APPOINTMENT OF NEW US MEDIATOR NOT TO AFFECT KARABAKH TALKS

Lider TV
Aug 26 2009
Azerbaijan

[Presenter] Armenian media are putting forward numerous speculations
regarding the replacement of diplomat Matthew Bryza as US co-chairman
of the OSCE Minsk Group. Some Armenian sources claim that Tina
Kaidanow will allegedly fill the vacancy and that in that case it
will become easier to recognize separatist Nagornyy Karabakh as an
independent state. We wonder how much the new appointment is linked
to the recognition of the self-styled entity as an independent state.

[Correspondent over Kaidanow’s still picture] Ms Kaidanow has
already been appointed as US deputy assistant secretary of state to
replace Matthew Bryza. There is no evidence for the time being to
say that she will be appointed as a co-chairperson of the OSCE Minsk
Group. However, Armenian experts are trying to describe the situation
in a way that Tina Kaidanow’s appointment as co-chairperson is about
to come true. Armenians’ optimism with regard to the matter is nothing
but a fantasy.

[Passage omitted: repetition]

[MP Qudrat Hasanquliyev] Diplomats pursue the policies of their
countries, especially individual ambassadors deal with specific tasks
set for them. In view of this, be it a diplomat or a plenipotentiary
representative dealing with Kosovo or a person appointed to deal with
the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, this person can only demonstrate his
or her abilities in carrying out the set task as a diplomat.

[Correspondent] The latest developments prove once again that the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem is in the focus of the international
community. The positions of all interested parties and mediating
countries should coincide for the settlement process to approach the
finish. We wonder if the diplomatic skills of a single ambassador
can suffice to achieve that.

[Political expert Rasim Musabayov] The settlement of the conflict has
long been raised from the level of assistants to the level of deputy
secretary of state, secretary of state, and even the US president,
who keep it in their focus. In view of this, it is absolutely wrong
to think that Tina Kaidanow may alter the direction of the settlement
at her will.