapan)–President Kocharian–in a press conference following a CE session–said the Council of Europe should not be a forum for gladiators to battle out their disagreemen’s. Kocharian’s comment was in response to remarks made earlier by Azeri President Aliyev on the occupation of Azeri territory by "aggressive" Armenian forces.
Kocharian also commented on Armenia’s delayed admission to the CE as a result of problems involved with Azerbaijan’s membership criteria. It should be noted that the CE decided to admit both countries simultaneously to avoid any imbalances in the Caucasus.
When asked by an Azeri reporter whether Armenia was prepared to recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity–Kocharian answered–"is Azerbaijan prepared to recognize Nagorno Karabakh’s independence?"
The Armenian president specified three principles in resolving the Karabakh conflict. First–Karabakh should not have a secondary subordinate status. Second–Karabakh should not become an enclave. Third–guarantees must be made for the security of Karabakh.
