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OPEN LETTER

To Karen Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh Republic

I apply to you as a national of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, member of the Artsakh Movement and veteran of the Artsakh war and the woman who wrote the 1^st decree on creation of our Defense Army.

Today, the independence and sovereignty of our country washed by blood for the 2^nd time are at stake, and the blood shed by our heroes makes us show similar self-sacrifice in our fight on the diplomatic arena as well. I think there is no need to remind you that in your capacity you should act in compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh, which compels you to obey the will expressed by our people at the Referendum of 1991. For years, our authorities have kept it secret from us that Armenia is involved on behalf of Artsakh in a process where the issue of whether Artsakh should remain within Azerbaijan or not is considered.

Today you state that Artsakh should become a party to the negotiations, with no mention on what negotiations you want our sovereign country to enter into.

On the days of escalation of hostilities, the international community has made it possible for you to state to the entire world that Artsakh demands recognition of its right to self-determination and our independence from Azerbaijan. You should have said that as a sovereign, legal and democratic state, Artsakh could not make a part of a country that disobeys international law regulations. You did not say that the Artsakh Republic is ready to enter into negotiations with Azerbaijan only after the latter withdraws its troops from the borders fixed by the Constitution of our country.

We are ready to hear all the persons responsible for the military and political issues, including you, say that you suffer external pressure. If so, our people will back the national authorities so that we can join our efforts to defend the sovereignty of our country, which will make it possible for us to avoid higher casualties and further diplomatic losses.

You are under obligation to act in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution, which implies that you should urge the international community, and first of all the Republic of Armenia, to recognize the independence of Artsakh from Azerbaijan, and what is more, only after restoration of our state border. Otherwise, we will raise the issue of your incompliance with the Constitution and professional inadequacy.

Margarita Karamyan