Armenia should first recognize Karabakh’s independence - June, 2008

Armenia should first recognize Karabakh’s independence, Russian expert says

June, 2008

Armenia’s position is that Karabakh should be independent, a Russian expert said. “It’s another matter whether NK will join Armenia as a confederation or function as an independent state,” said Mikhail Alexandrov, head of the Caucasus department at the Institute of CIS studies. As a matter of fact, we have a similar situation as in case in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, according to him. “The Karabakh problem, against the West’s wishes, will not be resolved, since Serzh Sargsyan will stand firmly in defense of national interests of the Armenian people. Watching Russia’s position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Armenia will urge Russia to smooth its position on Karabakh. However, Russia expects Armenia to be the first to recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh,” Alexandrov said.

Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=26450

President of Armenia: "Nagorno Karabakh problem can not have a solution, envisioning degradation of the present status of Nagorno Karabakh people"

"People of Nagorno Karabakh has won its right for independence and Nagorno Karabakh problem can not have a solution, envisioning degradation of present status of Nagorno Karabakh people", said President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan during the meeting with Armenian community of Russia, which took place in the framework of official visit of the President to Moscow on June 23. Serzh Sargsyan told the community representatives that during the meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev the sides agreed to continue talks in the framework of the document, which includes all basic principles of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "Nagorno Karabakh has never been part of Azerbaijan. It was transferred to the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan by illegal decision of the party body, explaining that this step will help spread ideas of October revolution and communism in the Islamic East", noted Serzh Sargsyan.

Source: http://www.today.az/news/politics/45928.html

Russia’s Foreign Minister: Nagorno Karabakh conflict has no military solution

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. “Nagorno Karabakh conflict has no military solution,” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after meting with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Moscow, APA reports. Lavrov said it is the position of Minsk Group co-chairs and underlined that if both sides demonstrate political will, the problem can be solved soon. “The main thing is that concrete negotiations are being held for the settlement of the conflict, the sides have intentions to discuss the unsolved issues and the Minsk Group co-chairs are resolute to help the sides,” he said. The Minister also said that the mediators understand the intention of foreign players to help the process. Sergey Lavrov expressed his confidence that the reached agreements will contribute to the settlement.

Source: http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=49767

Some more Russian companies’ websites show Nagorno Karabakh as independent state

Baku. Zaur nurmammadov-APA. APA Information Agency continues to find out the companies showing Azerbaijan’s Nagorno Karabakh region, as an independent state, or a part of Armenia. The website of Russia’s “Rosfoto” photo bank showed Nagorno Karabakh as a part of Armenia. “This is the most ancient monastery in Nagorno Karabakh that is a part of Armenia” is written under the photo of one of the temples of Dadivank monastery. Besides, STREAM internet project, which is engaged in taking, publishing and keeping the photos, also showed Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state. Photos of Azerbaijan’s occupied territory Nagorno Karabakh have been posted on the website. One of them is the photo of the building knocked down during Karabakh war “This building is located in the center of Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh Republic. A part of the building was knocked down as a result of attack of Azerbaijani aviation, but the façade of the building is being restored” is written under the photo. Nagorno Karabakh is shown as an independent state on the website of Russia’s Zolotaya Korona company producing flags and pennons

Source: http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=50256

In related news:

"If Russia quits Armenia, it will never be able to return to the South Caucasus again"

The due opinion was voiced by Vladimir Zakharov, deputy chief of the MGIMO Center of Caucasus Researches on June 23. "Serzh Sargsyan meets not only with Dmitri Medvedev but also with Vladimir Putin and Boris Gryzlov and Sergey Mironov, who lead all branches of Russian powers. And everyone hopes that these meetings will aim at further closing in the positions of Russia and Armenia", noted expert. "It seems that during the visit of the Armenian president a number of economic and sociopolitical issues will also be considered. Most of them have been urgent for a long period of time-for example, a problem, connected with railroad. Armenia has long been economically isolated and undoubtedly this situation will be discussed. Naturally, it will be settled soon-such problems are not settled in one or two days. But definite agreements are expected in this field, about which we will hear in the near future", considers the analyst. According to the expert, one of the most vulnerable issues of bilateral relations is the further establishment of our strategic partnership, particularly, understanding of how Russia will further behave in Armenia. "Armenian political and business communities are already not homogenius and not all are positive about Russia. Also most consider that Armenia is in vain getting involved in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as it costs to much to the country. And, no matter if some of our politicians can take offense at me, I want to repeat that if Russia leaves Armenia, it will never be able to return to the South Caucasus again", noted Zakharov.

Source: http://www.today.az/news/politics/45897.html

Vafa Quluzade: "Russia will bother Azerbaijan with contacts with Karabakh revenging for our pro-Western orientation"

- Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasili Istratov openly recognized the fact of illegal conclusion of an agreement on cooperation of Russia with one of the cities in Nagorno Karabakh. Before that, the press published information hinting on Russian claims for two Azerbaijani villages, bordering Russia. What is behind it: incompetence of the Russian diplomat, if speaking about Istratov's statement or Russia's intention to develop "Georgian script" in the relation to Azerbaijan, trying to stake on separatism?

- This proves that Russia will toughen its attitude towards Azerbaijan. Moscow is outraged by Azerbaijan's continuation of its Western orientation and strengthening of cooperation with NATO and Moscow feels that this will end in our country's accession to the alliance. Moreover, Russia is angry with Azerbaijan for agreeing to take part in the Nabucco gas pipe project, which is bypassing Russia. As you know, Russia offered Azerbaijan to give it all Azerbaijani gas, but Azerbaijan rejected the offer. The President of Turkmenistan, who refused to received head of Gazprom Miller, demonstrated that Ashkhabad and Baku will participate in this project of gas transportation bypassing Russia.

- What about the coming visit of new president of Russia D.Medvedev to Azerbaijan on July 3-4, which is assessed by the head of the Azerbaijani state as an indicator of high level of relations between the two countries?

- This is why Medvedev wants to visit Azerbaijan and after it Turkmenistan. Russians will try to demonstrate its negative attitude to Azerbaijan by using Nagorno Karabakh. They will establish cooperation between Karabakh and different cities of Russia, hold visit of officials an unofficial persons to Karabakh and threaten to Azerbaijan by repetition of the Kosovo variant and recognition of Nagorno Karabakh's independence. But I would say at once that Russia is not America. Russia will not be able to provide independence of Nagorno Karabakh, as Americans did for Kosovo, because Kosovo is striving for the European Union and NATO and gets aid of the strongest super state-the United States, while Russia itself is a developing country and it can not do anything for Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh.

- But the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are far from those, we currently observe between Moscow and Georgia. Why does Russia need new enemies by striving for recognition of the separatist regime in Nagorno Karabakh?

- Russia will not do it. It will threaten to us, but it does not mean that it will recognize it. Moscow will try to stake on this factor and impose political pressure on the Azerbaijani leadership. But the Azerbaijani leadership is too self-confident.

- So, nothing should be expected from the first meeting of the President of Azerbaijan and Armenia, held in Saint-Petersburg.

- This meeting did not give any results, because both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are fully under Russia's dictate. I have once warned Russia that by rejecting to settle this conflict in 1994-1995, to withdraw Armenian armed forces from the occupied lands and return Azerbaijani refugees to their homes, Russia made a great mistake, as it will lose too much with Americans' appearance.

Source: http://www.today.az/news/politics/45516.html

Eldar Jahangirov: "Azerbaijan's return to the orbit of Russia domination is not too promising for us"

- What do you expect from the official visit of President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev to Azerbaijan, scheduled for July 3-4?

- Though Dmitri Medvedev can not be considered a newcomer in big politics - he is familiar with the post-Soviet area, hydrocarbon and energy specifics- he had been controlling Gazprom, was a permanent member of the Security Council, nevertheless his visit will be mostly of acquaintance. The main points of the agenda of Azerbaijani-Russian relations have already been designated by Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev: diversification of energy sources supplies to Europe, issues of pipeline, Turkmenistan's involvement, Russia's position in the OSCE Minsk Group. Georgian issues, xenophobia in Russia, issues of humanitarian and cultural exchange. Certainly, the visit will be interest and important but I would not expect key changes in Russia's position on issues concerning us.

- How do you assess the current level of Azerbaijani-Russian relations?

- The level of mutual dependence of our countries dictates high level of relations, consistency in positions. Following tensions in the Yeltsin's period, I would feature Azerbaijan-Russia relations as balanced, transparent and clear enough.

- A simple analysis of economic and political potential of the South Caucasus countries shows that it is more useful for Russia to put a stake on Azerbaijan, not on Armenia. Why don't we observe it?

- First of all, we should not forget that main trends of Russia's external policy established in the early 18th century in the times of Peter the Great. Eurasian orientation with two key directions on Iran and on the West is careful, in a sense jealous towards the West, interests in the Near East, principal interest in Ukraine, Belarus and Middle Asia, traditional support of pro-Russian minorities are main geopolitical "prizes" which Russia is fighting for. These directions have a doctrine strategic importance and are subjected to insignificant correction depending on the current situation- energy, Chechnya, election cycle in Russia. Second: is Azerbaijan interested in it? I am sure that Azerbaijan's return to the orbit of Russian domination is not too promising for us. Our country has everything for becoming a key actor in the region and consistent defending of its national interests.

- How do you assess results of external policy, conducted by Azerbaijan within the past five years?

- The external policy makes us optimistic, especially in the past 3-4 years. I consider that the turning point for our diplomacy was toughening position and principal change of the approach-previously we were defending ourselves, but now we are actively attacking. I hope the lack of real professionals is a temporary shortage of the Azerbaijani diplomacy. Certainly, there are professionals, but they are not sufficient for all areas. In this aspect, I consider consolidation and efficiency of various foreign nongovernmental organizations and movements to be a gratifying fact. Youth communities are active in the key directions: Western Europe, the United States and Russia. The role of such associations is great. I would especially like to note the activity of youth organizations in California-the most pro-Armenian state. As for results of the external policy, despite our traditional maximalistic approach, according to which if Karabakh is not hours, no results can be spoken of, there are results and there are evident even for Armenians. Here, I would like to remind that the position of a conflicting country is assessed for three key criteria: official position, established and voiced on the state level, position of experts and public opinion. Thus, on all the three criteria, the game is targeting the Armenian goals.

- Can you speak in details: which steps should Azerbaijan take for the world society to take pro-Azerbaijani stance in case of resumption of hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh?

- Well, first of all, even if the world society does not take the pro-Azerbaijani position, but will adhere to common sense, logics and international law, it would be enough for us. Unfortunately, international relations today are too far from the principles of justice and logics. I would like to draw your attention to an important detail-the politicians are growing younger throughout the world. If earlier the age "older than 60" was considered the flourishing age, today the people at the age of 40-50 are on the pick of the political career. The "chieftains" are being replaced by armchair technocrats. I think this specifies a number of features of work, which should be taken into account. The politics has become more dynamic, inertia has reduced in the process. Technologies of political lobbying and influence have been through the past 2-3 decades. Talented specialists appeared in these sphere. These technologies should be assimilated, effectively applied and experienced specialists should be attracted. As for actions, which would allow minimizing pressure in case of hostilities, this is a multi-plan work. It is necessary to attain approval of documents with necessary formulations in the international instances, work from open tributes and corridors and form just position of observers. I think the main burden should be as follows: "you had everything to avert the war, but you left us no choice". Position of western politicians mostly depends on public opinion. Therefore, we should cooperate with the leaderships of main world mass medias and separate key influential journalists. This is a huge, expensive work, requiring filigree technique of talks and attraction of experienced specialists. But this work should have been conducted beginning from "yesterday".

Source: http://www.today.az/news/politics/45719.html

Khazar Ibrahim: “Russia should state to Armenia that aggressive policy is unacceptable”

“Everybody knows that there is close military cooperation between Russia and Armenia. The main factor is that whether aggressor is supported or not”, Khazar Ibrahim, Spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, APA reports. Asked whether Armenian President and Defense Minister’s visits to Russia are of supporting character of Moscow to aggressive country or not, he answered: “We have stated to Russia many times that they should take into account their commitments in their policy. This is duty of Russia to mediate in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict as one of the co-chairs of OSCE MG. Moscow should take this factor into account in the relations with Yerevan and state to Armenia that its aggressive policy is unacceptable and call the country for constructive dialogue”, he said.

Source: http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=50986

Baku calls on Russia “to stop rendering military assistance to Armenia”

Baku called on Russia “to stop rendering military assistance to Armenia.” “Russia and Armenia are cooperating within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). It’s not a secret. But the fact is that Russia renders military assistance to an aggressor,” said Khazar Ibrahim, spokesman for the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. He also called on Russia “to be more impartial in the Karabakh process and not to forget about its mediating mission in the OSCE Minsk Group, Azeri media reports say.

Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=26404