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Russian political expert: In both Armenia and Azerbaijan it is the
oppositions rather than the governments that oppose the existing
status quo
by Ashot Safaryan
Saturday, February 7, 14:19
There are a number of actors who are interested in growing tensions in
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, Russian political expert Alexander
Sotnichenko told ArmInfo on Saturday.
"One of them is the United States. Now that the Americans have
strained relations with Russia, they are seeking to weaken its allies,
including Armenia, and to discredit any international projects in the
post-Soviet area. So, they may well be financing Armenian forces
opposing the existing status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh. The other
destabilizing factors are the oppositionists like the Pre-Parliament
and those criticizing Russian-Armenian relations after the tragedy in
Grumri. Many experts believe that this may be a sign of somebody
preparing to topple the ruling regime in Armenia," Sotnichenko said.
Regarding Azerbaijan, he said that that country has a strong "party of
war" - an opposition force comprising a number of high-ranking
military officials and MPs. "They believe that now that Russia is
having problems with its Eurasian Economic Union and the Customs Union
projects, Azerbaijan's military and economic dominance in the regions
can help it to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem by force.
Aliyev's regime is hardly interested in this, but considering
Azerbaijan's oil price-related problems, those wishing to solve the
country's problems by means of a splendid little war may prevail,"
Sotnichenko said.
According to the expert, the passiveness of the OSCE Minsk Group makes
things even worse. "Their strategy is not to resolve the conflict but
to freeze it and to prevent a new war, but sooner or later it may fall
victim to some provocateurs," Sotnichenko said.
As far as Turkey is concerned, he believes that the Turks are not
interested in high tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh. "They have lots of
unsolved political problems of their own. What they seek in the South
Caucasus is economic dominance and this can be attained only in case
of political stability. On top of this, the Turks enjoy quite good
partner ties with the Russians. So, they must be very careful in this
region so as not to spoil this partnership," Sotnichenko said.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=2B54E9A0-AEBB-11E4-B6670EB7C0D21663
oppositions rather than the governments that oppose the existing
status quo
by Ashot Safaryan
Saturday, February 7, 14:19
There are a number of actors who are interested in growing tensions in
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, Russian political expert Alexander
Sotnichenko told ArmInfo on Saturday.
"One of them is the United States. Now that the Americans have
strained relations with Russia, they are seeking to weaken its allies,
including Armenia, and to discredit any international projects in the
post-Soviet area. So, they may well be financing Armenian forces
opposing the existing status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh. The other
destabilizing factors are the oppositionists like the Pre-Parliament
and those criticizing Russian-Armenian relations after the tragedy in
Grumri. Many experts believe that this may be a sign of somebody
preparing to topple the ruling regime in Armenia," Sotnichenko said.
Regarding Azerbaijan, he said that that country has a strong "party of
war" - an opposition force comprising a number of high-ranking
military officials and MPs. "They believe that now that Russia is
having problems with its Eurasian Economic Union and the Customs Union
projects, Azerbaijan's military and economic dominance in the regions
can help it to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem by force.
Aliyev's regime is hardly interested in this, but considering
Azerbaijan's oil price-related problems, those wishing to solve the
country's problems by means of a splendid little war may prevail,"
Sotnichenko said.
According to the expert, the passiveness of the OSCE Minsk Group makes
things even worse. "Their strategy is not to resolve the conflict but
to freeze it and to prevent a new war, but sooner or later it may fall
victim to some provocateurs," Sotnichenko said.
As far as Turkey is concerned, he believes that the Turks are not
interested in high tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh. "They have lots of
unsolved political problems of their own. What they seek in the South
Caucasus is economic dominance and this can be attained only in case
of political stability. On top of this, the Turks enjoy quite good
partner ties with the Russians. So, they must be very careful in this
region so as not to spoil this partnership," Sotnichenko said.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=2B54E9A0-AEBB-11E4-B6670EB7C0D21663