US CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL E. MCMAHON: BOTH USA AND RUSSIA ARE INTERESTED IN ADJUSTING THE CONFLICT IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

APA
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan

Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. APA’s Washington correspondent’s
interview with US congressman Michael E. McMahon

– How would you estimate the current development in the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and the Armenia-Turkey normalization?

– The basic truth of a question, nevertheless, is that Turkey supports
close relations with Azerbaijan, and within many decades a problem
of communications between Turkey and Armenia has been adhered to the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. It would be naïve to think that the
signing of the protocols in October would eliminate this historical
context.

A timeline still has to be set for the protocols to be ratified by
Turkish or Armenian governments. But by this I don’t mean, however,
that the signing in Switzerland was not a huge step forward for
both countries.

Ultimately, Turkey and Armenia have been working together on this
issue, and I believe that the opening of the border would do wonders
for Armenia’s economy and political outlook. Turkey, which has asked
for nothing in return, is a critical US ally. And if the protocol
documents can bring Armenia closer to the West and at the same time
closer to a political solution to resolving Nagorno-Karabakh, I would
support that.

– There are beliefs in the region that the "key" countries play
an important role in conflicts adjustment. Barak Obama and Dmitri
Medvedev have met again, discussing numerous issues, including frozen
conflicts and security. How do you see the cooperation between US
and Russia on these issues?

– It is critical that the United States and Russia maintain an open
dialogue and work together to prevent nuclear dangers throughout the
world. For example, global nonproliferation efforts cannot succeed
without a new START treaty by the December deadline. Both the United
States and Russia, due to their roles throughout the later twentieth
century as global energy suppliers and leaders in arms sales, hold an
incredible amount of stock in this fight. Their coordinated efforts
to monitor the actions of other parties are not only beneficial,
but necessary for global security.

Global nonproliferation, however, is not the only mutual area of
interest for these two countries. They also share an interest in the
Caucuses, as well, and I am fully supportive of the protocols being
signed between Turkey and Armenia. As this process moves forward,
Azerbaijan will play a role as well. In Ankara, Philip Gordon mentioned
that it is unlikely that progress between Armenia and Turkey will occur
without progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Both USA and Russia
are interested in adjusting the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Again,
cooperation between the United States and Russia will pave the road
to peace in this region and greater energy security that reaches far
beyond the Caucuses.

– It has been more than one year after the Georgia war, do you think
there are still risks for new tensions present in the region?

– The conflict in Georgia has unfortunately alienated many of
our Eastern European allies and increased instability in not just
that country, but in the Ukraine and in many other former Soviet
satellites. I whole-heartedly believe that these nations are autonomous
and must be treated as such. There have been several reports in the
past few days indicating that tensions are growing in this region. The
Georgian people are incredibly divided over their allegiances and
there seems to be no sign of an ease in this tension.

What I find to be the most unfortunate aspect of this conflict is
that both sides acted brashly and have widened an already existing gap.

This fact, of course, also leaves the United States in a difficult
position, as well.

I feel that the United States can play a constructive role in this
conflict through greater cooperation with Russia. I would stress that
the situation in Georgia is incredibly fragile, so such talks with
Russia should be conducted away from the public eye in order to avoid
alienating any of the parties and increasing tensions further. I do
feel, however, that the United States, Russia and Georgia should work
together to address the conflict and the future of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia. As it stands, the heightened tensions are only creating
an incredible strain on the international community and the Georgian
people.