Times: Spark That Could Re-Kindle Conflict Frozen In The Past

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