'I would say resolving the conflict in a peaceful way in the near future is unlikely.
There is obviously no overlap in the position as to the final status of Karabakh: Azerbaijan insists that it should remain part of Azerbaijan, while Armenia does not accept that position, insisting instead on a vote for independence', said an interview APA Scott Radnitz, Assistant Professor at the Jackson School of International Studies of University of Washington, who currently works on a project that includes a laboratory experiment on framing processes and historical narratives relating to the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
He said while this aspect of the negotiations remains unresolved as it will most likely be for the foreseeable future - a resolution that encompasses more manageable issues, such as the return of refugees and IDPs and the withdrawal of Armenia from the seven regions of Azerbaijan that surround Karabakh, will be difficult to attain.
'First, the ill-feeling generated during the conflict has a long-lasting impact on the possibilities for reconciliation between the warring sides. As memories of suffering are turned into narratives of victimization on both sides, people are unwilling to make even small concessions.
Second, as a result of popular sentiment, politicians find it difficult to make deals with their adversary. Instead, they benefit politically by fanning the flames of resentment at home. Unfortunately, this has the effect of limiting their ability to make the concessions necessary for a long-term resolution of the conflict, as such moves would risk provoking a massive backlash from the populace.
Resolution will take a combination of courageous leadership on both sides and a change in public opinion over time that involves a shift from a desire for retribution to a recognition of long-term interests. This is not an easy transition for any society, and Western mediators should reflect on the centuries of strife that Europe endured before elites internalized the importance of reconciliation and built institutions to manage conflict in peaceful ways', he said answering the question whether the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be compared to other conflicts, such as Abkhazia, South Ossetia, the Israeli-Palestinian stand-off.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
