Political analyst says Russia’s stand in Caucasus will weaken

AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
June 2 2004

Political analyst Vafa Guluzada was quoted as saying on Monday that
after Azerbaijan and Armenia sign a peace treaty, Russia will have
no influence on the two countries.

AssA-Irada — He underlined that the issue of influence is the key
reason for Moscow’s interest in the protracted Upper Garabagh conflict.
Guluzada said Russia will not bring investments and new technologies
into Azerbaijan and Armenia under pressure from the US and Western
European countries, and added that Armenia is likely to demand
withdrawal of Russian military contingent from its territory soon.

At the same time, the political analyst noted that official Moscow
will make attempts to bring pro-Russian forces to power in Georgia
and Azerbaijan.

“Russia hopes for weakening of the US stand worldwide and will
thus try to strengthen its own position in the Caucasus”, he said.
However, Guluzada said such attempts by Russia will be unsuccessful.
“The history never goes back,” he concluded.