Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 5 2010
Azerbaijani political expert: Former Armenian president tried to do
so, but he was overthrown
05 January 2010 [16:48] – Today.Az
Day.Az interview with political expert Zardusht Alizade.
Negotiations on peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
has been going on for 16 years. What changes did positions of the
parties undergo at beginning and at the present stage of the
Azerbaijani-Armenian dialogue?
Since the early days of the negotiations, Armenia wanted independence
for Karabakh (plus Lachin and Goranboy regions), in exchange for
liberation of several regions around the former Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Region. Azerbaijan’s position was liberation of all
territories occupied by Armenia with the subsequent provision of high
autonomy to Karabakh within country’s own territory.
In my opinion, novelty in resolving the Karabakh conflict is due to
intensification of the negotiations as well as Azerbaijan’s consent to
Armenia’s liberation of the five regions around the borders of the
former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region with subsequent return of
Lachin and Kalbajar regions and a referendum on the status of
Karabakh.
Armenia constantly toughens its claims. The evidence is the Armenian
Constitution which shows seven occupied regions of Azerbaijan
bordering with the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region as
"liberated lands of historical Armenia.’
Do you believe some loyalty by the OSCE Minsk Group influence
tightening of Armenia’s position?
On one hand, the OSCE Minsk managed to submit all imaginable and
unimaginable solutions to the Karabakh issue during the negotiation
process. In this regard, it appeared as a fairly efficient mechanism.
On the other hand, the countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group are
playing a double policy. They are constantly calling Azerbaijan,
victim of aggression, for a peaceful solution to the protracted issue
while they encourage Armenia, the aggressor country, by various kinds
of assistance.
Russia provided military assistance worth $1.5 billion to Yerevan and
also sells it energy at bargain prices. The U.S. provided assistance
worth $1.750 billion and the EU more than 0.5 billion euros for
Yerevan. These countries, aiding the aggressor country, are also
mediators in settling the Karabakh conflict. Of course, the position
of these states is far from moral.
In your view, may the recently intensified meetings on resolving the
Karabakh conflict lead to signing of any agreement in 2010?
Everything will depend on whether Serzh Sargsyan will be able tell his
people truth, but not myth. Ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan had once
tried to do this, but he was overthrown. Will Serzh Sargsyan be able
to save Armenian people of nightmare of mythological consciousness? I
do not know answer to this question, but Azerbaijan will not renounce
its territories as it has repeatedly announced. It will also depend
whether the mediators will stop supporting the sick mythological
consciousness of the aggressor country.
Armenians traditionally mark anniversary of the so-called "Armenian
genocide" that allegedly took place in the Ottoman Empire on April 24.
In this context, what steps do you expect from Yerevan and the
Armenian Diaspora?
Of course, recognition of the "Armenian genocide" will be raised in
many countries as usual, including the United States. It is even
possible that Washington will formally adopt the Armenian
interpretation of events in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. However, I do
not think that this could in any way harm Ankara or bring political
dividends to Yerevan. Armenia is more interested in normalizing
relations with Turkey than Turkey with Armenia.
With regard to recognition of "Armenian genocide", this is "feeding"
of the Armenian diaspora, some principle of identity. In this regard,
there is some divergence of opinion between Yerevan and the Armenian
diaspora. Armenia needs Turkey, and therefore Yerevan has to make a
choice between plans to re-establish a "Greater Armenia", or
conversion to a state where there is a national equality.
Z. Ahmadov
URL: