Washington launches new "Black Sea strategy"

PanARMENIAN.Net - The American project supposes adoption of new rules on security problems of coastal states and support for Turkey's efforts to establish geo-political dominant position in the region. The cause for this is coincidence of the greater part of interests between Ankara and Washington. According to the Pentagon, without Turkey the United States cannot reach concrete results in advancement to the Central Asia and farther. Washington's new project will be presented to governments of Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Greece. The U.S. also urged the costal countries to actively participate in the security program titled "Black Sea Harmony", which is being coordinated by Turkey.

Washington's interests in the Black Sea region proceeds from vital necessity: The Black Sea includes straits of Bosporus and Dardanelles, which are being actively manipulated by Turkey for his interests. Azerbaijan's inclusion and Turkey's dominant role in this project are meant for weakening Russia's influence in the Black Sea region and are one of US's efficient tools in more active anti-Russian policy in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. And finally, this is a way for Central Asia to Western markets. It is also worth mentioning that the Black Sea region is viewed by Iran as a channel to export his gas and oil. Alongside, geographical closeness can make Iran an easier target for warplanes, which will have opportunity to take off from airports of the region.

Naturally the main goal of the United States is to change the balance of powers towards his side and decrease Russia's influence over the region in economic, political and military spheres. The other goal is integration of countries, which emerged after USSR's collapse, in NATO. However the greatest threats in the region are conflicts. Caucasus and the Black Sea are in the region of emerging and developing conflicts: conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia and Ossetia.

They all are subjects of attention in the light of Russian-Turkish relations. In 1992-1993 calls for military interference in the Nagorno Karabakh conflicts were becoming more and more stronger in Ankara. Commander of CIS Armed Forces marshal Evgeni Shaposhnikov then stated that it will mean World War 3. Turkish Primes Minister of those times Suleiman Demirel said "Turkey's interference in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in favor of Azerbaijan will incite the Soviet Army against Turkey". It is worth mentioning that during meetings in Moscow and Ankara the Nagorno Karabakh problem always is being viewed from the viewpoint to provide stability in the region. However, despite Turkey's all efforts, Moscow is not going to join Ankara to the OSCE Minsk Group, clearly realizing what it can threaten Armenia. It's interesting the U.S. speaks from similar positions. Turkeys participation in the settlement of the conflict not only will upset the fragile balance of powers in the region, but also may provoke new military actions. Feeling "brotherly" support, Azerbaijan may seriously set to "settlement of the conflict", which ultimately will cost one dear both for Azerbaijan and Turkey.