ALEXANDER ISKANDARIAN: WORLD DEALS WITH A NEW SOUTH CAUCASUS
Noyan Tapan
Se p 3, 2008
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The most important change in the
region of South Caucasus after the five-day war is the formation of
a new subject, South Ossetia. Alexander Iskandarian, the Director
of the Caucasian Media Institute, stated at the September 3 round
table dedicated to prospects of development of political processes
in the region.
In his words, earlier South Ossetia could not be named a subject
in the sense other non-recognized states in the South Caucasus are
named. The latter, as A. Iskandarian classed it, was the weakest
link among the non-recognized South Caucasian states and differed
with presence of mixed Georgian-Ossetian population. And now, after
forcing Georgian population out of the territory of South Ossetia as
a result of military operations, the situation has changed.
The second important change that happened in the region, in the
political scientist’s opinion, is Georgia’s weakening. "At present
the image of Georgia is the image of a different country and it is
obvious that Georgia is not going to solve the Abkhazian and South
Ossetian problems through a war in the coming years."
The third important change, in Iskandarian’s opinion, is "frightened
Azerbaijan," the evidence of which is official Baku’s reaction to the
events in Georgia. "The situation formed in Azerbaijan rather looks
like panic. The evidence of it is both the first statements and the
statement of the Foreign Ministry that was followed by long silence."
In conclusion A. Iskandarian said that today the world deals with a
new South Caucasus, which has radically changed.