Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Aug 10 2014
Rasim Musabekov: “Armenia is responsible for tensions in Karabakh”
10 August 2014 – 11:47am
On August 9 the Russian president met in Sochi with his Azerbaijani
and Armenian counterparts. During their meeting the presidents of
Azerbaijan and Russia focused on bilateral cooperation in various
fields, including the energy industry and investment. In the framework
of his meeting with the Armenian president President Putin discussed
mutual political and trade ties with his Armenian counterpart, as well
as bilateral cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. The parties also
focused on Armenia’s integration into the Eurasian Economic Union. It
is not clear whether the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will meet
with each other or not. The situation surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is aggravated by unprecedented tensions on the front line.
Vestnik Kavkaza discussed the issue with Azerbaijani political analyst
and lawmaker Rasim Musabekov.
– Why, in your opinion, has the conflict intensified?
– First of all, the escalation was not caused by some accidental
events. The skirmishes on the border have been taking place since the
beginning of the year. The Armenians are suffering unprecedented
losses. It is absolutely clear that the recent tensions were caused by
the Armenians. The fact that both the president and the prime minister
left the country at the time proves it. The Armenians have always said
that they will avenge the losses. However, in response to the attack
Azerbaijan has prepared its military machinery and drones. This has
showed that a new phase of an actual military operation is possible.
The Armenians panicked. President Sargsyan left for Belgium, where he
met with French President Francois Hollande. It seems like he was
looking for political support. The Armenian president also met with
foreign ambassadors. Still, it is evident that Armenia is responsible
for the recent tensions and I believe it should be punished.
– Why did the Armenians organize this act of sabotage?
– I think adventurers believed that they could send a group of
saboteurs, and, when Azerbaijan decides to launch a military
operation, persuade foreign powers to make Azerbaijan stop. Thus they
would punish Azerbaijan and look heroic to Armenian society, while
there would be no actual consequences. Moreover, I think Armenia is
trying to induce the international community to force Azerbaijan to
agree to maintain the status quo. Armenia wants foreign mediators to
make Azerbaijan promise that it will not use force, that a military
operation is impossible. This would secure the status quo, which is
favourable to Armenia.
– Do the recent tensions on the Azerbaijani-Armenian contact line have
something to do with the increasing confrontation between Russia and
western powers?
– I don’t think so. There is a conspiracy theory, according to which
Russia is interested in increasing tensions in Palestine, Iraq and
Karabakh so that the Ukrainian conflict is forgotten. I don’t believe
in that. The Russian Foreign Ministry reacted immediately as the
tensions increased in Karabakh. It was Russia who suggested separate
talks with the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders. I believe if a
meeting of the two presidents is organized, it will decrease tensions
in the region.
– How is Russia interested in a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, taking into consideration the worsening relations with the
West?
– Let us be clear. This conflict is not going to be resolved any time
soon. Even if the parties are indeed ready to come to an agreement,
the actual process of the conflict resolution will take 10 more years.
The thing is that the risk of a new war is increasing as the conflict
remains frozen for decades. So your question should be “how is Russia
interested in progress in the Karabakh talks?” I believe no one is
interested in an actual military conflict. I suppose the country which
secures progress in peace talks will be able to enjoy some additional
rights in the region.
– What should be expected from the Sochi meeting?
– I don’t know what to say. First of all, I’m not certain that any
successful discussion will take place so that the presidents of
Azerbaijan and Aremnia will be able to meet with each other. Such a
meeting may be organized only by President Putin himself. Let me
remind you that in late December the two presidents met, but the
agenda for the next meeting has not been agreed yet. Armenia insists
that Azerbaijan should agree to the secession of Karabakh and a part
of Azerbaijani territory. Only after that are the Armenians ready to
negotiate the liberation of occupied Azerbaijani districts. For
Azerbaijan, such an approach is unacceptable. The Madrid principles
say that Armenia should first liberate five occupied districts and
allow the return of refugees. Then the status of Karabakh can be
negotiated. However, the Armenians are sabotaging this process. They
claim that they agree to the plans suggested by the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs, but Azerbaijani does not. In fact, it’s absolutely vice
versa.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/58641.html