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US EX-AMBASSADORS TO ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN CLAIM RUSSIA INTERESTED IN NEITHER WAR NOR PEACE IN KARABAKH
news.am
June 21, 2012 | 15:26
WASHINGTON. - The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International
Studies in Washington held on Wednesday debates on Averting Conflict
in the Caucasus: Is Russia a partner or a Spoiler? which brought
forward great interest among diplomats and U.S. administration,
faculty and students.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans and former Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Richard Kauzlarich were the rapporteurs. The debates
led to two main conclusions, including (i) the United States will
consider Russia on the South Caucasus and (ii) will not take acute
measures to irritate Moscow, Turan agency reports.
At the same time if Armenia and Azerbaijan want to escape war, they
should run dialogue, secure transparency, get nations prepared for
peace and reinforce democracy in their countries.
"Those countries which lack freedom of media and opposition, are
impossible to bring to peace due to the OSCE Minsk Group mechanisms,"
Evans said.
Both ambassadors believe that 'tone and expressions' should be changed
in the talks. The sides should once and for all refuse the idea of
100 percent victory. Otherwise the region will be involved in a more
devastating war.
"Moscow is interested in neither war nor peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue," the two diplomats believe.
According to Kauzlarich, Russia fears for the regional peace to put
an end to Moscow's influence and removal from the region, hence,
Kremlin cares not for peace but an imitation of peace process.
In his turn, Evans said that Moscow is concerned about the possibility
of war, which will damage its interests. At the same time, Russia
considers necessary to continue talks and bring closer Armenian-Turkish
ties. Besides, weakening Moscow's ambitions may influence positively
on achieving peace. Anyway, peace will be problematic to achieve
unless societies inside are not free.
news.am
June 21, 2012 | 15:26
WASHINGTON. - The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International
Studies in Washington held on Wednesday debates on Averting Conflict
in the Caucasus: Is Russia a partner or a Spoiler? which brought
forward great interest among diplomats and U.S. administration,
faculty and students.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans and former Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Richard Kauzlarich were the rapporteurs. The debates
led to two main conclusions, including (i) the United States will
consider Russia on the South Caucasus and (ii) will not take acute
measures to irritate Moscow, Turan agency reports.
At the same time if Armenia and Azerbaijan want to escape war, they
should run dialogue, secure transparency, get nations prepared for
peace and reinforce democracy in their countries.
"Those countries which lack freedom of media and opposition, are
impossible to bring to peace due to the OSCE Minsk Group mechanisms,"
Evans said.
Both ambassadors believe that 'tone and expressions' should be changed
in the talks. The sides should once and for all refuse the idea of
100 percent victory. Otherwise the region will be involved in a more
devastating war.
"Moscow is interested in neither war nor peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue," the two diplomats believe.
According to Kauzlarich, Russia fears for the regional peace to put
an end to Moscow's influence and removal from the region, hence,
Kremlin cares not for peace but an imitation of peace process.
In his turn, Evans said that Moscow is concerned about the possibility
of war, which will damage its interests. At the same time, Russia
considers necessary to continue talks and bring closer Armenian-Turkish
ties. Besides, weakening Moscow's ambitions may influence positively
on achieving peace. Anyway, peace will be problematic to achieve
unless societies inside are not free.