STRATFOR PREDICTS INCREASE OF TENSION IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

ArmRadio.am
18.01.2007 17:40

Experts of the American "Stratfor" security consulting intelligence
agency consider that the diplomatic settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict in the near future is hardly possible.

"Azerbaijan has considerably increased its revenues from energy
programs and has promised to spend $1 billion on defense instead of
$700 million in 2006.

Although the Azerbaijani Army yields to that of Armenia, the arms race
can aggravate the confrontation over Nagorno Karabakh controlled by
Armenia," say the predictions "Stratfor" issued yesterday.

According to the authors of the analysis, clarification of the Kosovo
status will lead to the strengthening of the Karabakh conflict,
like it was the case with Georgian separatists."

"Stratfor" experts conclude that in 2007 the "tension in the South
Caucasus will increase."