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Ripple Effects Of Nagorno-Karabakh

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  • Ripple Effects Of Nagorno-Karabakh

    RIPPLE EFFECTS OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH

    United Press International
    April 23 2009

    ANKARA, Turkey, April 23 (UPI) -- Sweeping reforms in Ankara's policy
    toward Armenia and lingering disputes over Nagorno-Karabakh have
    widespread implications for regional diplomacy.

    Ankara moved toward normalizing relations with longtime foe Armenia
    following a visit to Ankara by U.S. President Barack Obama. The
    situation bodes well for Ankara's ties to the European community but
    could have a ripple effect on relations with oil-rich Azerbaijan.

    Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told officials during a recent
    visit to Prague that Ankara was moving toward reaching out to its
    counterparts in Yerevan, suggesting Turkey may open its borders in
    time for a World Cup qualifying match in September.

    Baku, however, may not look kindly on those developments, Radio Free
    Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

    War broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh
    in the early 1990s, and the regional fallout from that row remains
    tense despite a 1994 cease-fire.

    Babacan said Ankara is working with Washington and other allies on
    the situation as part of a broader push to settle regional tensions
    in the aftermath of the Russian-Georgian war in August.

    "It has long been and remains the position of the United States that
    normalization should take place without preconditions and within a
    reasonable time frame," acting U.S. State Department spokesman Robert
    Wood said.

    Meanwhile, with Russia seeking to counter Ankara's newfound diplomatic
    strength, developments on the Nagorno-Karabakh front could have
    sweeping ramifications on geopolitical dynamics.
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