THERE IS REASON TO TALK ABOUT NOT AN IMAGINARY, BUT TANGIBLE BREAKTHROUGH IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH TALKS: POLITICAL EXPERT
Today
730.html
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with expert at Azerbaijan-based Lider TV Tofiq
Abbasov.
Day.Az: What are your views about the Munich meeting between
Azerbaijani and Armenian president?
Tofiq Abbasov: Western press widely highlighted the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict prior to the Munich meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents. Some articles and comments even discussed likelihood of
Azerbaijan’s conducting operation to compel Armenia to peace.
It is not accidenal at all. Most recently, at a meeting with a group of
refugees and internally displaced persons Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said that the negotiations to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh must have not a formal, but specific
nature. The Azerbaijani president once again demonstrated commitment
to assertion the just position of his country which implies that the
conflict can be settled only within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
On the other hand, the Azerbaijani leader made it clear that he aims
to secure tangible steps towards resolving the problem. Apparently,
Munich meeting is seen as effective as a result of the unambiguous
and clear position. Because there is every reason to speak not about
an imaginary, but tangible breakthrough.
Q: What concrete steps can be taken in order to turn this breakthrough
into actual steps for a just settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict?
A: The peace process has been delayed by Armenia which has always
demonstrated a commitment to outright obstruction. Suffice it to
recall how Armenian negotiators made a fuss, protracted discussions
on agenda of negotiations and repeatedly returned to the previously
negotiated issues under various pretexts. Of course, such an imitation
of the talks can not last forever. It is high time for the Armenian
side to decide on fundamental matters.
The solution of the conflict should begin with withdrawal of Armenian
armed forces from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories. Only after this,
follow-up questions, including the status can be decided.
Q: Is the Armenian leadership able to explain to citizens that it is no
longer possible to protract negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: I think that not only the Armenia leadership, but also Armenian
society understands that the negotiations have been overly protracted.
Maybe, Armenia has certain hopes and illusions that Turkish-Armenian
rapprochement will postpone the Karabakh issue for long term or
powerful countries will maintain their incompliance constantly. But
this will not happen.
Diplomatic pressure by Azerbaijan undermines fundamental basis
of Armenia’s platform. Arguments of the Armenian diplomacy is no
longer tenable. This was possible due to the fact that Azerbaijan’s
leadership took a wise stance in negotiations and succeeded to
combine the Karabakh problems and Turkish-Armenian reconciliation in
a single context.
President Ilham Aliyev at a recent meeting with the displaced persons
noted Azerbaijan’s obvious superiority in defense and economic spheres
and country’s demographic potential, which meant at the right moment
that Azerbaijan is able to tip the scales in its favor not only in
the negotiating table. I believe not only Yerevan appreciated this
imperative in a duly manner…
This also shows that Azerbaijan is not just ready for a forceful
solution to the conflict, but also to a long war, which is the not
the same case with Armenia. Therefore, if we exclude possibility
of repetition of 1999 events which saw shooting in the Armenian
parliament, one can expect that the Armenian leadership simply have
to accept conditions referred to by the Azerbaijani leader. The reason
is realities, that is lack of alternative which Armenia faces today.