Interview with Azer Babayev, researcher at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt and a doctor of political sciences.
Q: Why is there no progress on resolving the Karabakh conflict?
A: The interests of numerous world and regional centres, including the United States, Russia and Iran, clash in the South Caucasus. This clash can be seen clearly in the negotiations on a resolution of the Karabakh conflict. The peace talks are, naturally, continuous and tense and are especially strained for Azerbaijan as the country that has suffered most from the conflict.
Q: What are the prospects for progress on a Karabakh settlement in 2011?
A: The most important factor for progress in the negotiating process on the Karabakh conflict is an open condemnation by the West of the occupation of Azerbaijani land, specifically Nagorno-Karabakh and the adjacent districts, and a call for the withdrawal of troops from the occupied lands. I think the main reason for the continued occupation of Azerbaijani land by Armenia is the failure of the Western superpowers to condemn this policy. The Western countries also understand this but they do not want to put serious pressure on Armenia. There are reasons for this, but it should be recognized that the absence of such pressure would become an important step in the constructive resolution of the Karabakh conflict. In other words, it should be explained to Armenia that this conflict can be settled only on the basis of compromise and the continued occupation of land is inadmissible. In this respect, I would like to note that progress in the Karabakh conflict is possible only if real pressure is exerted on Armenia.
Q: What steps should Azerbaijani diplomacy take to encourage the West to demand openly that Armenia withdraw from the occupied lands?
A: Azerbaijan is certainly not a big country, which is why it cannot have a direct impact on the Western countries for them to make clear their position on the Karabakh conflict. But on the regional scale Azerbaijan has special importance and Baku can use this as political capital. In particular, Azerbaijan can use energy policy to influence the West’s position. For example, the Nabucco gas pipeline could be used as leverage since the West attaches special importance to the project. I believe this option for political trading is the most appropriate and possible in the near future.
Q: What is the possibility of a new war in 2011 as part of the Karabakh conflict?
A: In international relations it is said that if there is no peace, there is a threat of war. Therefore, we should never rule out the reality of a new war. Nevertheless, we should take into account that war must always be the last option, Azerbaijan should strive not to start war in settling the Karabakh conflict.
Azerbaijan stands out in all spheres in the region. Azerbaijan has powerful economic potential which is why I believe Azerbaijan’s use of this potential can lead to the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict. In other words, Azerbaijan must give preference to the diplomatic way to resolve the conflict without rejecting the principle "if you want peace, be ready for war".
Leyla Tagiyeva
News.Az
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
