The process of the negotiations between Kishinev and Tiraspoli is important first of all because ultimately versions about the possibility of application of this model of settlement in case with Karabakh were voiced. This was said, particularly, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the unrecognized Prednestrovian Moldavian Republic Valeri Litskai. In Baku they liked this idea, though the Armenian party has never allowed to think that the Prednestrovian scheme may be seriously discussed by Yerevan and Stepanakert.
We’ll remind that the scheme of the ”common state” was proposed during the settlement process of the Prednestrovian conflict and then taken by the OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen. During the passed time the principles of the settlement of the conflict between the Moldavians and their Russian-language compatriots were seriously transformed. According to the model discussed today in Tiraspol and Kishinev, Prednestrovia will have less right than Nagorno Karabakh would have had in case if Azerbaijan accepted the principle of the ”common state”. The leaders of the Prednestrovia are satisfied with the status of the ”state-territorial formation” within the Republic of Moldavia, i.e. a self-governed part of a common state. This is much more modest compared with the status of a subject of a ”common state”.
The used scheme foresees, in fact, the reestablishment of the territorial integrity of Moldavia and spreading of the sovereignty of Kishinev over the total territory of the former Moldavian SSR. The new scheme contains almost nothing from the model of the ”common state’’ agreed upon by Robert Kocharian and Arkady Ghukasian. Meanwhile, in 1998 and 2000 the NKR and Armenian authorities have stated that the principles laid in the model of the ”common state” – are the last point of the possible compromise. Agreeing with the Prednestrovian scheme would mean a concession in all the principle positions, the most important of which is the inadmissibility of vertical subordination.
If in accordance with the model of the ”common state” Karabakh should have its own Constitution and its laws, in case with Prednestrovia the matter concerns the prevalation of the Constitution of Moldavia. If in 1998 the Karabakh people was suggested a model foreseeing an independent formation of legislative, executive and court bodies, implementation of direct foreign relations with foreign courtiers and international organizations, Tiraspol is being suggested to form a common system of executive power with Kishinev. The decisions adopted by ”state-territorial formations” may be cancelled by the President of Moldavia. If Karabakh could have its national guardy and police, the defense and security of the Prednestrovian people should be managed by the Moldavian authorities.
It is evident that the Prednestrovian scheme can not be an appropriate mechanism of Karabakh settlement for the Armenian party. At the same time, it should be acceptable for Azerbaijan. Only two facts cause the concern of the Baku analysts. The first is theat application of the Prednestrovian model in case with Karabakh should mean that Baku should negotiate not with Yerevan but with Stepanakert. And the second is that during the transitional period the operating authority bodies of NKR will be considered legitimate. ”I do not think the Azerbaijani party will put aside all the issues and will start direct negotiations with Karabakh people,” Baku political scientist Rasim Musabekov says. At the same time he stresses ”he is not sure that the NKR leaders will agree with the conditions adopted in Prendestrovia”. And all the same, he believes that the scheme may be considered.
However, the radical forces refused the Prednestrovian model. For example, Akif Nagi, the leader of the organization called ”Union of Liberation of Karabakh” says that the providing of the Karabakh people with self-governance right. ”Azerbaijan is a unitary country,” he said commenting on the idea of ”import” of the Prednestrovian experience. It is noteworthy that the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Vilayat Guliyev shares his opinion. Recently he said that he did not accept the Prednestyrovian model because it would mean giving too much rights to Karabakh. If the numerated mechanisms of the control seem to the head of the Azerbaijani foreign ministry not enough, it is understandable, what they mean in Baku suggesting the Karabakh people the most wide autonomy possible.
