IN OPINION OF ALEXANDER ISKANDARIAN, ARMENIA TOOK CORRECT POSITION DURING CONFLICT IN SOUTH OSSETIA

Noyan Tapan

Au g 26, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian government took quite a
correct position during the conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia.

Political scientist Alexander Iskandarian expressed this opinion at the
August 26 press conference. In his words, under such circumstances it
was necessary not to interfere in the events and to wait for passions
to calm down – just the way Armenia has behaved. In the opinion of
A. Iskandarian, the South Ossetian developments have changed the
South Caucasian region: Georgia has weakened, and Russia’s role has
changed in the region.

In his opinion, Turkey is also trying to change its role in the South
Caucasus. In this respect, according to him, Armenia should be able
to make use of the existing situation. "Armenia should maintain its
relations with all states, including the West, and show the maximum
caution," he said, adding that Russia-Georgia and U.S.-Iran relations
affect Armenia but the country is trying to keep its relations with
each of these states.

A. Iskandarian said that the issue of recognition of Nagorno
Karabakh’s independence by Armenia has no relation to the recognition
of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In his words, this
only forms a "background" for thinking so. "The recognition of
the NKR by Armenia is of no importance in terms of international
recognition. Azerbaijan should first of all of do it, while in case
of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Georgia should recognize, which in
its turn will cause a wave of recognitions," he noted.