Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. S.Ilhamgizi / The Union for Democracy uniting three opposition parties proposes to hold antiterrorist operations in the Azerbaijani occupied territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh, this was stated during a Karabakh forum held by the Union on 25 September.
A set of proposals developed by the Union concerning the settlement of the problems was discussed at the forum. The Union proposes to announce the exact terms of the antiterrorist operations in the territory. It will not be war as no country can conduct war in its own territory.
The antiterrorist operations should be directed to eliminate Armenian terrorist groups which are active in the Azerbaijani occupied territories, the Union's officials consider.
Azerbaijan should not postpone peace negotiations. The main issue for discussion should be recognition of territorial integrity of the Azerbaijani Government. The document will be submitted to the President.
A veteran of the Karabakh war, Gultakin Guliyeva, said she supported the proposal concerning antiterrorist operations in the territory, but did not believe in the implementation of the proposal.
According to the head of the National Revival Movement, Farah Guliyev, Armenia occupies Azerbaijani territories and military action should be directed against them. Azerbaijan should not stop peace negotiations even if it conducts antiterrorist operations in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Alakpar Mammadov, a military expert, considers it possible to hold antiterrorist operations in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasus began in 1988 due to territorial claims by Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia has occupied 20% of Azerbaijani land including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding Districts. Since 1992, these territories have been under the occupation of the Armenian Forces. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time active hostilities ended. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France and USA) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.
The Union for Democracy unites three opposition parties, the Classic Popular Front Party, Azadlyg and National Democratic Party. The Union is the consultative structure of these political organizations.