Azeri paper urges government to be more resolute in relations with NATO
Zerkalo, Baku
10 Jul 04
The problem brought about by the participation of Armenian officers in
the Cooperative Best Effort-2004 exercises within NATO’s Partnership
for Peace seems to be drawing to an end.
We have effectively witnessed the Armenian’s victory in this
diplomatic and procedural struggle. And they appear not to have
applied any particular effort to visit Azerbaijan and attend a
preliminary conference for the mentioned NATO exercises. Apparently,
they have simply used ordinary technical facilities by applying to
appropriate bodies in Brussels. This time the Armenians were more
careful not to repeat the past when they could not attend similar
conferences thanks to our efforts.
It turns out that the authorities and society stick to completely
different positions on the issue. The authorities proved too weak to
withstand the pressure from NATO officials and, in a move to justify
themselves, said this was an international event and if the Armenian
officers were to be barred from attending the conference it would deal
a blow to Azerbaijan’s international image and strain its relations
with NATO.
To be frank, we are surprised at the position of NATO
officials. Because unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan is actively cooperating
with NATO. Why does Brussels insist on the participation of the
Armenian officers in the exercises held in Azerbaijan knowing only too
well that this hurts the feelings of our people? Are there
pro-Armenian forces in Brussels who think that the Armenian officers
must attend the exercises by all means? And our authorities hope that
after seeing how fast Azerbaijan is developing, the Armenian officers
will realize that their position is not right and urge their leaders
to sit down at the negotiating table with Azerbaijan.
Let’s note, however, that the Armenians are unlikely to understand
that. First of all, because they will hardly be able to visit the
sites that testify to high living standards (high-rise buildings,
roads, factories, etc.). Secondly, why do they need to see everything
with their own eyes if they can easily see Azerbaijan’s achievements
using the advantages of our 21st-century world?
[Passage omitted: minor details]
The latest developments have set a dangerous precedent. Azerbaijan is
not a NATO member yet but is already retreating under pressure from
the alliance. Our country’s defeat in the issue, though not material
or physical, is beyond doubt. And this deals a moral blow to our
international image as of a partner country. In other words, it
appears that Azerbaijan can make concessions if put under pressure.
We have been hearing quite often that seven Armenian officers are
expected to come to Baku within NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme
in September. A short while ago the deputy foreign minister, Araz
Azimov, said two Armenian officers might attend the exercises. What
will our government’s reaction be? How will society respond? Or, more
importantly, what is to be done?
My suggestion: The foreign affairs and defence ministries have got to
make it clear to NATO officials in a harsher tone than before that
this must not happen again. In principle, our authorities have already
sent the message. Or the mentioned state agencies have to put forward
the initiative to hold activities within Partnership for Peace in
another country aspiring to a NATO membership, such as Ukraine or
Georgia. I don’t think Azerbaijan will end up losing a lot by refusing
to host the alliance’s exercises on its soil.
[Passage omitted: minor details]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress