SABINA FREISER: THERE COMES THE TIME FOR DECISIVE STAGE OF KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

ArmInfo
2008-10-28 15:34:00

ArmInfo-TURAN. There comes the time for a decisive stage of the
talks on the Karabakh conflict settlement. Russia tries to encourage
Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents to the peaceful agreement to
restore its authority in the region, Sabina Freiser, program director
of International Crisis Group, said in an interview with Voice of
America (VOA) radio.

Asked which side Russia will take, if military activities are resumed,
Freiser said that Russia acts as a guarantor of Armenia’s security.

"In case of new confrontation, Russia will appear to be in a
complicated situation. Azerbaijan has its own allies, but I think that
emergence of the second seat of conflict on the Caucasus is bad. If the
current favorable situation is not used, the Prague process could be
stopped and it will be hard to resume it. Therefore, we need efforts
of all parties to the conflict," said Freiser.

She added that Azerbaijan should not "boast of" its military budget,
because Armenia is also increasing its military expenses. But
Armenia also should not think that time works for it and that Nagorno
Karabakh’s de-facto independence will naturally turn into reality.

The expert has positively assessed the visit of Turkish President to
Yerevan. "Improvement of relationships between Armenia and Turkey
is useful not only for these countries, but also for the whole
region. This rapprochement should be assessed from the viewpoint of
solution to the Karabakh conflict. I hope that Turkey could act as
a useful mediator," Freiser said.

She said that now world community pays a special attention to the
Karabakh conflict. This is a rare chance, which must be used, because
such an opportunity may never occur.