POLITICAL SCIENTISTS OF REGION DIVIDED IN OPINION OVER DECLARATION SIGNED BY AZERBAIJAN, RUSSIA, ARMENIA

Trend News Agency
Nov 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 November/ TrendNews/ On 2 November, Presidents of
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia signed a declaration on the settlement
of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

TrendNews interviewed the following leading political scientists of
the region.

Question: To what extent will the declaration accelerate settlement
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibrahim: Joint
declaration by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian Presidents on the
settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a significant document
which reflects all aspects of talks. There is no need to look for
something new in signing of the document. The talks still continue
and the document indicates their significance. Foundation is needed to
be laid to shift to next stage. Oral statements are usually followed
by the signing of a document. Therefore, it was necessary to sign
the document. Azerbaijan is determined to continue talks. The next
stages of the talks are not known yet.

Independent political scientist of Azerbaijan Zardusht Alizade: The
declaration signed by Presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia
does not actually mean anything. It says that the resolution must
be carried out under international law, but it does not specify –
whether right to self-determination or territorial integrity.

President of Social Research Fund of Azerbaijan Rashad Rzaguliyev:
These talks were held only with Russia’s mediation. OSCE Minsk Group
is a group of interests which are incompatible today. The balance
of powers in the region was disturbed as a result of which Russia
undertook responsibility to solve this conflict with all consequences
arising from it

Sergey Markov, Director of Political Studies Institute of Russia
and member of the Russia State Duma (parliament): Russia wants to
reduce presence of foreign players, in particular the United States,
in the region. Because, it has assumed major role in the solution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This document is a declaration of
intentions which will prevent war. It is also Russia’s intentions to
help cooperation and become stabilizing factor in the region. The
absence of war is first of all favorable for Azerbaijan as it is
developing with higher growth rates than Armenia. But all parties
feels there is benefit in different contexts.

Georgian political scientist Archil Gegeshidze: Russia want to
improve harmed image of its peacekeepers in Georgia and accelerating
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is due to this fact. Russia
has damaged image of its peacekeepers to a great extent who exceeded
the necessary measures towards Georgia, the fact the West also stated
and resort to aggression, the opinion which many share in West.

Independent political scientist of Azerbaijan Vafa Guluzade: There was
no need to sign this declaration as it was apparent that Azerbaijan is
not going to attack on Armenia to liberate its lands. Because Armenia
has an agreement with Russia on military cooperation according to
which Russia can fight against Azerbaijan on legal basis in case of
Azerbaijan’s attack.

Most likely, it was Russia’s move toward the West and United States,
as if it works over this issue, whilst they just drag out the time. The
document is profitable only for Armenia and Russia. If earlier Armenia
could suspect that Azerbaijan can attack, now they got the document
and can sleep quietly.

Independent political scientist Rustam Mammadov: The declaration did
not include any concrete thing, so it is difficult to speak about its
practical use. The Azerbaijani President looked more satisfied than
his Armenian counterpart during document signing ceremony. Therefore,
may be, I think Russia has begun to take measures on settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for our benefit.

I hope this document will be successful step, although declaration
is only statement on intentions. On the background of the latest
developments, signing of declaration is a progressive step. The
conflict can be settled only through one mediator. Thus, presence of
competing mediators will prevent normal work on the settlement.

Chairman of opposition Democratic Reform Party of Azerbaijan,
MP Asim Mollazade: The declaration is a piar-action of the Russian
President. After the latest developments in South Ossetia and Abkhazia,
Russia desired to demonstrate its intention actively to take part in
solution of the frozen conflicts, whilst in reality, the declaration
is not a serious step towards the settlement process.

If a schedule on withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the Azerbaijani
occupied territories were specified, then we could speak about serious
intention of Russia in achievement of peace.

Deputy Chairman of Standing Commission of the Azerbaijani Parliament
Gultakin Hajiyeva: Russia as a country involved in the resolution
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, finally, undertook initiative
of its settlement. It is too early to speak about the result of this
initiative, while presence of definite initiatives in this direction
can be assessed as a positive step by Russia.

Chairman of the opposition Democratic Party of Azerbaijan Sardar
Jalaloglu: The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be settled only after
determining influence zones of huge states in the South Caucasus
region ends. At present this process reached its peak level.

If Russia, which occupied territories of Georgia, threatens
Azerbaijan that this country can face with such threat, the
Moscow negotiations will not be fruitful in settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Moscow has organized the meeting to justify
its aggressive actions in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as well as to
divert attention of the international community. It is inappropriate
to think about positive influence of such meetings on settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at the current stage.

Member of Political Council of the Ruling New Azerbaijan Party Aydin
Mirzazade: Activation of Russia in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict will accelerate its solution. Signing of declaration
means acceptance of juridical obligations, which is a positive
milestone. Armenian repeatedly violated international principles
and this declaration will be an obstacle for this country. The
declaration has included majority of principles, which were put
forward by Azerbaijan, particularly, solution of the conflict in
line with the international principles and its negative influence of
development of the region.