Alexander Manasyan, “Recognition of Azerbaijan in current borders has been a violation of international law”

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: There is no historical, legal and political fact which would contradict the legality of proclaiming the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, and which Baku could use against Artsakh, Alexander Manasyan, author of the book of “Nagorno Karabakh: How It Happened”, said today during the presentation of the book.

According to him, Azerbaijan puts forth many false documents both in preaching and political package, and for resisting it Armenia must undertake corresponding steps. The book also touches upon the issue of responsibility of the West in the NKR issue, as Azerbaijan was not exclusion while recognizing the newly independent states in the borders of the former USSR states in 1991, which, according to Mr. Mansyan, is not justified. The author said that there were territories within the borders of the soviet Azerbaijan – Nakhijevan, NKR, which could not be within its jurisdiction both in legal and political regard.

The only state, on restriction of the territories of which there were international contracts, was Azerbaijan. Recognition of Azerbaijan in the current borders in 1991 has been a violation of the international law, which Azerbaijan used to unleash the Karabakh war. Mr. Manasyan said that they must know that borders are determined according to a legal self-determination act, Azerbaijan has no such an act, which means that today’s Azerbaijani state has no legitimate borders, and the existence of the Nagorno Karabakh is wholly legitimate from the viewpoint of the international law.

In regard to the new resolution put forth in the United Nations by Azerbaijan, the speaker noted that it has consulting nature and that step must be neither underestimated nor overestimated. Mr. Manasyan and Alen Ghevondyan, expert at the Center of Public Relations and Information Office of the President of Armenia, noted that publishing of such books is a start of confronting Azerbaijan.

According to Mr. Ghevondyan, historical, legal facts and photos are laid in the basis of the book, the goal of which is to tell the whole world about the true events taken place in the world. The expert said that publishing of books, videodisks, and electronic publication of materials will be of continuous nature. This program will be addressed to both native and foreign audience. The book will soon be translated into English, Persian and Russian. Mr. Ghevondyan noted that websites in the Turkish language will soon be designed as well.