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CALIFORNIA MOVE: RESOLUTION ON KARABAKH RECOGNITION IN AMERICAN STATE AND REGIONAL GEOPOLITICS
Analysis | 10.01.14 | 10:37
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent
A resolution calling for the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh was
introduced in the parliament of California (USA) on January 6.
Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) joined with people of Armenian
descent around California and the world in calling for the United
States to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as a sovereign state.
Over the past two years four U.S. states, namely Rhode Island, Maine,
Louisiana and Massachusetts, have recognized Nagorno-Karabakh's
independence. Last year, California lawmakers visited Karabakh and
still then opinions were expressed that California could recognize
Karabakh's independence and call on the U.S. administration to do
the same.
The issue of Karabakh's recognition in the U.S. is getting almost the
same pace as the Armenian genocide recognition some 10-20 years ago.
The link between these two processes is obvious: Turkey does not hide
the fact that the blocking of borders with Armenia is connected with
the Karabakh conflict. In response, the U.S. states hint that the
Karabakh conflict can be resolved by way of recognition rather than
'compromise'. And these 'hints' will intensify as we approach April 24,
2015, when Armenians around the world will commemorate the centennial
of the Ottoman-era Genocide.
Armenian political analysts are not particularly optimistic about the
prospects for political recognition of the NKR. There aren't many
reasons for optimism - despite the recognition and condemnation of
the Armenian Genocide by 43 American states, the United States has
not yet officially recognized the genocide.
However, some political analysts still believe that by 2015 the United
States, as a deterrent against Turkish ambitions, may recognize both
the Armenian Genocide and Karabakh's independence. And that will
depend on the behavior of Turkey, which is currently seeing some
fermentations and where the leadership blames it on 'external forces'.
Turkish authorities claim that political scandals and unrest in
the country are inspired by billionaire Islamist Fetullah Gulen,
a U.S.-based opponent of current Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan. And co-chairman of the executive board of the Union of Kurdish
Communities Bese Hozat openly stated that structures had been set
up within Turkey that are essentially a state within a state. She
particularly mentioned the organization of Gulen, stating that in
the U.S. he is supported by the Armenian, Greek and Jewish lobbies.
Next week, the U.S., Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group will meet with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister
of Switzerland Didier Burkhalter in Bonn, Germany. A meeting of the
foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan is also due to be held
during January. This meeting is expected to discuss preparations for
the summit of the two countries' leaders. It is noteworthy that these
meetings are organized at the initiative of the United States.
Analyses assume that during the negotiations the parties will not
be discussing a final settlement of the conflict, but rather ways
of strengthening the regime of non-resumption of hostilities and
confidence-building measures. A partial opening of the border between
Armenia and Turkey and Azerbaijan for new regional communications
and energy transit projects may be among these 'confidence-building
measures'.
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/51236/armenia_karabakh_recognition_azerbaijan
Analysis | 10.01.14 | 10:37
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent
A resolution calling for the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh was
introduced in the parliament of California (USA) on January 6.
Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) joined with people of Armenian
descent around California and the world in calling for the United
States to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as a sovereign state.
Over the past two years four U.S. states, namely Rhode Island, Maine,
Louisiana and Massachusetts, have recognized Nagorno-Karabakh's
independence. Last year, California lawmakers visited Karabakh and
still then opinions were expressed that California could recognize
Karabakh's independence and call on the U.S. administration to do
the same.
The issue of Karabakh's recognition in the U.S. is getting almost the
same pace as the Armenian genocide recognition some 10-20 years ago.
The link between these two processes is obvious: Turkey does not hide
the fact that the blocking of borders with Armenia is connected with
the Karabakh conflict. In response, the U.S. states hint that the
Karabakh conflict can be resolved by way of recognition rather than
'compromise'. And these 'hints' will intensify as we approach April 24,
2015, when Armenians around the world will commemorate the centennial
of the Ottoman-era Genocide.
Armenian political analysts are not particularly optimistic about the
prospects for political recognition of the NKR. There aren't many
reasons for optimism - despite the recognition and condemnation of
the Armenian Genocide by 43 American states, the United States has
not yet officially recognized the genocide.
However, some political analysts still believe that by 2015 the United
States, as a deterrent against Turkish ambitions, may recognize both
the Armenian Genocide and Karabakh's independence. And that will
depend on the behavior of Turkey, which is currently seeing some
fermentations and where the leadership blames it on 'external forces'.
Turkish authorities claim that political scandals and unrest in
the country are inspired by billionaire Islamist Fetullah Gulen,
a U.S.-based opponent of current Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan. And co-chairman of the executive board of the Union of Kurdish
Communities Bese Hozat openly stated that structures had been set
up within Turkey that are essentially a state within a state. She
particularly mentioned the organization of Gulen, stating that in
the U.S. he is supported by the Armenian, Greek and Jewish lobbies.
Next week, the U.S., Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group will meet with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister
of Switzerland Didier Burkhalter in Bonn, Germany. A meeting of the
foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan is also due to be held
during January. This meeting is expected to discuss preparations for
the summit of the two countries' leaders. It is noteworthy that these
meetings are organized at the initiative of the United States.
Analyses assume that during the negotiations the parties will not
be discussing a final settlement of the conflict, but rather ways
of strengthening the regime of non-resumption of hostilities and
confidence-building measures. A partial opening of the border between
Armenia and Turkey and Azerbaijan for new regional communications
and energy transit projects may be among these 'confidence-building
measures'.
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/51236/armenia_karabakh_recognition_azerbaijan