AZERBAIJANI MP: ARMENIA’S PROVOCATIVE MOVES WILL NOT INFLUENCE TURKEY
Today
Dec 25 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with member of Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (parliament)
Nizami Jafarov.
There are much talks in Armenia about country’s withdrawal from the
Armenia-Turkey protocols. In your opinion, what consequences this
move may have?
If this happens, I think that from this moment Armenia’s foreign
policy will be aimed at placing all responsibility to Turkey for
this step. Armenia will try to present withdrawal from the protocols
to the international community as an obligatory step in response to
Ankara’s delay to ratify them.
Nevertheless, given the fact that recently Ankara linked ratification
of the Turkey-Armenia protocols with progress in the Karabakh peace
process, Turkey will not be influenced by Yerevan’s any provocative
moves and will act in a balanced way. On the other hand, Armenia is
currently not ready to withdraw from the seven occupied regions which
Azerbaijan and Turkey demand to do in the first stage of resolving the
Karabakh problem. Therefore, Armenia should be pressured by outside
forces to persuade it to liberate occupied Azerbaijani territories.
Which states can put pressure on Armenia?
I think the U.S. can put this pressure. Georgia is major U.S. ally
in the South Caucasus. The U.S. will not leave this country without
support. Following progress in settling Georgia’s territorial problems,
America may become deeply engaged with resolving the Karabakh
issue. But two forces – the Armenian diaspora in the United States
and Russia are stumbling blocks for Washington in this regard.
In the first case, I think the situation is simpler – the U.S. can
agree with the Armenian diaspora living in the country to soften its
stance on settlement of the Karabakh conflict. In the case of Russia,
the situation is much more complicated.
Nevertheless, I believe that Washington will make certain concessions
to Russia in Eastern Europe to achieve deeper penetration in our
region. This conclusion are due to priorities of the United States
which increasingly shifts to the south (the Middle East, Iran). So,
I think that the pressure on Armenia in the Karabakh issue meets
interests of the United States.
If the U.S. is interested in putting pressure on Armenia in the
Karabakh issue, then why it provides financial assistance to
secessionist entity in the territory of Azerbaijan?
The U.S. help for the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh, is, of course, a
demonstration of double standards. Therefore, the Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry’s protest note to the U.S. is absolutely appropriate move.
Despite this, I believe that Washington’s move aims to lure Armenia
under its influence. But, more importantly, a strategic U.S. goal is
a domination over the entire region of South Caucasus. But this task
cannot be accomplished without resolving the Karabakh conflict.
How do you assess Azerbaijan-Turkey cooperation?
The two countries have no intractable problems and share coordinated
positions on all issues.
What are your views on efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
The OSCE Minsk Group has long lost its credibility. It cannot cope
with its tasks.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress