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  • BAKU: Former Armenian president tried to do so, but was overthrown

    Today, Azerbaijan
    Jan 5 2010

    Azerbaijani political expert: Former Armenian president tried to do
    so, but he was overthrown

    05 January 2010 [16:48] - Today.Az

    Day.Az interview with political expert Zardusht Alizade.

    Negotiations on peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
    has been going on for 16 years. What changes did positions of the
    parties undergo at beginning and at the present stage of the
    Azerbaijani-Armenian dialogue?

    Since the early days of the negotiations, Armenia wanted independence
    for Karabakh (plus Lachin and Goranboy regions), in exchange for
    liberation of several regions around the former Nagorno-Karabakh
    Autonomous Region. Azerbaijan's position was liberation of all
    territories occupied by Armenia with the subsequent provision of high
    autonomy to Karabakh within country's own territory.

    In my opinion, novelty in resolving the Karabakh conflict is due to
    intensification of the negotiations as well as Azerbaijan's consent to
    Armenia's liberation of the five regions around the borders of the
    former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region with subsequent return of
    Lachin and Kalbajar regions and a referendum on the status of
    Karabakh.

    Armenia constantly toughens its claims. The evidence is the Armenian
    Constitution which shows seven occupied regions of Azerbaijan
    bordering with the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region as
    "liberated lands of historical Armenia.'

    Do you believe some loyalty by the OSCE Minsk Group influence
    tightening of Armenia's position?

    On one hand, the OSCE Minsk managed to submit all imaginable and
    unimaginable solutions to the Karabakh issue during the negotiation
    process. In this regard, it appeared as a fairly efficient mechanism.
    On the other hand, the countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group are
    playing a double policy. They are constantly calling Azerbaijan,
    victim of aggression, for a peaceful solution to the protracted issue
    while they encourage Armenia, the aggressor country, by various kinds
    of assistance.

    Russia provided military assistance worth $1.5 billion to Yerevan and
    also sells it energy at bargain prices. The U.S. provided assistance
    worth $1.750 billion and the EU more than 0.5 billion euros for
    Yerevan. These countries, aiding the aggressor country, are also
    mediators in settling the Karabakh conflict. Of course, the position
    of these states is far from moral.

    In your view, may the recently intensified meetings on resolving the
    Karabakh conflict lead to signing of any agreement in 2010?

    Everything will depend on whether Serzh Sargsyan will be able tell his
    people truth, but not myth. Ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan had once
    tried to do this, but he was overthrown. Will Serzh Sargsyan be able
    to save Armenian people of nightmare of mythological consciousness? I
    do not know answer to this question, but Azerbaijan will not renounce
    its territories as it has repeatedly announced. It will also depend
    whether the mediators will stop supporting the sick mythological
    consciousness of the aggressor country.

    Armenians traditionally mark anniversary of the so-called "Armenian
    genocide" that allegedly took place in the Ottoman Empire on April 24.
    In this context, what steps do you expect from Yerevan and the
    Armenian Diaspora?

    Of course, recognition of the "Armenian genocide" will be raised in
    many countries as usual, including the United States. It is even
    possible that Washington will formally adopt the Armenian
    interpretation of events in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. However, I do
    not think that this could in any way harm Ankara or bring political
    dividends to Yerevan. Armenia is more interested in normalizing
    relations with Turkey than Turkey with Armenia.

    With regard to recognition of "Armenian genocide", this is "feeding"
    of the Armenian diaspora, some principle of identity. In this regard,
    there is some divergence of opinion between Yerevan and the Armenian
    diaspora. Armenia needs Turkey, and therefore Yerevan has to make a
    choice between plans to re-establish a "Greater Armenia", or
    conversion to a state where there is a national equality.

    Z. Ahmadov


    URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/58928.html
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