ARIEL COHEN: AZERBAIJAN’S PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM WILL CONTRIBUTE TO SOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency
[ 13 Sep 2007 15:30 ]

Interview of Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. Senior Research Fellow for Russia
and Eurasia of Heritage Foundation to APA

– Mr. Cohen, deputy assistant secretary of state John Hood stated
that official Washington agrees to involve the facilities which are
under Russians’ control in missile defense system. Is joint use of
Gabala radar by Russia and the US, which have different positions on
the content and structure of this system, possible?

– I think that, Gabala radar has great potential from geopolitical
and geopolitical aspect and this facility will be interesting for
the US. But Gabala radar means technologies used 30 years ago. Gabala
radar can watch the missile launched from the area it controls. But
this warning does not ensure intercepting the object after certain
limit. The US needs a system that will ensure striking the missile even
in the air. The system that Washington intends to deploy in Europe is
designed for such cases, i.e. intercepting missiles in space. That’s
why the US is seeking alternatives so that to watch the missile the
moment it is launched by deploying its radars in Gabala and eliminate
the danger through objects deployed in Europe.

Implementation of these ideas fully depends on Russia.

Official Moscow will prove with its steps either it wants to be closer
to the US and West, or aims to increase tension. As far as I know,
America does not intend to give up plans in Europe using only Gabala.

Official Washington wants to use both missile defense system that
will be deployed in Europe and Gabala radar station.

– You must have known that Iran severely reacts to any project that
could beat its interests in the region.

Which threat does US usage of Gabala Radar pose for Azerbaijan?

– I do not think that Iran will be able to interfere with Azerbaijan’s
local situation. Most of Azerbaijanis are faithful to their state
and president and know Iranian government’s shortcomings very well.

Why must Iranians be concerned about the US plans on Gabala radar? Only
spiteful people can be against this plan.

– If US and Russian interests meet on Gabala Radar issue as in oil
issue, will there be more possibility to solve the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict in favor of Azerbaijan?

– I assume that Azerbaijan must be interested in keeping warm relations
with all forces of the region.

I would include Moscow, Tehran and Washington firstly.

Deploying missile defense system in Gabala radar is not only the US’s
but only the entire world’s interest. The participation of Azerbaijan
in the global missile defense system project will contribute to the
solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict as well.