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Major Action Was Thwarted In Karabakh
Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments - Saturday, 24 May 2014, 23:41
Judging by hints of politicians and diplomats, a big action was
planned in Karabakh which was prevented by publishing the principles
of settlement that were initially unacceptable for the Armenians. The
American co-chair published them, and the result was the rejection of
the "principles of Madrid".
One can judge the planned action by several statements. For instance,
the president of Iran Hassan Rowhani announced in Pekin that the
Russian-Iranian cooperation over the past few months has allowed
cutting threat of armed conflicts in the region.
Russia intended to deploy troops in Karabakh on the borders which will
be verified with Baku, return some territories to Azerbaijan, station
the troops on the border with Iran, unite the rest of Karabakh with
Armenia into the Customs Union or annex it altogether.
The recent statement by the NKR minister of defense Movses Hakobyan
indicates that such an action had been planned. "This year, for the
first time over the past five years, Azerbaijan has urged Russia to
mediate for maintaining the ceasefire. We have given our consent but
the enemy broke its word," Movses Hakobyan said.
He said this year the Karabakhi side advanced 6-7 km in the region of
Haterk and occupied useful heights. And for the first time over these
years this year Azerbaijan failed to advance its positions.
Has Iran really succeeded preventing stationing of Russian
"peacekeepers"? Tehran has announced that change of borders is
unacceptable, and presence of foreign troops in the region cannot be
allowed. Iran's statement may have made Russia and Azerbaijan to give
up their plans. And Azerbaijan blames the United States for thwarting
those plans.
The United States does not hide its reluctance for appearance of
Russian troops in the region. The U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan
Richard Morningstar has recently opened the brackets.
"I think perhaps what's changed is the calculation as to risk, as to
future interference with Azerbaijan. I'm not sure Azerbaijan has seen
it yet. It could see it in the future. I think the Putin trip to
Azerbaijan last summer was very interesting."
"Obviously, I'm not in Putin's mind. I was not part of those meetings.
Do you think that either Iran or Russia would like to have common
borders right now?
Russia and Iran may have "common borders" only in case the Russian
troops appear in Karabakh's territories bordering with Iran.
Notably, Warlick's points were approved by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's
foreign minister Mammedyarov said Baku does not mind the presence of
peacekeepers in the conflict area. "Peacekeepers are necessary because
there is no confidence between the sides but it is necessary to ensure
people's security, including of Azerbaijani resettlers."
The entry of Russian forces to Karabakh may eventually put a full stop
to the prospect of opening the region and turn Armenia to an outcast.
For the time being, however, Iran and Europe are talking about layout
of infrastructures via Armenia and bringing the region under the
responsibility of the Euro-Atlantic community. In fact, by thwarting
the Russian-Azerbaijani deal on division of Karabakh (with Armenia's
connivance), Iran and the West saved both Armenian states and reserved
their chance to integrate with the global system.
Maciej Bohosiewicz, the Chairman of the Polish-Armenian Chamber of
Commerce, has recently urged Armenia to become a bridge between Europe
and Iran. Armenia has not responded yet. However, when the terrible
action was being plotted, two important things took place. One was a
march against Putin was help in Yerevan, and, second, young people of
Karabakh rejected the principles of Madrid. Besides, the prospect of
membership of Armenia to the European Union is vague.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/32475#sthash.sJaXsgcO.dpuf
Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments - Saturday, 24 May 2014, 23:41
Judging by hints of politicians and diplomats, a big action was
planned in Karabakh which was prevented by publishing the principles
of settlement that were initially unacceptable for the Armenians. The
American co-chair published them, and the result was the rejection of
the "principles of Madrid".
One can judge the planned action by several statements. For instance,
the president of Iran Hassan Rowhani announced in Pekin that the
Russian-Iranian cooperation over the past few months has allowed
cutting threat of armed conflicts in the region.
Russia intended to deploy troops in Karabakh on the borders which will
be verified with Baku, return some territories to Azerbaijan, station
the troops on the border with Iran, unite the rest of Karabakh with
Armenia into the Customs Union or annex it altogether.
The recent statement by the NKR minister of defense Movses Hakobyan
indicates that such an action had been planned. "This year, for the
first time over the past five years, Azerbaijan has urged Russia to
mediate for maintaining the ceasefire. We have given our consent but
the enemy broke its word," Movses Hakobyan said.
He said this year the Karabakhi side advanced 6-7 km in the region of
Haterk and occupied useful heights. And for the first time over these
years this year Azerbaijan failed to advance its positions.
Has Iran really succeeded preventing stationing of Russian
"peacekeepers"? Tehran has announced that change of borders is
unacceptable, and presence of foreign troops in the region cannot be
allowed. Iran's statement may have made Russia and Azerbaijan to give
up their plans. And Azerbaijan blames the United States for thwarting
those plans.
The United States does not hide its reluctance for appearance of
Russian troops in the region. The U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan
Richard Morningstar has recently opened the brackets.
"I think perhaps what's changed is the calculation as to risk, as to
future interference with Azerbaijan. I'm not sure Azerbaijan has seen
it yet. It could see it in the future. I think the Putin trip to
Azerbaijan last summer was very interesting."
"Obviously, I'm not in Putin's mind. I was not part of those meetings.
Do you think that either Iran or Russia would like to have common
borders right now?
Russia and Iran may have "common borders" only in case the Russian
troops appear in Karabakh's territories bordering with Iran.
Notably, Warlick's points were approved by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's
foreign minister Mammedyarov said Baku does not mind the presence of
peacekeepers in the conflict area. "Peacekeepers are necessary because
there is no confidence between the sides but it is necessary to ensure
people's security, including of Azerbaijani resettlers."
The entry of Russian forces to Karabakh may eventually put a full stop
to the prospect of opening the region and turn Armenia to an outcast.
For the time being, however, Iran and Europe are talking about layout
of infrastructures via Armenia and bringing the region under the
responsibility of the Euro-Atlantic community. In fact, by thwarting
the Russian-Azerbaijani deal on division of Karabakh (with Armenia's
connivance), Iran and the West saved both Armenian states and reserved
their chance to integrate with the global system.
Maciej Bohosiewicz, the Chairman of the Polish-Armenian Chamber of
Commerce, has recently urged Armenia to become a bridge between Europe
and Iran. Armenia has not responded yet. However, when the terrible
action was being plotted, two important things took place. One was a
march against Putin was help in Yerevan, and, second, young people of
Karabakh rejected the principles of Madrid. Besides, the prospect of
membership of Armenia to the European Union is vague.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/32475#sthash.sJaXsgcO.dpuf