Representatives and experts of various NGO's in Artsakh that convened their second conference in Stepanakert on May 18 issued a "Declaration of Principles" addressed to international organizations working to bring peace to the region. The declaration spells out those principles that the NGO's regard as necessary before they will participate in any peace-related programs. The declaration states that the NGO's will not participate in any program that seeks to contradict the self-identity of citizens of the NKR or intends to place restrictions on it. It also states that they will cooperate with international organizations and donors on the basis of transparency which takes into account current realities. The NGO's say that the need for such a declaration arose after recent indications to politicize peaceful civilian dialogue that essentially distort the actual state of affairs and presuppose official results of the settlement process. Also participating in the conference by invitation were Vahram Atanesyan, President of the NKR National Assembly's Permanent Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Zhanna Kirakosyan, Director of the NKR's Center for International Cooperation.