SWEDEN’S GENOCIDE RESOLUTION ‘SHOULD NOT BE EXAGGERATED’

News.az
March 16 2010
Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Ingmar Oldberg, senior research associate at the
Swedish Institute of International Affairs.

May the disagreements between Russia and the USA influence the
settlement of conflicts in the post-Soviet area?

There are real conflicts of interests between Russia and the US in the
post-Soviet space, more exaggerated fears than misunderstandings. Some
states want and need support from the US, but the US cannot do much.

Russia and the USA are the main mediators in settling the Karabakh
conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Are they able to help reach
a peaceful solution conflict or are they simply fighting over their
own interests and influence in the region?

Russia is much more involved than the US, as it is a military ally
of Armenia, and an official mediator. The US is mainly involved due
to the Armenian lobby in the US.

Moscow says that possible NATO membership of any CIS state is a threat
to Russia. Do you agree?

No, but the Russians would see it as a threat.

Might the expansion of NATO to the South Caucasus enhance security
in the region?

No, it would provoke Russia, and NATO would be overextended.

Turkey is a NATO member and is helping the Azerbaijani military get
closer to NATO standards. Turkey is also trying actively to bring
peace to the South Caucasus. How successful is this work and do you
think that closer relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia are
in NATO’s interest?

I think Turkey plays a positive role in the region, and is preferable
to US activities, especially in the Russian view. Indirectly
Turkish engagement also favours NATO and promotes stability. Turkish
reconciliation with Armenia is especially valuable, also to NATO and
the US, but for Russia it’s of mixed value, as it needs it less.

How would you comment on recognition of the ‘Armenian genocide’ by
the Swedish parliament? Won’t it harm Swedish-Turkish relations and
the improvement of relations between Turkey and Armenia?

The importance of the Swedish parliament’s decision should not be
exaggerated. There have been several such decisions by other states,
and the Swedish government and supporting parties were against it and
will try to balance it and to remedy relations with Turkey. The issue
of genocide is of course serious, but should be left to historians.

Aliyah Fridman News.Az