Armenia should become co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group

Armenia should become co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group

By Times.am
30 April, 2010, 12:18 am

By Hrant Meliq- Shahnazaryan

Azerbaijan’s ruling party these days took the initiative to include
Turkey among the countries co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group. The leaders
of the party think that it is time for changes in the institute
co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group. Before the statement of the ruling Yeni
Azerbaijan party the head of the political department of the
presidential administration of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov said that his
Government was dissatisfied with the policy of the United States as
co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group. `The United States often take a
unilateral position in favor of Armenia’, – mentioned Hasanov.

However, it seems that official Baku is not complaining so much about
the position of the United States, but alternating each other good
luck foreign policy. Last exclusively diplomatic ways, drove into a
dead end not only Azerbaijan, but also Turkey, which claimed a
dominant role in the political life of the South Caucasus. And now, to
restore the «balance of power» in regional politics, Aeries have to
destroy the institutions of political dialog between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, as well as other powers, which have political and economic
interests in our region.

It is an obvious fact that the OSCE has never been an effective tool
for solving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It is clear that the main
task of the OSCE Minsk Group has been and remains obstructing the
resumption of armed conflict between Azerbaijan and the Republic of
Artsakh. In fact, this institution has always been an instrument of a
kind of pressure on the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan in order
to achieve certain political and economic benefits. In addition, the
OSCE Minsk Group is also the site where the world’s major powers to
discuss the important problem not only the South Caucasus, but also
the whole of the Caspian-Black Sea region. Therefore, Ankara seeks to
«get involved» in the Institute co-chairs, knowing full well that only
in this case it would be able to get a more important role in
political developments in the region.

Immediately after the 2008 war, 20 August, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan claimed about the initiative of creating a `Caucasus Stability
and Cooperation Platform.’ Erdogan said at the time that the first and
foremost platform must have a geographical basis … `which has an aim
to establish peace and security in the region, economic cooperation
and energy security. This platform must be based on the principles of
the OSCE’.

Note that in 2008 the Prime Minister of Turkey had a very vague idea
of the political presence of various countries in the region. Thus, in
the `Platform of Cooperation’ was not forthcoming participation not
only of the United States, but Iran, which is also an active player in
the politics of the entire South Caucasus. However, it is clear that
introducing a new regional project, Turkey has pursued a very
different purpose. Russia’s military victory over Georgia forced the
Turks to believe that from a regional security system will be
subordinated to political interests of Russia. Ankara decided not to
miss `an opportunity’ and to offer Russia its `services’ to ensure
peace and stability in the Caucasus. However, as further demonstrated
during the Russian side was able to provide a military success. From a
political point of view of the security system of the South Caucasus
has not undergone any significant changes, and the only hope for
Turkey to act in the region as an independent power center was empty.

Today, the Turkish-Azeri diplomacy is in search of new ways to
strengthen Turkey’s role in regional politics. As the most efficient
structure, capable of their `shoulders’ to bring Turkey into the South
Caucasus has been elected OSCE Minsk Group. To achieve its objectives
– `the introduction of’ Turkey in the number of co-chairs – Baku and
Ankara are using all possible methods for them: from the political
agreements to blackmail. Calculation of the Turkic republics is quite
simple. For a long time, the power of Azerbaijan is constantly
threatened by the resumption of hostilities against the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. At the same time claimed that official Baku
is not satisfied with the actions of the OSCE Minsk Group, and noted
`the failure’ of the format of negotiations. In Azerbaijan, hopes
escalate the situation to the extent that international mediators not
agree to the terms of Baku, and do not include Turkey in the number of
OSCE Minsk Group.

However, in Baku and Ankara is also well aware that in the case of
Turkey in the Minsk Group, the Armenian side will require that there
be included is another – more loyal to the Armenian nation. That can
be for example, Iran. That’s why Azeris have decided to play a
proactive and self-start discussion prospects of involving Iran in
negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijan has invited the Iranians to mediate in the conflict at the
end of last year. This initiative was voiced by Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mamedyarov, during his visit to Tehran. Then Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country is ready to assume the
mission of a mediator for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
However, in those days, the initiative did not have any sequels. This
question has been raised again (already initiated by the Iranian side)
in late January in Yerevan during his visit Manouchehr Mottaki in
Yerevan, without any consequences. On 19th April 2010, Iranian Foreign
Minister said that the Baku gave a positive response to Iran’s offer
of mediation in the Karabakh settlement.

Therefore the Azerbaijani leadership blackmailed Washington on the eve
of the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire and
traditional treatment of the U.S. President to the Armenian people.
However, it is clear that Azerbaijan did not mind really help change
the composition of the OSCE Minsk Group. Judging by the publications
of the press, official Baku has already raised this issue before the
current co-chairs of the Minsk Group. According to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Russian diplomats are exploring this initiative.

It should be nmentioned that Azerbaijan’s initiative to integrate
Turkey in the OSCE Minsk Group in Yerevan met with little interest.
Politicians and experts from Armenia, only stated that it was
impossible, considering the subject thus closed. In the meantime, the
question of the current format of the OSCE Minsk Group is on the
agenda of regional policy for quite a long time. Of course, all are
perfectly aware, that this institution is only a deterrent to the
resumption of hostilities between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. Effective mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of the
conflict MG simply can not offer. Thus, not because the co-chairs do
not have enough political will, but such a mechanism does not exist.
At present, the conflicting parties and international mediators have
only a choice between maintaining the status quo and complete defeat
of one of the warring parties in the new Azeri-Armenian war. If a
choice of pasta for the first option, the current OSCE Minsk Group
format best suits the situation. If the actors of regional politicians
decide to move it from place, the ombudsman should indeed be subjected
to certain changes.

However, this will need to put the record straight on «i», and finally
decide who is a party to the conflict, who is an ally of the
conflicting parties and who is the facilitator. The fact is that since
the late nineties of the last century in the negotiation process on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not brought to the most important aspect
of the conflict – the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Instead, the official
Stepanakert talks with the Azerbaijani side is Armenia, which only
helped fellow in Artsakh resist military aggression by Azerbaijan.
Similarly, in negotiations with the Armenian side for Azerbaijan could
serve Turkey, which is given to Azerbaijan by military, technical and
human assistance in the aggression against Armenians. Thus, for the
greater efficiency of the negotiation process should be included in
Stepanakert, the negotiation process and, simultaneously, to recognize
Armenia and Turkey by the sides to armed conflict.

But the problem is that Ankara is clearly unwilling to recognize their
participation in military aggression against the peaceful population
of the NKR, and strives to become a mediator in the settlement of the
Azerbaijani-Karabakh war. The only choice is Armenia. Yerevan, of
course, may indicate Ankara in its place in this conflict, or may
agree to mediation of Turkey. In this case, however, be correct and
logical to Armenia also became one of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group
of OSCE. In fact: the parties, as stipulated in all UN Security
Council resolutions, are the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan.
And only systematically conducted Baku artificial extrusion of Nagorno
Karabakh from Armenia to the negotiating process put forward in the
main negotiator with Azerbaijan. It is high time to Stepanakert won at
the negotiating table rightful place.

The proposed solution to the situation will lead to the negotiations
on settlement of the conflict will be exactly between the parties to
the conflict, which will maintain their natural allies and the
international community.

/Times.am/