Andrey Areshev: negotiations can’t be held at gunpoint

PanARMENIAN.Net - Negotiations can’t be held at gunpoint or with demand of capitulation, Strategic Culture Foundation deputy director Andrey Areshev stated.

“Should Azeri side continue following the same line of action, expecting for a reply which might be construed as casus belli, it might be reminded of General Gareev’s idea on a war being a bilateral occurrence, where events might develop contrary to your expectations,” the expert pointed out in a piece of opinion entitled “Karabakh Conflict Escalation in the Context of Dmitry Medvedev’s U.S. Visit and the Oncoming Struggle for Iran”.

“Karabakh conflict was developing in the context of intertwined interests of states struggling for control over transit and energy resources of South Caucasus,” the Russian expert noted.

“Attempting to cite trilateral meeting in St. Petersburg as the reason behind Karabakh conflict escalation, the observers failed to notice that the latter occurred on the threshold of President Medvedev’s visit to Washington and activation of U.S. foreign policy towards Azerbaijan.”

“Matthew Bryza, whose provocative activities in August 2008 are public knowledge, was appointed as Ambassador to Baku; U.S. Defense Minister Robert Gates visited the banks of Absheron; oncoming visit of Hillary Clinton to South Caucasus was announced; rumors on stationing of Russian peacemakers in Karabakh (clearly, a distractive maneuver) were spread. Definitely, this fuss pursues several goals – discrediting of the Russian-Armenian military and political union, as well as of the mediatory role of Moscow in the Karabakh conflict settlement. One can suppose a more global purpose – Iran. The Islamic Republic is being surrounded by a circle of American military bases; thus, it is possible that the Karabakh issue is considered by George Bush’s current successors from the point of view of Azerbaijan’s importance, as a neighbor of Iran. The opinion that “the U.S. will be trying to involve Azerbaijan in its policy aimed at isolation and weakening of Iran” has serious grounds. A new war in Karabakh will force Russia out of the South Caucasian region in case of any outcome, and it may become a logical continuation of the anti-Iranian policy of the U.S., as well as a preparatory stage for a large-scale armed conflict in the Middle East,” the Russian expert noted.

An Azeri recon element attempted to penetrate into Arstakh territory in the environs of Chaylu settlement, Mardakert region, on June 18, at 11.30 pm. As a result of retaliatory measures, the armed group was neutralized, leaving one dead and armament on the spot. The Armenian side lost 4 killed. 4 were injured.