Ter-Petrosyan publishes "War or Peace"
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s 1997 article “War or Peace? Time to Be Serious,” arguing that Armenia should accept a phased Karabakh settlement or face isolation and renewed war. The article triggered elite revolt and his resignation.
- Armenian
- Azerbaijani
- Russian
Account
Background
After the 1994 victory, Armenia faced blockade, economic strain and unresolved negotiations. President Levon Ter-Petrosyan concluded that time would strengthen Azerbaijan more than Armenia.
The article and fallout
Published on 1 November 1997, "War or Peace?" defended the OSCE Minsk Group's phased approach: return surrounding districts first, secure interim status and guarantees, and defer final status. Ter-Petrosyan warned that what Armenia rejected today it might later beg for and no longer obtain ter petrosyan 1997 war or peace beg.
Key figures, including Robert Kocharyan and Vazgen Sargsyan, rejected the position. Ter-Petrosyan resigned in February 1998. After the 2020 war, his warnings read less like defeatism and more like an early diagnosis of asymmetric time editorial.