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Thomas de Vaal: There are no negotiations as such
15:04 08.09.2014
Lena Badeyan
Public Radio of Armenia
American expert Thomas de Waal, who has been studying the Nagorno
Karabakh issue for years, has several proposals, which should be used
in the negotiations, if the parties want to succeed.
According to the expert, what happened at the Armenian-Azerbaijani
border and the line of contact in early August was a simple "show of
power." He does not exclude, however, that similar actions in, let's
say, five years could grow into new military conflict and considers
that this is the most unwanted possible scenario of development.
Having followed the negotiation process for years, Thomas de Waal
declared today: "The parties should finally proceed to more serious
work."
"What's taking place today has all external expressions of
negotiations, but there are no talks as such; no strategic issues like
concessions are being discussed during those meetings," the senior
associate at the Carnegie Endowment, expert Thomas de Vaal told
reporters in Yerevan.
According to him, judging from what Azerbaijan understands under
concessions, one can assert we have not come a step closer to the
final solution.
"Azerbaijan is not interested in resolving the conflict now," said
Shahin Rzayev the Head of the Baku Office of the Institute for War and
Peace Reporting, who joined the discussion through Internet.
"Imagine that tomorrow the Armenians of Karabakh demand protection of
their rights, democratic elections. This is a headache. In reality,
the settlement of the Karabakh issue is not a priority not only for
the US and the European Union, but also Azerbaijan and Armenia. This
is the reason the problem is unsolved," Shahin Rzayev said.
According to him, personal relations between the Presidents of the two
countries are another reason. "Aliyev and Sargsyan do not like each
other," he said.
Speaking about the future plans, Thomas de Wall said: "The confidence
level is so low that it is necessary to expand the framework of
experts. There are 2-3 people from each side engaged in the issue."
According to him, there are so many issues, which should be addressed
by separate groups. These include the refugee rights, the issue of
Lachin, security issues, and, most importantly, the status of
Karabakh.
That's why Thomas de Waal supports the proposal of the Swiss party to
change the format of negotiations and take the meetings from the
presidential level to different platforms. The expert still connects
hopes with future meetings, but says those are formal unless some
minor issues are unsolved.
The American expert also considers that the Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents should have advisers on issues of Nagorno Karabakh, who
will seriously engage in the process and will meet more frequently
than the leaders.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/09/08/thomas-de-vaal-there-are-no-negotiations-as-such/
From: Baghdasarian
15:04 08.09.2014
Lena Badeyan
Public Radio of Armenia
American expert Thomas de Waal, who has been studying the Nagorno
Karabakh issue for years, has several proposals, which should be used
in the negotiations, if the parties want to succeed.
According to the expert, what happened at the Armenian-Azerbaijani
border and the line of contact in early August was a simple "show of
power." He does not exclude, however, that similar actions in, let's
say, five years could grow into new military conflict and considers
that this is the most unwanted possible scenario of development.
Having followed the negotiation process for years, Thomas de Waal
declared today: "The parties should finally proceed to more serious
work."
"What's taking place today has all external expressions of
negotiations, but there are no talks as such; no strategic issues like
concessions are being discussed during those meetings," the senior
associate at the Carnegie Endowment, expert Thomas de Vaal told
reporters in Yerevan.
According to him, judging from what Azerbaijan understands under
concessions, one can assert we have not come a step closer to the
final solution.
"Azerbaijan is not interested in resolving the conflict now," said
Shahin Rzayev the Head of the Baku Office of the Institute for War and
Peace Reporting, who joined the discussion through Internet.
"Imagine that tomorrow the Armenians of Karabakh demand protection of
their rights, democratic elections. This is a headache. In reality,
the settlement of the Karabakh issue is not a priority not only for
the US and the European Union, but also Azerbaijan and Armenia. This
is the reason the problem is unsolved," Shahin Rzayev said.
According to him, personal relations between the Presidents of the two
countries are another reason. "Aliyev and Sargsyan do not like each
other," he said.
Speaking about the future plans, Thomas de Wall said: "The confidence
level is so low that it is necessary to expand the framework of
experts. There are 2-3 people from each side engaged in the issue."
According to him, there are so many issues, which should be addressed
by separate groups. These include the refugee rights, the issue of
Lachin, security issues, and, most importantly, the status of
Karabakh.
That's why Thomas de Waal supports the proposal of the Swiss party to
change the format of negotiations and take the meetings from the
presidential level to different platforms. The expert still connects
hopes with future meetings, but says those are formal unless some
minor issues are unsolved.
The American expert also considers that the Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents should have advisers on issues of Nagorno Karabakh, who
will seriously engage in the process and will meet more frequently
than the leaders.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/09/08/thomas-de-vaal-there-are-no-negotiations-as-such/
From: Baghdasarian