VIOLENCE ESCALATES IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Russia Today
March 5 2008
Russia

A shootout has taken place between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces
in the north-west of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. While
Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of breaking the truce, the latter says
the real reason is an attempt by Yerevan to deflect attention from
the situation in Armenia itself.

There have been conflicting reports as to the number of casualties on
both sides. Azerbaijan says twelve Armenian and four Azeri soldiers
were killed, whereas Armenia claims eight Azeris have died.

Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of breaking the truce and making a serious
incursion into Yerevan-controlled area, something Azerbaijan has
denied this.

Armenia is now experiencing a moment of weakness. The state of
emergency was declared in the capital Yerevan following violent clashes
between police and demonstrators on Saturday, which left 8 people dead.

Armenia, for its part, says Azerbaijan tries to take advantage of
the instability in Armenia to return Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenian President has held a press conference and said that the
situation is back to normal and he hopes the crisis could be resolved
by diplomatic means.

Background of the conflict

Nagorno-Karabakh has been a bone of contention between the two
countries for almost 20 years.

The region is part of Azerbaijan mainly populated by Armenians. The
conflict escalated into a war in the early 1990s when the area
attempted to join Armenia.

Following the war a shaky truce was agreed in 1994 but the area has
remained volatile. Shootouts on the ceasefire line claim around 40
casualties a year on both sides.

Several days ago Azeri president Heydar Aliyev said his country is
prepared to use force if Nagorno-Karabakh is not returned.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress