Azerbaijani Press
Sept 10 2008

EXPERTS DIFFER ON GOAL OF TURKISH LEADERS’ VISIT TO AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijani analysts have differed on the goal of Turkish President
Abdullah Gul’s visit to Azerbaijan on 10 September.

Opposition political analyst Qabil Huseynli has told Yeni Musavat
daily that the Turkish president came to Baku to discuss his 6
September visit to Armenia.

"Gul’s talks in Yerevan and the points raised during the talks could
not have gained any force without them being discussed with the
Azerbaijani leadership," Yeni Musavat quoted Huseynli as saying.

The expert said that any agreement should meet Azerbaijan’s interests
in the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement, be it the Nabucco gas pipeline
passing through Armenia or Turkey opening borders with Armenia.

In an interview with Azadliq, pro-opposition political analyst Zardust
Alizada said that Turkey was trying to convince Baku to agree to the
Nabucco pipeline passing through Armenia rather than Georgia.

"Nabucco’s passing through Georgia is dangerous," Alizada
said. "Russian troops are standing there and they can halt it any
time. Europe wants gas. Therefore, they ask that gas is transported
from Azerbaijan to Armenia and further to Turkey. Azerbaijan says that
Armenians should return Karabakh and then it will let gas pass through
there."

Alizada said that however, Armenia had no intention of returning
Karabakh. "They are trying now to ensure that [Azerbaijani President
Ilham] Aliyev compromises and the pipeline passes through Armenia,"
Alizada said.

In the meantime, another analyst, Zeynal Ziya, told private Ekspress
newspaper that Turkey wants to resolve its problems with Armenia,
while at the same time trying to keep Azerbaijan happy. The expert
accused Turkey of taking advantage of the Karabakh conflict.

"In any case, a solution to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict is nowhere
to be seen. What we can see is that the Armenian-Turkish dialogue will
become more intense and Ankara-Yerevan ties will warm up," Ziya said.

[Exerpts translated from Azeri Yeni Musavat, Azadliq, & Ekspress]