YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–"We know that the interests of the Great Powers collide in our region. We realize that ?oil democracy’ functions in Azerbaijan–and today the great powers view Azerbaijan as an oil state–and not as a democratic one. And that is where the danger lies for Karabakh," said Karabakh Prime Minister and acting President Leonard Petrosian at a meeting with Congressman George Radanovich (R-Calif.) and his wife–Friday at Karabakh’s permanent mission to Armenia in Yerevan.
As was reported before–the Congressman’s visit to Karabakh planned for Friday was canceled because of inclement weather.
Radanovich passed Leonard Petrosian the text of an appeal he was going to make at the National Assembly of Karabakh.
During the meeting the two discussed the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Radanovich said that he had an opportunity to learn the problems Armenia and Karabakh encounter.
Petrosian noted that the Karabakh views the negotiations taking place within the OSCE Minsk Group as a positive step forward. According to him–the principles nominated at the Lisbon Summit are to a certain extent an attempt to predetermine Karabakh’s status. The most urgent thing–according to Petrossian–is to ensure the security of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Petrosian added that more admissible forms of contact between Azerbaijan and Karabakh will contribute to positive bilateral relations.
Radanovich said he understood Karabakh’s fears and promised to support the republic in the negotiations.