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BAKU: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Will Be Solved Soon: Georgian Politi

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  • BAKU: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Will Be Solved Soon: Georgian Politi

    NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL BE SOLVED SOON: GEORGIAN POLITICAL EXPERT

    Today
    Nov 30 2009
    Azerbaijan

    Day.Az interview with Georgian political expert, senior researcher
    at Georgia-based Fund of Strategic and International Studies Archil
    Gegeshidze.

    Day.Az: Given the experience of both Georgia and Azerbaijan, do you
    believe an unsuccessful attempt to return occupied lands is better
    than lengthy negotiations?

    Archil Gegeshidze: I do not think so because this method does not
    eradicate roots of the conflict. Even if it is possible to return lands
    by force, the historical memory will remain and the next generation
    (the loser) will try to take revenge. One cannot deploy police in
    every corner to secure peace for forcibly returned population for
    24 hours. Only voluntary reconciliation can provide a truly peaceful
    co-existence and lasting peace between previously warring communities.

    Q: Is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict likely to be solved soon?

    A: I think it will be resolved soon, even though it still requires
    courage of politicians and people's patience. The problem is complex.

    However, the Karabakh problem has a huge advantage in terms of
    settlement - almost nothing hinders the Armenian and Azerbaijani
    sides to negotiate.

    Q: Do you consider the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia
    in international organizations such as the UN and GUAM is effective
    in terms of conflict resolution or there is need to intensify these
    efforts?

    A: I think our common position and initiatives have enabled us to
    defend the right to restore territorial integrity in many respects.

    Otherwise, there would forces in the world that could tip the scales
    in favor of the principle of self-determination of peoples, thereby
    depriving us of our right to restore unity of the country.

    Q: Western experts doubt possibility of Georgia's and Azerbaijan's
    accession to NATO because of the presence of conflicts in these
    countries. What is your opinion on this issue?

    A: There is a strong reason for such skepticism. However, the situation
    might change in future. This can happen soon or not soon. It all
    depends on pace of global politics, namely, whether Russia and the
    West will find a common language and if so, how will it impact the
    NATO enlargement to the East, and if they fail to agree, how it will
    impact plans of the alliance.

    Q: Some believe that following the August events that took place
    last year, return of Abkhazia and South Ossetia back under Tbilisi's
    jurisdiction has become almost a lost cause ...

    A: Perspective is really hopeless, especially in the foreseeable
    future. As for the period into 20 years ahead, here are a few "ifs":
    if Georgia succeeds to get modernized, also as part of the European
    Partnership and transforms from current post-Soviet country into
    a European country; if the Georgian economy reaches the stage of
    rapid growth creating jobs; if Georgia moves closer to the EU, or
    even integrates into it; if the Abkhaz and South Ossetian communities
    are bored of being under patronage, if Russia withdraws its regional
    ambitions in the Caucasus, including those in Georgia. If all these
    'ifs' are implemented, Georgia will have a chance for reunification.
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