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  • Azerbaijan Threatens Again, Does Everything For Karabakh's Independe

    AZERBAIJAN THREATENS AGAIN, DOES EVERYTHING FOR KARABAKH'S INDEPENDENCE
    Armen Hareyan

    HULIQ.com
    http://www.huliq.com/1/354-azerbaijan-threatens-again-does-everything-karabakhs-independence
    June 2 2011
    SC

    Unresolved conflict within Nagorno Karabakh threatens global security.

    Azerbaijan insists on its territorial integrity while Armenia supports
    the right of self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.

    Azerbaijan threatens war.

    This is exactly the mentality and approach that pushes the people
    living in Nagorno Karabakh, away from Azerbaijan. It is no wonder
    they seek independence.

    In response to the self-determination claims of the population of
    Nagorno Karabakh in 1988, the authorities of Azerbaijan organized
    massacres and ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population within
    the entire territory of Azerbaijan, particularly in Sumgait, Baku
    and Kirovabad. In response, the people of Karabakh declared the
    establishment of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) on December 10,
    1991, after an international-law-compliant referendum. The referendum
    was also in accordance to the laws of the Soviet Union. At the time
    the Soviet Union (USSR) had not yet fallen.

    Azerbaijan waged war against NKR. Armenia sided with NKR, defending
    NKR's right to self-determination. The people of NKR, fighting for
    their freedom, liberated the territory as well as seven adjustment
    regions to neutralize the future threat from Azerbaijan and to ensure
    its security by a land border with Armenia and Iran; the only two
    countries it borders today except Azerbaijan.

    The United States, Russia and France are mediating the conflict and
    have laid out fundamental principles on which the conflict must be
    resolved. Some of those principles include the unacceptability of
    the threat of war, territorial integrity, return of refugees and
    a referendum to decide the final status of Nagorno Karabakh. Since
    referendum basically means independence for NKR, Azerbaijan opposes
    it. On presidential or administrative levels, Azerbaijan has numerous
    times threatened to regain control over Nagorno Karabakh through
    military means if NKR does not submit to Azerbaijan. In contrast,
    Azerbaijan has promised to give NKR "broad autonomy" if NKR agrees
    to be a part of Azerbaijan. In other words, "we will kill you if you
    are not back, but if you return we will give you autonomy."

    The latest development in this conflict is the Deauville statement
    by the presidents of Russia, USA and France issued on May 26.

    Specifically, the statement read, "The use of force created the current
    situation of confrontation and instability. Its use again would only
    bring more suffering and devastation, and would be condemned by the
    international community. We strongly urge the leaders of the sides
    to prepare their populations for peace, not war."

    One would assume the authorities in Azerbaijan would rethink their
    approach and would refrain mentioning the military solution. Yet,
    the announcements on the level of presidential administration in Baku
    shows that their approach has not changed.

    "There is no guarantee that tomorrow or the day after tomorrow a war
    between Azerbaijan and Armenia won't start," Ali M. Hasanov, a senior
    presidential aide, said in an interview to NY Times. "It's peaceful
    coexistence that we need, not a war. We need peaceful development. But
    nothing will replace territorial integrity and the sovereignty of
    Azerbaijan. If necessary we are ready to give our lives for territorial
    integrity." Hasanov is disappointed because he thinks mediators "do
    not do what they promised." These words show that mediators don't
    believe that the conflict can be solved by forcefully pushing the
    people of Nagorno Karabakh back under Azeri control.

    Azerbaijan does everything it can to ensure Karabakh becomes an
    independent state. Otherwise, who would in his or her right mind think
    that the people of Karabakh, a mountainous region with rigid life that
    shapes freedom-loving independent character, would agree to return
    under Azeri control, when the authorities of Azerbaijan threaten war
    and the gaining of territory by military means if Karabakh is not
    returned peacefully? How could this be possible after Kosov, Easter
    Timor and South Sudan? After such threats, could the people of Karabakh
    even think of returning the adjacent territories when Azerbaijan keeps
    threatening war? These territories, especially the two regions (Lachin
    and Kelbajar) are the only land connections it has with Armenia.

    The mindset has not changed in Azerbaijan's political level either.

    Today, one of the prominent Azerbaijani political analysts, a member of
    Trend Expert Council Rasim Musabayov keeps up the bellicose rhetoric
    while talking about an expected change from the upcoming meeting of
    the presidents in Kazan. "But Azerbaijan will have to escalate the
    military pressure to move the process from the dead point in these
    conditions," he tells Trend News Agency. "I think that the co-chairmen
    also understand this and therefore they strongly recommend to move
    forward." Does anyone think co-chairmen believe on escalating
    "military pressure" to solve the problem? In fact the Deauville
    statement says the military solution will be "condemned by the
    international community" and "strongly urges" the leadership of the
    two countries to prepare their nations for peace and not "escalating
    military pressure." Come-on, Mr. let's talk about peace and not
    military pressure. The military will not solve the existing problem.

    These types of statements are not helpful.

    New beginning for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh

    At the end of June the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are
    expected to meet in Kazan (Russia). According to the previously
    made statements it may be fair to assume that this meeting will be
    different from the previous meetings, leading to a possible change
    in the current status quo. More people in Armenia and Azerbaijan,
    including international observers, have agreed with this view.

    As the Deauville statement reads, "only a negotiated settlement can
    lead to peace, stability, and reconciliation, opening opportunities
    for regional development and cooperation." It is indeed high time for
    the authorities of Azerbaijan to prepare the nation for peace, not to
    war. The two nations are destined to live side by side in the region.

    Thus, the question is how to make sure these people live free,
    but not how they will gain control over their lives. One does not
    have to be a rocket scientist to see how a simple referendum and the
    recognition of its results by the international community will put
    an end to conflicts in Kosovo, Easter Timor and South Sudan.


    From: Baghdasarian
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