Tweet
SPARK THAT COULD RE-KINDLE CONFLICT FROZEN IN THE PAST
The Times (London)
September 5, 2012 Wednesday
Edition 1; National Edition
by: Tony Halpin
Tensions have risen over what is the most intractable and dangerous
of the "frozen conflicts" left over from the collapse of the Soviet
Union, a combination of aggrieved nationalism and religious antagonism
in one of the world's most unstable regions.
Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan have heavyweight patrons.
Russia has a mutual defence pact with Armenia, while Nato member
Turkey backs its ethnic kin in Azerbaijan.
Nagorno-Karabakh is inside Azerbaijan but its majority Armenian
population declared independence after the Soviet collapse and
announced that they would unite with neighbouring Armenia.
Azerbaijan's military laid siege to Nagorno-Karabakh main city,
Stepanakert, for two years, and bombarded the civilian population
until local forces broke out in 1993. Armenia took control of
Nagorno-Karabakh and occupied a swath of surrounding Azerbaijani
territory until a ceasefire in 1994.
This ceasefire has grown increasingly shaky in recent months with
a series of fatal shootings. The US, France and Russia have tried
to negotiate a peace agreement but Armenia insists on the enclave's
right to self determination and Azerbaijan demands respect for its
territorial integrity.
Just six months before he seeks re-election, Armenia's President, Serzh
Sargsyan, who is from Nagorno-Karabakh, is under intense pressure from
nationalists to recognise its independence. Azerbaijan would respond
with a declaration of war, potentially destabilising the whole region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
The Times (London)
September 5, 2012 Wednesday
Edition 1; National Edition
by: Tony Halpin
Tensions have risen over what is the most intractable and dangerous
of the "frozen conflicts" left over from the collapse of the Soviet
Union, a combination of aggrieved nationalism and religious antagonism
in one of the world's most unstable regions.
Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan have heavyweight patrons.
Russia has a mutual defence pact with Armenia, while Nato member
Turkey backs its ethnic kin in Azerbaijan.
Nagorno-Karabakh is inside Azerbaijan but its majority Armenian
population declared independence after the Soviet collapse and
announced that they would unite with neighbouring Armenia.
Azerbaijan's military laid siege to Nagorno-Karabakh main city,
Stepanakert, for two years, and bombarded the civilian population
until local forces broke out in 1993. Armenia took control of
Nagorno-Karabakh and occupied a swath of surrounding Azerbaijani
territory until a ceasefire in 1994.
This ceasefire has grown increasingly shaky in recent months with
a series of fatal shootings. The US, France and Russia have tried
to negotiate a peace agreement but Armenia insists on the enclave's
right to self determination and Azerbaijan demands respect for its
territorial integrity.
Just six months before he seeks re-election, Armenia's President, Serzh
Sargsyan, who is from Nagorno-Karabakh, is under intense pressure from
nationalists to recognise its independence. Azerbaijan would respond
with a declaration of war, potentially destabilising the whole region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress