RUSSIAN POLITICIANS COMMENT ON POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT TO POST OF NEW OSCE MG RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR

Today.Az
19 August 2009 [11:54]

In an interview with Day.Az, Russian political experts commented
on Russia’s intention to replace country’s co-chair in the OSCE
Minsk Group.

Aleksei Vlasov, Director of Post-Soviet Area Studies Center: "The
question has not been resolved yet. It is of great importance in terms
of figure who will participate in making significant and important
strategic decisions. So, perhaps this appointment has not been decided
yet. Therefore, this information has not yet been confirmed nor
refuted. I think this matter will be cleared up in the next few days."

Sergey Markedonov, Deputy Head of Political and Military Analysis
Institute and associate professor at State Humanitarian Institute:
"I do not know whether this substitution will take place. I also do
not think this is somehow important geopolitical event. Most likely
it will be technical. In any case, whoever will be co-chair of the
Minsk Group from Russia, it will not mean a dramatic shift in the
activities of the Group and Russia’s attitudes towards the Karabakh
conflict settlement."

Alexander Karavayev, Russian political expert and head of Political
Forecasting Center for Post-Soviet Area Studies: "This is really a
technical thing related to the fact that the staff issue hs not been
decided yet. Replacement is likely to take place in the second half
of 2009. The very practice of appointing Russian diplomats shows that
this is very long process which requires many inter-coordination and
principal decisions. Indeed, the activities, which the Minsk Group
is involved with, are very important for Russia. There is a need
for a professional expert who will be able to adequately perform
the job. But there are no so many people in Russia. In any case,
there are people and this simply requires a certain choice.

Some rumors had it that Grigory Karasin will be appointed to this post
as his job performance in the Foreign Ministry are highly appreciated
by Russian observers and experts. He was even nominated to the post
of Russian ambassador to Ukraine. I remember Former Russian ambassador
to Azerbaijan Vasily Istratov as other candidate.

I think his work in that capacity has been quite successful and his
is "talked about" in terms of Karabakh problem and situation in the
South Caucasus. Activities of the Minsk Group are diplomatic work and
I think a professional career diplomat will be appointed all the same."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress