Washington Launches New "Black Sea Strategy"

WASHINGTON LAUNCHES NEW "BLACK SEA STRATEGY"

PanARMENIAN.Net
31.03.2007 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The American project supposes adoption of new rules
on security problems of coastal states and support for Turkey’s efforts
to establish geo-political dominant position in the region. The cause
for this is coincidence of the greater part of interests between
Ankara and Washington. According to the Pentagon, without Turkey the
United States cannot reach concrete results in advancement to the
Central Asia and farther. Washington’s new project will be presented
to governments of Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova,
Russia, Ukraine and Greece.

The U.S. also urged the costal countries to actively participate
in the security program titled "Black Sea Harmony", which is being
coordinated by Turkey.

Washington’s interests in the Black Sea region proceeds from vital
necessity: The Black Sea includes straits of Bosporus and Dardanelles,
which are being actively manipulated by Turkey for his interests.

Azerbaijan’s inclusion and Turkey’s dominant role in this project are
meant for weakening Russia’s influence in the Black Sea region and
are one of US’s efficient tools in more active anti-Russian policy in
Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. And finally, this is a way for Central
Asia to Western markets. It is also worth mentioning that the Black
Sea region is viewed by Iran as a channel to export his gas and oil.

Alongside, geographical closeness can make Iran an easier target for
warplanes, which will have opportunity to take off from airports of
the region.

Naturally the main goal of the United States is to change the
balance of powers towards his side and decrease Russia’s influence
over the region in economic, political and military spheres. The
other goal is integration of countries, which emerged after USSR’s
collapse, in NATO. However the greatest threats in the region are
conflicts. Caucasus and the Black Sea are in the region of emerging
and developing conflicts: conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia
and Ossetia.

They all are subjects of attention in the light of Russian-Turkish
relations. In 1992-1993 calls for military interference in the
Nagorno Karabakh conflicts were becoming more and more stronger in
Ankara. Commander of CIS Armed Forces marshal Evgeni Shaposhnikov
then stated that it will mean World War 3. Turkish Primes Minister
of those times Suleiman Demirel said "Turkey’s interference in the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict in favor of Azerbaijan will incite the Soviet
Army against Turkey". It is worth mentioning that during meetings in
Moscow and Ankara the Nagorno Karabakh problem always is being viewed
from the viewpoint to provide stability in the region.

However, despite Turkey’s all efforts, Moscow is not going to join
Ankara to the OSCE Minsk Group, clearly realizing what it can threaten
Armenia. It’s interesting the U.S. speaks from similar positions.

Turkeys participation in the settlement of the conflict not only
will upset the fragile balance of powers in the region, but also may
provoke new military actions. Feeling "brotherly" support, Azerbaijan
may seriously set to "settlement of the conflict", which ultimately
will cost one dear both for Azerbaijan and Turkey.

"PanARMENIAN.Net" analytical department

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS