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US ANALYST: "AS LONG AS ARMENIA IS RECEIVING FULL ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND MILITARY SUPPORT FROM A MAJOR POWER WHILE STILL OCCUPYING NAGORNO-KARABAKH, THERE IS NO ROLE FOR THE WEST"
MilAz.info
Dec 16 2011
Azerbaijan
"If Russia completes the modernization plans in Azerbaijan's Gabala
radar it has announced, then it would make sense for the United
States to reconsider joint use of the base-if that offer were to be
renewed by the Russians", James J. Coyle, former director of Middle
East studies at the US Army War College, who currently serves as a
Director of Global Education at the Chapman University, told in an
interview with APA's correspondent.
The analyst reminded that when Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
was a president in 2007, he offered the US joint use of the Azerbaijani
radar station instead of the building an independent station in the
Czech Republic. The US eventually rejected this proposal, however,
because the base would have required extensive modernization.
In the meanwhile, the analyst says, "President Medvedev's latest
statement that Gabala radar will not take part in a European missile
defense program would indicate such an offer is no longer on the table.
Speaking about the main differences between the Russian and Western
approaches to South Caucasus, Mr. Coyle mentioned that in general,
the Russians seem more attuned to the geo-political importance of
the countries in the Caucasus while the West seems more interested
in economics.
"Russia is interested in friendship treaties, while the West is
interested in pipeline routes. Russia is also interested in pipelines,
but only to the extent that pipelines can be used to further their
geo-political interests. The West is more concerned with energy
supplies for Europe".
The analyst also pointed out, the fact that Azerbaijan has huge swaths
of its territory occupied by a neighboring state is a major threat
to the regional stability. "Stability can only be assured when all
countries in a region live in peace with borders that are recognized
by the other countries in the region".
As for the possible Western role on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue, Mr. Coyle said, "As long as Armenia is receiving full economic,
political and military support from a major power while still occupying
Nagorno-Karabakh, there is no role for the West".
MilAz.info
Dec 16 2011
Azerbaijan
"If Russia completes the modernization plans in Azerbaijan's Gabala
radar it has announced, then it would make sense for the United
States to reconsider joint use of the base-if that offer were to be
renewed by the Russians", James J. Coyle, former director of Middle
East studies at the US Army War College, who currently serves as a
Director of Global Education at the Chapman University, told in an
interview with APA's correspondent.
The analyst reminded that when Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
was a president in 2007, he offered the US joint use of the Azerbaijani
radar station instead of the building an independent station in the
Czech Republic. The US eventually rejected this proposal, however,
because the base would have required extensive modernization.
In the meanwhile, the analyst says, "President Medvedev's latest
statement that Gabala radar will not take part in a European missile
defense program would indicate such an offer is no longer on the table.
Speaking about the main differences between the Russian and Western
approaches to South Caucasus, Mr. Coyle mentioned that in general,
the Russians seem more attuned to the geo-political importance of
the countries in the Caucasus while the West seems more interested
in economics.
"Russia is interested in friendship treaties, while the West is
interested in pipeline routes. Russia is also interested in pipelines,
but only to the extent that pipelines can be used to further their
geo-political interests. The West is more concerned with energy
supplies for Europe".
The analyst also pointed out, the fact that Azerbaijan has huge swaths
of its territory occupied by a neighboring state is a major threat
to the regional stability. "Stability can only be assured when all
countries in a region live in peace with borders that are recognized
by the other countries in the region".
As for the possible Western role on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue, Mr. Coyle said, "As long as Armenia is receiving full economic,
political and military support from a major power while still occupying
Nagorno-Karabakh, there is no role for the West".