June 12, 2009 - 19:40 AMT
USA can be a potential moderator in NKR conflict settlement issue
Russia does not possess enough resources to act as a moderator in Armenian-Azeri relations, Russian politologist, National Strategy Institute founder Stanislav Belkovski stated.

According to him, despite Armenia and Azerbaijan are not refusing to meet through intermediary of Russia, it's mediation in NKR conflict settlement can't be effective. According to politologist, USA can be a potential moderator in this issue. "I believe, Turkey or EU could play a certain role, but still it would be less than USA's," he added.

"Turkey, which is ruled by Islamists, seeks to play a greater role in the region. In particular, Turkey is rapidly improving its ties with Armenia", noted the political scientist.
This also reflects its attempts to become a moderator in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

"Turkey is doomed to become one of the participants of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement strategy", concluded Belkovski.

As for Iran's capabilities as a mediator, Belkovski stated that it is yet too early to speak about it, as a global power like USA is not interested in it. "This is why Iran can influence Azerbaijan and Armenia only thorough some secret diplomacy or economy. Still, Iran won't manage to become a regional moderator," he noted.

"In near future, the situation with NKR conflict settlement will not be significantly changed. None of potential moderators can take a decisively pro- Azerbaijani or pro-Armenian position. Besides, absence of regional leader seriously affects the situation," Day.az cited Belkovski as saying.