Azeri pundit says rapprochement with France, Iran may harm Karabakh solution
Azadliq, Baku
9 Sep 04
Text of Xayal Sahinoglu’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq
on 9 September headlined “What does another visit to France by the
successor promise?” and subheaded “Xaladdin Ibrahimli thinks that
a close rapprochement with this state must cause concern. Unpleasant
points appear while watching the chronology of Ilham Aliyev’s visits”
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who has paid another visit to
France, discussed the Karabakh problem with Jacques Chirac again. It is
doubtful that the discussions of this problem will lead to a solution
in favour of Azerbaijan. First, these discussions usually have a
formal nature and do not seriously affect the end result. Moreover,
observers regard as unsuccessful the regular visits to France by the
Azerbaijani leader in terms of their geopolitical orientation.
The member of the presidium of the People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party
[PFAP] and political scientist, Xaladdin Ibrahimli, thinks that it
is necessary to visit all the co-chairing countries in view of the
fact that the visit to France is part of the government’s balanced
policy. Ibrahimli sees as unnecessary regular discussions on the
Karabakh problem with Chirac. France’s policy on Azerbaijan and Armenia
is well-known. The PFAP representative thinks that Azerbaijan should
be a little more cautious while setting up relations with this country
since it has been taking a pro-Armenian stance.
“Unpleasant points appear while watching the chronology of Ilham
Aliyev’s visits. Although the USA is one of the main mediators of the
OSCE Minsk Group, the president has still not paid an official visit
to the USA, unlike Russia and France. There are many disagreements
in US and European policy on the Caucasus. The USA, Russia and France
are taking different stances on Iran. It is normal that Azerbaijan is
establishing ties with Iran, France and Russia. However, too close a
rapprochement with these states causes concern. Unlike the pro-Armenian
states, there are some positive aspects in the rapprochement between
the USA and Azerbaijan.
Moreover, Ibrahimli added that the fact that Iran and France have
stepped up their activities on the Karabakh settlement does not
promise Azerbaijan any good.
“The Iranian and French positions on Karabakh are well-known. If
the solution to the conflict falls into their hands, this will mean
an imbalance in the Karabakh problem. One may cite as an example the
fact that the Iranian president is visiting Yerevan when Ilham Aliyev
is in France.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress