DENNIS SUMMUT: "THE MOSCOW DECLARATION WOULD BE EFFECTIVE IF IT IS FOLLOWED BY DEFINITE ACTIONS SUCH AS RETURN OF LANDS TO AZERBAIJAN AND RETURN OF REFUGEES AND IDP"
Today.Az
ics/48730.html
Nov 4 2008
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Dennis Summit, chief executive of the British
NGO LINKS.
– The Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a declaration
on the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict. The Presidents
"state that they will promote improvement of the situation in the South
Caucasus and provision of establishment of stability and security
in the region by way of the political resolution of the conflict on
the basis of principles and norms of international law and decisions
and documents, adopted in these frames in order to create favorable
conditions for economic development and comprehensive cooperation in
the region". There is no any word about real progress in the settlement
process. So, what is the importance of the declaration?
– The signing of the declaration is an important development that
hopefully opens the way for the next steps in the resolution of the
Karabakh conflict. It is a good declaration because it is realistic. It
emphasises that the conflict needs to be solved peacefully on the basis
of international law; it recognises the need to follow up political
actions with economic and social development; and it recognises the
need to build confidence as a prerequisite to a full solution of
the problem.
– Can this document to be an attempt of Russia to make Azerbaijan
deny of military way of settlement of the conflict?
– The declaration speaks about a peaceful solution to the conflict. It
means that both sides now recognize that this is the best way to solve
the conflict. It is not only Russia who supports this but practically
all of the international community. Hopefully the document means
that all sides are now going to engage with the efforts to resolve
the conflict peacefully more energetically than before.
– Don’t you think that invitation of two presidents in Moscow is
attempt of Russia to play the main role in the settlement of the
conflict after events in Georgia ?
– It is easy to see this as a Russian attempt to pre-empt the efforts
of the international community. I see it differently. I think this
is a clear message from Russia that it wants to be a constructive
player in the South Caucasus and part of the international effort. The
declaration recognises the work of the OSCE Minsk Process and sees
the next steps taking place in the context of this process. Russia
on its own cannot resolve this conflict. On the other hand neither
can the United States on its own. Both should work with Europe and
with the two sides.
– Can problems between US and Russia because of Georgia influence on
the Karabakh conflict?
– I think the OSCE Minsk Process passed through a difficult moment
immediately after the Georgia conflict. But I think all sides
understand the need to work together. The US and Russia must show
that they care about the region and about the people of the region
and they therefore need to put away any differences between them and
concentrate on bringing peace to the region.
– Are there any real possibilities to reach progress in the settlement
in further years?
– The Moscow declaration will only be useful if it is quickly
followed up by changes on the ground. If there are developments in
the next twelve months – such as return of territory to Azerbaijan,
return of refugees and IDPs and opening up of regional relations –
than one can say that the Moscow declaration was the beginning of a
process. If after one year nothing happens than the Moscow declaration
will be another piece of paper. There are already ideas on the table
– sometimes referred to as the Madrid principles. They may still
need further discussion but they are a good basis from where the two
sides can start. The Minsk Group co-Chair will now have to revitalise
their work.
But I also give a lot of importance to the work of civil society
in general in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are already hearing
a noisy reaction from those who do not want to see peace. They must
not be allowed to dominate the debate. All those organisations and
personalities who care about the future of the region should openly
welcome the Moscow declaration and engage with the Minsk process to
ensure that we get progress as soon as possible. But the governments
of Armenia and Azerbaijan need to ensure that they create space for
this activity.
The Moscow declaration opens a window of opportunity. But unless
there is immediately follow-up this window will close very quickly.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
