EXPERTS ON CAUCASUS-2012 DRILLS: RUSSIA WARNS AZERBAIJAN AGAINST NEW WAR
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 18, 2012 – 21:57 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Azeri experts commented on Russia-hosted
Caucasus-2012 large scale military drills.
According to Azeri military expert Uzeir Jafarov, Russia has never
seen military exercises of this scale. ~SPresident Putin~Rs attendance
leads us to think that the drills are crucial to Russia, with Moscow
developing scenarios to repel possible threats. Moscow means to show
that events at South Caucasus are not an unsolvable issue to Russia,~T
he said.
Foreign policy expert Farhad Mehdiyev believes the drills might be a
hint to Azerbaijan. ~SExtradition and release of Azeri officer Ramil
Safarov, stalemate in Karabakh issue settlement trigger ideas of a
military settlement of the conflict. Joint CSTO drills in Armenia
followed by Caucasus 2012-military exercises speak volumes.~T
~SRussia is sending a warning to Georgia and Azerbaijan against any
thoughts of a war,~T the expert said.
Azeri diplomat, political scientist Vafa Guluzade, believes Russia is
getting ready for a new Caucasus war, while ~Sconcealing the actual
situation in Dagestan, which strongly opposes Russian pressure.~T
~SThe situation in North Caucasus is highly strained; people
are striving towards Islam, with Russia having lost its economic,
political and military power,~T Vesti.az. quoted the expert as saying.