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AZERI-ARMENIAN CLASHES 'MAY ESCALATE' - HILLARY CLINTON
Mmegi Online
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=11&aid=785&dir=2012/June/Wednesday6
June 6 2012
Botswana
YEREVAN: United States' Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has
voiced concern over border clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan -
hours after three Armenian soldiers died in the latest skirmishes.
Speaking in Armenia, she warned that the clashes "could escalate into a
much broader conflict" in the Caucasus.The two former Soviet republics
fought a bloody war over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in
the 1990s.A formal ceasefire is now looking increasingly fragile."I
am very concerned by these incidents and have called on all parties,
all actors, to refrain from the use or threat of force," Clinton said
after her talks in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on Monday.
"There is a danger that it could escalate into a much broader conflict
that would be very tragic for everyone concerned," she warned.The
BBC's Damien McGuinness, in neighbouring Georgia, says it is hoped
Clinton will ease tensions between the two countries.The region
is dependent on US aid, so Washington has much influence there, he
says.The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan erupted as the Soviet
Union collapsed and at least 30,000 people were killed by the time
the truce was declared in 1994.Since then, a simmering stalemate has
prevailed and both sides have reported sporadic breaches of the truce.
"The three Armenian soldiers were killed in clashes on Monday,"
Yerevan said. It remains unclear if there were any casualties on the
Azeri side.Both sides have been building up arms in recent months
and refusing to compromise. It is hoped Clinton will at least call
on both governments to tone down the rhetoric and hold peace talks.
Human rights groups also want Clinton to address alleged abuses in
the region. Azerbaijan's harsh treatment of government critics has
been in the spotlight since it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in
May.Authorities have dismissed criticism in the international press
as Armenian propaganda."However, condemnation from the US secretary
of state will carry more weight," our correspondent adds. A social
media activist was released early from an Azeri jail on Monday, for
good behaviour.Bakhtiyar Hajiyev had been serving a two-year prison
term on charges of avoiding military service. He told the AFP news
agency that his arrest had been "politically motivated".He had used
Facebook to support anti-government protests. Last month a group of
US senators demanded Hajiyev's release.Clinton travels to Azerbaijan
on Wednesday, after visiting Georgia on Tuesday. (BBC)
From: A. Papazian
Mmegi Online
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=11&aid=785&dir=2012/June/Wednesday6
June 6 2012
Botswana
YEREVAN: United States' Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has
voiced concern over border clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan -
hours after three Armenian soldiers died in the latest skirmishes.
Speaking in Armenia, she warned that the clashes "could escalate into a
much broader conflict" in the Caucasus.The two former Soviet republics
fought a bloody war over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in
the 1990s.A formal ceasefire is now looking increasingly fragile."I
am very concerned by these incidents and have called on all parties,
all actors, to refrain from the use or threat of force," Clinton said
after her talks in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on Monday.
"There is a danger that it could escalate into a much broader conflict
that would be very tragic for everyone concerned," she warned.The
BBC's Damien McGuinness, in neighbouring Georgia, says it is hoped
Clinton will ease tensions between the two countries.The region
is dependent on US aid, so Washington has much influence there, he
says.The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan erupted as the Soviet
Union collapsed and at least 30,000 people were killed by the time
the truce was declared in 1994.Since then, a simmering stalemate has
prevailed and both sides have reported sporadic breaches of the truce.
"The three Armenian soldiers were killed in clashes on Monday,"
Yerevan said. It remains unclear if there were any casualties on the
Azeri side.Both sides have been building up arms in recent months
and refusing to compromise. It is hoped Clinton will at least call
on both governments to tone down the rhetoric and hold peace talks.
Human rights groups also want Clinton to address alleged abuses in
the region. Azerbaijan's harsh treatment of government critics has
been in the spotlight since it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in
May.Authorities have dismissed criticism in the international press
as Armenian propaganda."However, condemnation from the US secretary
of state will carry more weight," our correspondent adds. A social
media activist was released early from an Azeri jail on Monday, for
good behaviour.Bakhtiyar Hajiyev had been serving a two-year prison
term on charges of avoiding military service. He told the AFP news
agency that his arrest had been "politically motivated".He had used
Facebook to support anti-government protests. Last month a group of
US senators demanded Hajiyev's release.Clinton travels to Azerbaijan
on Wednesday, after visiting Georgia on Tuesday. (BBC)
From: A. Papazian