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AZERBAIJAN VS. ARMENIA: WHICH ONE IS TO BE CUT DOWN TO SIZE?
By Ivan Gharibyan
news.am
Feb 3 2010
Armenia
Head of the Foreign Relations Department, Azerbaijani Presidential
Administration, Novruz Mamedov's latest interview with Trend
News proved to be one more proof of the Azerbaijani authorities'
destructive position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It is noteworthy
that Mr. Mamedov, who normally coordinates all his statements with
President Ilham Aliyev, did not say anything special.
He once again appealed to the international mediators for their
support for Azerbaijan's completely unrealistic position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Without citing any concrete examples, the high-ranking Baku official
began accusing Armenia of the "sins" that are actually standard
practice in Azerbaijan. Specifically, he accused the Armenian
authorities of constantly changing their position. And this claim was
made by an official of Azerbaijan, whose leader now calls for peace
"because no one will ever go anywhere from the region" now delivers a
militant speech, which is not typical of a civilized state leader in
the 21st century. We do not have to mention lower-ranking officials,
who savagely attack now Russia now the United States - taking advantage
of the political situation.
What stands out in Mamedov's interview is his appeal to the world
leaders and international mediators for "pressuring Armenia and
cutting it down to size." At this point, however, the Azerbaijani
official fell into a trap. What is the point of pressuring Armenia if
the Armenian authorities clearly outlined the limits of concessions
-- including territorial ones -- they are ready for in exchange for
a status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Running serious political risks, the
Armenian authorities actually do not rule out the return of seven
regions forming a security zone around Nagorno-Karabakh, except for
the Lachin corridor, to Azerbaijan. Well, it is no secret for anyone.
The result is a situation when Azerbaijan is not proposing anything
in response to Yerevan's readiness for painful concessions. The
international community, however, has repeatedly stressed the
inevitability of mutual and painful concessions.
This is, in fact, the answer to the question Mr. Mamedov is so vexed
at! The answer, however, is clear to everybody: it is Azerbaijan that
has to be "cut down to size" as the only stumbling block to peace
and stability in the region because of its unwillingness to make any
concessions on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. It is important
that the world powers act promptly, before the threat issued by the
"Baku khanate" gets out of control.
By Ivan Gharibyan
news.am
Feb 3 2010
Armenia
Head of the Foreign Relations Department, Azerbaijani Presidential
Administration, Novruz Mamedov's latest interview with Trend
News proved to be one more proof of the Azerbaijani authorities'
destructive position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It is noteworthy
that Mr. Mamedov, who normally coordinates all his statements with
President Ilham Aliyev, did not say anything special.
He once again appealed to the international mediators for their
support for Azerbaijan's completely unrealistic position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Without citing any concrete examples, the high-ranking Baku official
began accusing Armenia of the "sins" that are actually standard
practice in Azerbaijan. Specifically, he accused the Armenian
authorities of constantly changing their position. And this claim was
made by an official of Azerbaijan, whose leader now calls for peace
"because no one will ever go anywhere from the region" now delivers a
militant speech, which is not typical of a civilized state leader in
the 21st century. We do not have to mention lower-ranking officials,
who savagely attack now Russia now the United States - taking advantage
of the political situation.
What stands out in Mamedov's interview is his appeal to the world
leaders and international mediators for "pressuring Armenia and
cutting it down to size." At this point, however, the Azerbaijani
official fell into a trap. What is the point of pressuring Armenia if
the Armenian authorities clearly outlined the limits of concessions
-- including territorial ones -- they are ready for in exchange for
a status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Running serious political risks, the
Armenian authorities actually do not rule out the return of seven
regions forming a security zone around Nagorno-Karabakh, except for
the Lachin corridor, to Azerbaijan. Well, it is no secret for anyone.
The result is a situation when Azerbaijan is not proposing anything
in response to Yerevan's readiness for painful concessions. The
international community, however, has repeatedly stressed the
inevitability of mutual and painful concessions.
This is, in fact, the answer to the question Mr. Mamedov is so vexed
at! The answer, however, is clear to everybody: it is Azerbaijan that
has to be "cut down to size" as the only stumbling block to peace
and stability in the region because of its unwillingness to make any
concessions on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. It is important
that the world powers act promptly, before the threat issued by the
"Baku khanate" gets out of control.