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BAKU: Russia Holds Karabakh Talks 'To Show Who'S In Charge'

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  • BAKU: Russia Holds Karabakh Talks 'To Show Who'S In Charge'

    RUSSIA HOLDS KARABAKH TALKS 'TO SHOW WHO'S IN CHARGE'

    news.az
    Nov 3 2010
    Azerbaijan

    Hikmat Hajizade News.Az interviews Azerbaijan's former ambassador
    to Russia, political scientist Hikmat Hajizade. How realistic is it
    that the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia will be
    able to draw up an agreed version of the basic principles for talks
    on a Karabakh settlement in time for the OSCE summit in Astana?

    The only difficult and problematic issue in the basic principles
    is the referendum on the status of Karabakh. Each of the conflict
    parties does not only interpret the referendum in its favour, but also
    strives to have provisions in their favour included in the adopted
    documents. In other words, it's this apparently technical issue that
    is the most difficult. Therefore, even if a document is prepared and
    adopted at the OSCE summit in Astana, it will remain unfulfilled.

    The meeting in Astrakhan was the seventh meeting of the presidents of
    Azerbaijan and Armenia held at the initiative of Russian President
    Dmitriy Medvedev. How do you explain Russia's increasing role in
    the Karabakh conflict settlement?

    Russia has the sole aim of showing the world, including Azerbaijan
    and Armenia, that it is the arbiter in this region. Russia shows that
    it settles issues in this region, not the OSCE Minsk Group. As someone
    involved in the Karabakh conflict settlement since the 1990s, I can say
    that the policy Russia has followed since the start of the conflict
    is designed to show that it is in charge of the region. Russia has
    always said openly to the Azerbaijani party that the Karabakh conflict
    will be settled when it wants. This is how Russia shows its interest
    in the Karabakh conflict, including in such apparently senseless
    organized by Moscow between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

    How will the humanitarian statement on an exchange of prisoners of
    war and human remains influence the negotiating process on Karabakh?

    Of course, this is a positive step. It is positive primarily for
    those who suffered as a result of this war, in particular, soldiers
    and their parents.

    As for the political aspect to this, the very fact of the statement
    shows a softening in the strained situation between the conflict
    parties. This issue should be perceived only positively.

    The Armenian side has already announced that, depending on the
    resolutions on Karabakh adopted at the OSCE summit in Astana, it will
    consider recognition of the independence of Karabakh. How will the
    international community react to this?

    If the "independence" of Karabakh is recognized, Armenia will again
    be criticized by the international community. Since Kosovo gained
    independence, the world has been closely watching such precedents. The
    international community has already indicated that the independence
    of Kosovo was a special case. However, we should admit that when the
    international community says "we will never allow other formations
    to recognize ourselves as independent", it should be understood that
    they are being two-faced as a result of a policy of double standards.

    Nevertheless, even if Armenia recognizes the "independence" of
    Karabakh, all the superpowers will criticize it, reject this decision
    and not recognize it. Armenia will remain on its own with its piece
    of paper, recognizing Karabakh's independence.

    What effective decisions may the international mediators take on
    the basis of the report being drawn up on the OSCE field assessment
    mission to the occupied regions of Azerbaijan?

    It is impossible to take any effective steps on the basis of OSCE
    solutions since the international community takes effective action
    only after the relevant resolutions have been passed by the UN
    Security Council. At the same time it should be taken into account
    that Russia, which directly assisted Armenia in the Karabakh war,
    is a member of the UN Security Council. Whenever the UN raises the
    issue of a Karabakh solution and action to force the aggressor to
    peace, Russia will block it. Nevertheless, the document will be
    important for Azerbaijan to show to the international community what
    is happening about its occupied lands. The saying that "water wears
    away stone" is apposite. Submitting the Karabakh settlement to the UN
    agenda should not be ignored. I think this will swing public opinion
    in favour of Azerbaijan. Documents discussed and adopted at the UN
    can be of use to the Azerbaijani side if war resumes.




    From: A. Papazian
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