SAFAROV IN EXCHANGE FOR STEPANAKERT AIRPORT
Naira Hayrumyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/28145
Politics - Friday, 23 November 2012, 12:22
Meetings of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in Stepanakert revealed
some trends in the Karabakh issue settlement. First, the fact that
the co-chairs gave up the intention to sway Baku into operation of
the airport in Stepanakert. They stated directly that the opening
of the airport in this situation is not expedient. It means that the
plans of those who invested big money in the construction will fail.
Second, the co-chairs are clearly trying to present the intention of
the Armenian side to open the airport as a counteraction to Ramil
Safarov's extradition. The "logic" is the following - we condemned
Safarov's extradition but the Armenians should not open the airport.
The real logic is that Safarov's extradition and Baku's threats
regarding flights between Yerevan and Stepanakert are violation of
the humanitarian law by Azerbaijan. It is not necessary to confront
these two events but to present a joint "bill" to Azerbaijan.
Actually, the co-chairs continue the parity policy which means that
the only purpose is to keep stability and prevent escalations.
Evidently, the "new ideas" pursue these goals which the co-chairs
insistently keep secret. Although, one can presume that they also
contain the proposal to open communications without political
settlements. We can make this presumption in the context of the
proposal to open the Abkhazian part of the Russian-Georgian railway
and rumors on the lay-out of new pipes in the region.
The Karabakh side, for the first time in many years, has taken a
political initiative - to introduce the moratorium on shooting on
several holidays during year, including the Children's Day, the 8th of
March, Easter, Novruz. The co-chairs have not responded to the offer
yet. Perhaps Stepanakert should offer more bold decisions which will
be difficult for the co-chairs to refuse, such as willingness to open
and restore the railway from Stepanakert to the border of Azerbaijan.
The co-chairs will be having meetings in Yerevan on the next few days,
and in December the foreign ministers will meet. The co-chairs confess
that the negotiations are held at the level of the ministers and the
presidents are not going to meet yet. It means there is nothing to
talk about.
From: Baghdasarian
Naira Hayrumyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/28145
Politics - Friday, 23 November 2012, 12:22
Meetings of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in Stepanakert revealed
some trends in the Karabakh issue settlement. First, the fact that
the co-chairs gave up the intention to sway Baku into operation of
the airport in Stepanakert. They stated directly that the opening
of the airport in this situation is not expedient. It means that the
plans of those who invested big money in the construction will fail.
Second, the co-chairs are clearly trying to present the intention of
the Armenian side to open the airport as a counteraction to Ramil
Safarov's extradition. The "logic" is the following - we condemned
Safarov's extradition but the Armenians should not open the airport.
The real logic is that Safarov's extradition and Baku's threats
regarding flights between Yerevan and Stepanakert are violation of
the humanitarian law by Azerbaijan. It is not necessary to confront
these two events but to present a joint "bill" to Azerbaijan.
Actually, the co-chairs continue the parity policy which means that
the only purpose is to keep stability and prevent escalations.
Evidently, the "new ideas" pursue these goals which the co-chairs
insistently keep secret. Although, one can presume that they also
contain the proposal to open communications without political
settlements. We can make this presumption in the context of the
proposal to open the Abkhazian part of the Russian-Georgian railway
and rumors on the lay-out of new pipes in the region.
The Karabakh side, for the first time in many years, has taken a
political initiative - to introduce the moratorium on shooting on
several holidays during year, including the Children's Day, the 8th of
March, Easter, Novruz. The co-chairs have not responded to the offer
yet. Perhaps Stepanakert should offer more bold decisions which will
be difficult for the co-chairs to refuse, such as willingness to open
and restore the railway from Stepanakert to the border of Azerbaijan.
The co-chairs will be having meetings in Yerevan on the next few days,
and in December the foreign ministers will meet. The co-chairs confess
that the negotiations are held at the level of the ministers and the
presidents are not going to meet yet. It means there is nothing to
talk about.
From: Baghdasarian