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KARABAKH IS MOSTLY FORGOTTEN CONFLICT OUTSIDE CAUCASUS - ECONOMIST
Tert.am
11:07 29.10.11
Twenty years later now Nagorno-Karabakh is often called a "frozen
conflict" but for most people outside the Caucasus it is more of a
forgotten one, writes The Economist in an article.
Further, is says that no Azeris remain in Nagorno-Karabakh. Towns
like Aghdam, which were Azeri-dominated before the war but that lie
outside the old autonomous region, are in ruins.
"But there has been some reconstruction in areas within the pre-war
borders. Equally importantly, Nagorno-Karabakh's 140,000 Armenians
have built a small but functioning state," writes the publication.
Peace talks have ground on for years, but a breakthrough is never
made. Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenians want recognition for their breakaway
state, but Azerbaijan is unwilling to grant anything more than
autonomy. Azeri refugees also want to return to their homes, it adds.
Further, it says that the conflict impedes economic development and
regional co-operation in the south Caucasus. But Westerners forget
it at their peril.
"In 2005 the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline opened to pump Azerbaijani
oil to a terminal in Turkey to lessen dependence on pipelines through
Russia. The pipeline runs close to the line where Nagorno-Karabakh's
soldiers confront those of Azerbaijan. In the event of a new conflict
it could be cut by rocket fire within hours."
Tert.am
11:07 29.10.11
Twenty years later now Nagorno-Karabakh is often called a "frozen
conflict" but for most people outside the Caucasus it is more of a
forgotten one, writes The Economist in an article.
Further, is says that no Azeris remain in Nagorno-Karabakh. Towns
like Aghdam, which were Azeri-dominated before the war but that lie
outside the old autonomous region, are in ruins.
"But there has been some reconstruction in areas within the pre-war
borders. Equally importantly, Nagorno-Karabakh's 140,000 Armenians
have built a small but functioning state," writes the publication.
Peace talks have ground on for years, but a breakthrough is never
made. Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenians want recognition for their breakaway
state, but Azerbaijan is unwilling to grant anything more than
autonomy. Azeri refugees also want to return to their homes, it adds.
Further, it says that the conflict impedes economic development and
regional co-operation in the south Caucasus. But Westerners forget
it at their peril.
"In 2005 the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline opened to pump Azerbaijani
oil to a terminal in Turkey to lessen dependence on pipelines through
Russia. The pipeline runs close to the line where Nagorno-Karabakh's
soldiers confront those of Azerbaijan. In the event of a new conflict
it could be cut by rocket fire within hours."