AMERICAN EXPERT: I DON’T THINK RUSSIA, U.S. WANT REVERSAL OF CURRENT SITUATION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH
Today.Az
07 July 2009 [12:18] – Today.Az
Nikolay Zlobin, US Center for Defense Information (CDI), Senior Fellow
and Director of Russian and Eurasian Programs, spoke in an exclusive
interview with APA.
Q: Would Russia and the US focus Gabala radar again?
A: Currently the United States tries to find solution to the
questions of missile defense system in the Eastern Europe. Its
financial opportunities, political and military needs are on agenda
now. They will begin to search alternatives if they don’t accept the
issue univocally like Bush administration. Only then the Gabala radar
could be reviewed as the most effective alternative. It will demand
first of all review of missile defense inside the US. I consider
the new approach by the Congress, which is funding the project, and
Pentagon, which is managing military-technical calculations. If it
takes place they will search for alternatives. The main question is
that how does the American community intend to share national defense
issues with other countries. The Americans are very sensitive in such
issues. US public opinion’s essence is that only the US is responsible
for its security and it couldn’t be share with anyone even with close
allies. May be such narrow-minded approach was over. Many people think
that the US can’t protect its position and national interests without
global security system. Undoubtedly the Gabala radar could be main
alternative as a facility located in the necessary geography. As I know
US defense official have positive opinion about use of Gabala radar.
Q: The US and Russian presidents focused their attention on Iran
during the negotiations in Moscow. Has Azerbaijan, as a neighbor of
Iran, to pay attention to these negotiations?
A: I consider that it has to pay attention. US-Russia rapprochement
will make the developments in the region more predictable. If the two
countries have very different positions, Washington will not influence
on Israel, which is always ready to strike on Iran. I consider that the
developments over the past two months were positive, which means that
Russia began to change its position and became closer to the United
States. But it is not enough. There is serious discord between the US
and Russia on Iran. There were serious tensions between Washington and
Moscow after the presidential elections in Iran. It gives additional
superiority to the US and creates little guarantee for the stability
in the region. If there is no agreement, it can lead to the war, which
will destroy sensitive security system in the region and cause flow
of refuges to Afghanistan and Azerbaijan. Therefore the neighbor
countries, how it can be undesirable, depend on the US-Russian
negotiations on Iran.
Q: What do you think about the possible solution to Nagorno Karabakh
conflict by the joint efforts of the United States and Russia?
A: The positions of Russia and the US coincide in one point – it is not
our problem and we can’t do anything. Any outside interference in the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict can cause instability only. The positions
of the two large countries coincide in the negative point. Both
Russia and the US have a passive position on the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. They have no priorities and don’t intend to be involved in
the conflict. I don’t consider that both countries want reversal of
the current situation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress