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Times: Spark That Could Re-Kindle Conflict Frozen In The Past

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  • Times: Spark That Could Re-Kindle Conflict Frozen In The Past

    SPARK THAT COULD RE-KINDLE CONFLICT FROZEN IN THE PAST

    The Times (London)
    September 5, 2012 Wednesday
    Edition 1; National Edition


    by: Tony Halpin

    Tensions have risen over what is the most intractable and dangerous
    of the "frozen conflicts" left over from the collapse of the Soviet
    Union, a combination of aggrieved nationalism and religious antagonism
    in one of the world's most unstable regions.

    Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan have heavyweight patrons.

    Russia has a mutual defence pact with Armenia, while Nato member
    Turkey backs its ethnic kin in Azerbaijan.

    Nagorno-Karabakh is inside Azerbaijan but its majority Armenian
    population declared independence after the Soviet collapse and
    announced that they would unite with neighbouring Armenia.

    Azerbaijan's military laid siege to Nagorno-Karabakh main city,
    Stepanakert, for two years, and bombarded the civilian population
    until local forces broke out in 1993. Armenia took control of
    Nagorno-Karabakh and occupied a swath of surrounding Azerbaijani
    territory until a ceasefire in 1994.

    This ceasefire has grown increasingly shaky in recent months with
    a series of fatal shootings. The US, France and Russia have tried
    to negotiate a peace agreement but Armenia insists on the enclave's
    right to self determination and Azerbaijan demands respect for its
    territorial integrity.

    Just six months before he seeks re-election, Armenia's President, Serzh
    Sargsyan, who is from Nagorno-Karabakh, is under intense pressure from
    nationalists to recognise its independence. Azerbaijan would respond
    with a declaration of war, potentially destabilising the whole region.



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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