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BAKU: Caucasus Is Seat Of Tension: U.S. National Intelligence News D

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  • BAKU: Caucasus Is Seat Of Tension: U.S. National Intelligence News D

    CAUCASUS IS SEAT OF TENSION: U.S. NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE NEWS DIRECTOR

    Trend News Agency
    Feb 13 2009
    Azerbaijan

    Difficulties resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict create tensions
    in the South Caucasus, U.S. National Intelligence News Director Dennis
    Blair said.

    "Azerbaijan has been concerned about isolation since Kosovo announced
    independence, Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia and
    Armenian-Turkish relations improved," Blair said during Special Senate
    Intelligence Committee hearings at the Capitol, ITAR-TASS reported.

    Armenia is also worried about Azerbaijan's increasing army, he
    added. Both countries are facing problems implementing democratic
    reforms due to the economic downturn, he said.

    The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
    when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
    forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
    the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
    and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
    the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently
    holding the peace negotiations.

    "There are great tensions in the Caucasus," Blair said. "Six months
    after the military conflict between Russia and Georgia over Abkhazia
    and South Ossetia, the regions are still hot spots."

    "Although the political situation in Georgia has stabilized, President
    Mikheil Saakashvili faces increasing criticism from the opposition. His
    reaction will either strengthen or break down the democratic process
    in the country," he said.
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