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1. One “compromise” is this:
   Some (not all) liberated territory to be gifted to Azerbaijan.
   All land between Artsakh and Armenia will remain in Armenian hands exclusively.
   Buffer area around all of Artsakh to be de-militarized on the Azeri side.
   Azerbaijan to admit fault, apologize, and restore the historical Armenian monuments it has destroyed.
   Artsakh is independent and recognized as such by every country.
   Artsakh and Azerbaijan to work out economic and other relations including cultural etc.
   No return of any refugees.

2. Well said!! Tough dilemma as Armenia is suffering economically and politically as a result of some sort of resolution of this issue. Will there be anyone left in the country to defend the borders in let’s say 25 years? Emigration is killing the country.

3. None of the liberated territories are up for negotiation, will Turkey negotiate with Armenia returning Western Armenia back?

4. This article makes my heart bleed….didn’t we learn to do any better?.Our past experiences should have thought us something .
   Once TURKS/ AZERIES/RUSSIANS create an alliance Armenia doesn’t stand a chance to negotiate?…

5. I agree with the author of the article. What does Armenia get from Russia in exchange for the loyalty it has shown. The Armenians should give Russia the following bottom line settlement: 1, with regard to Artsach along the terms proposed by the author and 2. that requires the simultaneous normalization of relations with Turkey. In short no settlement until there is a total lasting peace agreement involving not only Azerbaijan but also Turkey. Any other alternative is death by a thousand cuts. If Putin wants a new relationship with Turkey then part of the deal is a final complete Artsach de jure solution with Azerbaijan and a complete normalization with Turkey. If he can’t produce that then what is the benefit of Armenia’s pro Russian decision. Putin may think he can roll over and sacrifice Armenia in his quest for a Turkish relationship that sees Turkey out of NATO but he should be disabused at the outset from thinking Armenia or Artsach will be a party to such skulduggery.

6. Israel pushes for the concept of ‘defensible borders’ in any future peace settlement with Palestine. The concept is not unique; it was widely applied in deciding on post-WW2 borders in Europe (exchange of territories and population). The same concept should apply to any Artsakh – Azerbaijan settlement to insure sustainable solution.

7. Some of these troll comments guys if u dnt kno much bout other country polotics dnt comment

8. NOT AN INCH OF LAND! Armenians would rather die with honor than negotiate with a Turk. Let anyone suggest otherwise and we will make Baku burn….

9. Nothing illustrates the lack of a viable foreign policy for Armenia, then the NKR negotiations. It is shameful that Armenia and NKR are not on the same page. This is the impact of NKR being “univited” to the negotiations. As the years go on it is not surprising the their interests diverge. While Armenia is more concerned(at this government) with Russia, NKR is building a nation and must deal with the domestic impact of 25 years of war and survival.
   My thoughts on our negotiating position:

   1. No return to negotiations until all border violations cease on monitoring mechanisms in place( supposedly
   agreed to).
   2. No negotiations until NKR returns to the negotiations.
   3. Territorial exchanges will be replaced with border discussions that focus on national security.
   4. “Refugee” returns will include the expulsion of 350,000 Armenians from Azerbaijan and will be reviewed in the
   context of restitution.
   5. The “referendum” provision is cancelled as a result of 25 years of statehood and realities associated within that
   timeframe.

   President Sargsyan has a responsibility to the Armenian people. That responsibility includes negotiating inthe interests of the Armenian people…especially those in Artsakh who sacrificed dearly to give Armenian history this gift of liberation. Our people deserve better than operating as a vassal state to Russia.

10. Unfortunately people are getting lost in the details of “who said what”, forgetting the basics, the history, and the root causes of the so called “Artsakh conflict”, the correct term is Artsakh liberation. Actually in a computer term what happened was an UNDO operation of one of the communist Soviet Union’s horrible injustices that gave as present the territories of the Armenian Republic’s Artsakh province on 7 July 1923 and on 9 February 1924 the Nakhitchevan province as autonomous regions to Azerbaijani control.
    1. Therefore in simple terms, when the Soviet union collapsed and was dismantled in 1991, every soviet republic must return to it’s presoviet borders.
    2. The Artsaskh liberation movement started during the soviet era in 1988 as self defense to azeri ethnic cleansing with soviet collusion, and Artsakhi people won.
    3. During the soviet era and under the provisions of the soviet constitution Nagorno Karabakh Republic declared independence in September 2 1991. And on December 10 1991 in a referendum based on soviet law ref. 1990 04 03 the people of Artsakh in a referendum under international observation declared independence from Azerbaijani control, thus becoming an independent sovereign republic.
    4. President Putin in 2016 during a meeting with president Sarkissian publicly affirmed that the Artsakh “conflict” goes back to it’s roots during the soviet era.
    The situation is similar to the Crimean issue, when the Ukrainian born then secretary general of the Soviet Union Khrushchev gave Crimea then part of the Russian Federation, as s gift to Ukraine in 1954. And in 2014 in a referendum the people of Crimea decided to return back to the Russian Federation.
    For further reading I suggest the following:
    http://www.aztagdaily.com/archives/313048
    http://www.aztagdaily.com/archives/330316
    Frank Engel’s speech to recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the European Parliament on April 13 2016- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ76gIG72L0

11. Dear fellow Armenians.Mr Mensoian, in my opinion is a true statesman. He could well make a huge difference in Armenian politics if he was given a chance to get involved. But I ask, what is the likelihood of him or any other diaspora Armenian to be elected into office? Virtually non existent. Why? Simply because unlike Israel, our homeland is being depleted of it’s biggest asset, i.e. her population. In order to reach our goals and to make advances politically, we need strong leadership. Not puppets! Israel is the best example. A strong army, great leadership and a powerful diaspora. Get the message?

12. I agree. The very fact that Aliyev’s position has always been the full restoration of Soviet era borders, has pigeon holed himself to never be able to domestically compromise. Armenian must push forward the idea of a free and independent Artsakh as a starting point of all negotiations and ignore any lands returned for future referendum. Thats all nonsense.. That’s why status quo is going to stay for a while in my opinion..but war is always a possibility which requires a potent and vigilant Armenian army..

    We also need to look at Iran’s interests as well. Giving lands back means a closer Azeri border to Iran. May mean foreign security forces near its border as well. I believe Iran, though not wanting to get involved or take sides, likes the status quo and doesn’t like the Madrid principals. It feels safer with Armenia and justifiably so.

    Again its clear that the Armenian army is the only true guarantee of our security. Armenia won the war and needs to cave in to give nothing upfront. Demand a free Asrtakh first.I say let the losing Azeri side twist and keep the status quo..

13. Anybody who talks of return of liberated territories is a traitor of the Armenian Nation. Period.

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