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BAKU DISSATISFIED WITH OSCE
Vestnik Kavkaza
July 10 2012
Russia
There will be no progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process in
the near future - this became obvious during the visit to the South
Caucasus by the general secretary of the OSCE, Lamberto Zannier. Baku
has waited too long for not only protocol words of support, but also
real actions from the OSCE and the Minsk Group. A certain background
is necessary for progress in the peacemaking process, but there is
none - the sides of the conflict have too different positions.
Zannier's Baku visit is considered in the context of growing interest
to the region and the West's concern about violence flashes on the
front-line between Armenian and Azerbaijani armies, but no more. "The
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a big threat for security of the region
and economic development of the South Caucasus," Zannier said in
Azerbaijan and expressed support to efforts by the Minsk Group.
However, Baku believes that the OSCE MG fails to fulfill its duties,
and the general secretary's visit will hardly change anything. The
target of the Minsk Group requires providing negotiations on peaceful
settlement of the crisis according to principles, responsibilities,
and provisions of the OSCE, but the negotiations between the conflict's
sides are dead-locked. At the same time the co-chairs believe that
the negotiation process as a foundation of Karabakh settlement is
intensive, despite growing tension on the occupied territories.
Considering sharp statements by both sides of the conflict, there is
no chance for a peacemaking treaty, but the MG co-chairs are still
optimistic. Nevertheless, Baku lacks their optimism. It believes that
time limits should be defined for settlement of the conflict. "Each
time co-chairs visit the region they promise something, but we
haven't witnessed fulfillment of the promises," deputy chairman,
executive secretary of the ruling party Yeni Azerbaijan, Ali Ahmedov,
says. "The Azerbaijani society has many issues with co-chairs of the
Minsk Group and the Minsk Group in general. How long will it take for
the Minsk Group to settle the conflict? For how long should refugees
wait for settlement of the conflict?" Ahmedov said.
Impatience of Baku is understandable. Yerevan is satisfied with the
current situation and conduction of negotiations under management of
the MG. But Azerbaijan has a big problem - about a million of refugees
and temporary displaces persons who cannot come back home for 20
years. Azerbaijan expects fulfillment of four resolutions of the UN
which urges Armenia to withdraw its army from the occupied Azerbaijani
territories. Baku considers their nonfulfillment surprising because
the SC resolutions on Libya were fulfilled in a short term. Yerevan
does its best to maintain status quo.
However, Zannier emphasized that status quo is unacceptable, but
without real pressure on Yerevan these words remain a recommendation
only, rather than an obligation. Azerbaijan has many times expressed
concern about the extended process, and one day it can simply withdraw
from this format of negotiations. The mediation format of the OSCE
should be more active; it shouldn't create an illusion of activity,
as prolongation of the conflict touches upon the whole region. .
Vestnik Kavkaza
July 10 2012
Russia
There will be no progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process in
the near future - this became obvious during the visit to the South
Caucasus by the general secretary of the OSCE, Lamberto Zannier. Baku
has waited too long for not only protocol words of support, but also
real actions from the OSCE and the Minsk Group. A certain background
is necessary for progress in the peacemaking process, but there is
none - the sides of the conflict have too different positions.
Zannier's Baku visit is considered in the context of growing interest
to the region and the West's concern about violence flashes on the
front-line between Armenian and Azerbaijani armies, but no more. "The
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a big threat for security of the region
and economic development of the South Caucasus," Zannier said in
Azerbaijan and expressed support to efforts by the Minsk Group.
However, Baku believes that the OSCE MG fails to fulfill its duties,
and the general secretary's visit will hardly change anything. The
target of the Minsk Group requires providing negotiations on peaceful
settlement of the crisis according to principles, responsibilities,
and provisions of the OSCE, but the negotiations between the conflict's
sides are dead-locked. At the same time the co-chairs believe that
the negotiation process as a foundation of Karabakh settlement is
intensive, despite growing tension on the occupied territories.
Considering sharp statements by both sides of the conflict, there is
no chance for a peacemaking treaty, but the MG co-chairs are still
optimistic. Nevertheless, Baku lacks their optimism. It believes that
time limits should be defined for settlement of the conflict. "Each
time co-chairs visit the region they promise something, but we
haven't witnessed fulfillment of the promises," deputy chairman,
executive secretary of the ruling party Yeni Azerbaijan, Ali Ahmedov,
says. "The Azerbaijani society has many issues with co-chairs of the
Minsk Group and the Minsk Group in general. How long will it take for
the Minsk Group to settle the conflict? For how long should refugees
wait for settlement of the conflict?" Ahmedov said.
Impatience of Baku is understandable. Yerevan is satisfied with the
current situation and conduction of negotiations under management of
the MG. But Azerbaijan has a big problem - about a million of refugees
and temporary displaces persons who cannot come back home for 20
years. Azerbaijan expects fulfillment of four resolutions of the UN
which urges Armenia to withdraw its army from the occupied Azerbaijani
territories. Baku considers their nonfulfillment surprising because
the SC resolutions on Libya were fulfilled in a short term. Yerevan
does its best to maintain status quo.
However, Zannier emphasized that status quo is unacceptable, but
without real pressure on Yerevan these words remain a recommendation
only, rather than an obligation. Azerbaijan has many times expressed
concern about the extended process, and one day it can simply withdraw
from this format of negotiations. The mediation format of the OSCE
should be more active; it shouldn't create an illusion of activity,
as prolongation of the conflict touches upon the whole region. .