"SELF-DETERMINATION" IN A COLLAR OR "SELF-DETERMINATION" ON A LEAD
by Vladimir Kazimirov

WPS Agency
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
February 15, 2010 Monday
Russia

AZERBAIJAN IS NOT GOING TO MAKE CONCESSIONS WITH REGARD TO THE
NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT; In his interview of Euronews television
channel President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced, "Azerbaijan
wall never agree with independent of Nagorno-Karabakh and will not
accept any mechanisms or procedures that can potentially lead to
its secession." This was a step back blocking the negotiations on
resolving of this long-lasting conflict

In his interview of Euronews television channel President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced, "Azerbaijan will never agree with
independent of Nagorno-Karabakh and will not accept any mechanisms or
procedures that can potentially lead to its secession." It is known
that search for a peaceful resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
with mediation of co-chairs of the Minsk OSCE group and active role
of the President of Russia has been built for years on "exchange"
of removal of Armenian forces from the territories of Azerbaijan
occupied during the war (1991-1994) for organization or a referendum or
"legally binding voting" of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh about
its final status.

Taking into account the audience (these were not refugees living near
Baku and not Azerbaijani servicemen), in his interview Ilham Aliyev
emphasized benefits of a peaceful resolving of the conflict, did not
repeat ordinary threats to use forces but said that "this basic right"
was allegedly given to Azerbaijan by international organizations
including UN. He did not explain who and when had given him such
amazing mandate.

Something opposite is commonly known: Azerbaijan promised to the
OSCE and Council of Europe to solve this conflict peacefully; the
Azerbaijani Defense Minister signed a document on permanent ceasefire;
top-ranking officials of Baku announced that they would observe this
document until signing of an agreement on stopping of the military
conflict etc.

If Aliyev means the right for self-defense, it is written in the UN
Bylaws in case of attack of one state at the other but the complicated
Nagorno-Karabakh can be simplified in such way only in propaganda:
it started in the USSR. Article 51 of the UN Bylaws does not mean
the right for revenge 15-20 years after a war. Acts of aggression
are determined by the UN Security Council and its resolutions on
Nagorno-Karabakh have been ignored.

It is possible to understand discontent of Ilham Aliyev with occupation
of some districts of Azerbaijan that should be eliminated through
negotiations and compromises. Occupation is really an anomaly in
the 21st century. But it did not appear all of a sudden. This is a
result of bitter hostilities that lasted for 30 months! In April of
1993, the UN Security Council demanded "immediate stopping of all
combat operations and hostile acts" for the first time and demanded
immediate withdrawal of all occupation forces from the recently
occupied districts of Azerbaijan in this very succession. However,
Azerbaijan was struggling for withdrawal of Armenian forces without
of stopping of the war. Overestimation of its own forces and wish
to "recoup itself" clouded the mind: Baku evaded stopping of the
war by any means, it frequently ruined brief truces and afterwards
Armenians occupied five districts of Azerbaijan fully and two districts
partially. Azerbaijan performed a counterattack in winter of 1993-1994
already after four resolutions of the UN Security Council and so
contrary to them that the Security Council even stopped issuing
resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh. Non-observance of the resolutions
was started in such way and occupation became a cruel retribution.

Azerbaijan has someone to blame besides Armenians. In any case,
the incumbent Azerbaijani authorities do not accept critique too.

What does Ilham Aliyev offer for the future? Earlier, he spoke about
misbalance on the scales of the desired agreement between the parties.

On the one hand there was quite real liberation of some districts of
Azerbaijan and on the other hand there was something virtual in the
form of voting in Nagorno-Karabakh in unknown time and form.

The latest interview of Aliyev eliminates this virtual option too.

What does the formulation "will never agree with independent of
Nagorno-Karabakh and will not accept any mechanisms or procedures that
can potentially lead to its secession" mean? Where is the referendum?

People are proposed to have self-determination not only in a collar
but also on a lead.

This is a step back that blocks progress in negotiations on
Nagorno-Karabakh and a hint to Ankara not to ratify the Zurich
protocols before April 24.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress