Kazimirov: resumption of war in Karabakh menacing entire international community

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Resumption of hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh would cause more damage than in 1992-1994, since collisions would take place between well-equipped armies but not guerilla troops. However, neither of the sides will manage a victorious blitzkrieg within next 4-5 years. Lingering hostilities will be pernicious for the initiator first of all and this fact demands the most thorough speculation by the leaders," said Vladimir Kazimirov, the Russian mediator on Nagorno Karabakh in 1992-1996.



The war menaces the entire international community as well, according to him. "The South Caucasus is not a region deserving indifference. It won't be easy to justify a new carnage by Armenian occupation, since everyone sees Yerevan and Stepanakert insisting on a compromise solution while Baku stubbornly threatens with war if Armenians don't quit all lands including Nagorno Karabakh. Repetition of hostilities will be perceived as a greater anomaly that the ugly heritage of the previous war - the seizure of lands," the Russian diplomat said.



"The side that dares to violate the armistice will immediately draw universal anger for breaking off the OSCE principles and commitments to the CoE. World powers and influential international organizations, which have worked for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, will severely condemn the aggressor.



All will without delay quote Article 9 of the Azerbaijani Constitution which rejects war as a means of settlement of international conflicts. Meanwhile, Azeri leaders have already undermined the authority of their Organic Law by bellicose statements. They don't fail to cite the Constitution when commenting on referendum on NK status but seem to completely forget the above-mentioned article.



Baku will be reminded of its speeding up the armament race and boosting the defense budget. Total neglect of the agreement on suppression of border incidents concluded with Armenia and Karabakh by Heydar Aliyev's edict will also come to light.



Every day the Azeri Defense Ministry reports violation of the ceasefire by Armenians. And here a logical discrepancy occurs. If Baku really wants to suppress incidents, why doesn't it follow the agreement officially signed under the aegis of the OSCE? Meanwhile, Yerevan and Stepanakert have numerously stated support to the agreement.



If Baku thinks this agreement imperfect, it could be amended or replaced by another one. But Azeris prefer casualties in order to aggravate tensions and pursue their hysterical propaganda.



Armed revenge can entail grave consequences. Daniel Fried, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, once said war would ruin Azerbaijan's future," Vladimir Kazimirov wrote in an article "Is there a wayout of Karabakh deadlock?" published by Russia in Global Politics magazine.