TURKISH EXPERT: "RUSSIA SENDS MESSAGE TO POST-SOVIET COUNTRIES BY ITS ATTITUDE TOWARDS GEORGIA"
Azeri Press Agency
Aug 19 2008
Azerbaijan
Istanbul – APA. "The basic principles of the Stability Pact for
the Caucasus offered by Turkey are not known," leader of National
Hegemonism Movement, former minister of state Kamran Inan told APA’s
Turkey bureau. He underlined that it would be difficult to coordinate
the interests of the states in the South Caucasus.
"Armenia’s accusations against Turkey are obvious, Armenians demand
lands from us. They have invaded 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s
territory. Iran always supports Armenia. Russia’s attitude
towards Georgia is obvious – lands of a sovereign state have been
occupied. Taking into account this situation, it is questionable how
the Stability Pact for the Caucasus will be formed," he said.
Kamran Inan took a stance on Russia’s recent actions.
"Russia could not stand Kosovo’s independence. Belgrade was the
closest ally of Moscow during the cold war and after that. Russia
can not resign itself to the separation of Yugoslavia and Kosovo’s
independence. Secondly, by the recent developments, Russia wanted
to send a message to post-Soviet countries: ‘I can not resign myself
to your closeness with the western world. You are my reserve firing
ground’. Remember, as soon as Russia declared its independence it
adopted doctrine ‘Near abroad’. In fact the doctrine means for the
East Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia not to leave the area of
Russia’s influence. Then Russians adopted a new military strategy,
which allowed them to use nuclear weapons while the national
interests demand it. Against the background of these events Poland
which suffered from the Russia’s rough attitude agreed to deploy
US missile defense shield on its soil. According to this agreement
the United States will also instruct the Polish army. I would like
to remind the Russia’s statements against it. The Russian defense
minister stated that Poland wouldn’t remain unpunished. Deputy
Chief of the General Staff stated that if it was necessary they
would use nuclear weapons and to direct the nuclear warheads towards
Poland. These are too harder statements. As you know, it was France
to force Russia to sign ceasefire agreement with Russia. However this
agreement has very hard terms". Kamran Inan said dividing of the world
between the powers re-started again. "Russia has a wide territory
and 152 million population but Russia can’t compete with the United
States in the military field. There is big difference between their
forces. USSR was very stronger than Russia in the period of Cold
War. After the collapse of USSR Russian soldiers sold their arms
to bring home the groceries. Only raise of oil and gas prices made
Russia stronger. However Russia can not be considered as a powerful
state despite its economic development. It is impossible for Russia
to compete with USA in future".