Odd Azeri logic or commotion in Karabakh settlement

November 16, 2011 - 21:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Over 10 OSCE Minsk Group member states seek active involvement in the settlement of Karbakh conflict, the vice- speaker of Azeri parliament Bakhar Muradova stated, noting Baku’s support for the initiative.

Clearly, involvement of countries which had no previous experience in Karabakh settlement, as opposed to Russia, France and U.S., will confuse the process, serving as a major throwback to further protract the conflict.

Azerbaijan, which never stops weaponry purchase, still hopeful to resume the war, will be the only side to benefit from the situation.

However, Azerbaijan continues its illogical line, with Muradova’s statement running counter to her previous remarks. In reply to urges of removing France as OSCE MG co-chair, she noted, “any change of co-chairmanship format will delay the settlement. The EU or other international organizations, capable of affecting the negotiation process, will be able to do it without replacing France. Its replacement isn’t essential. Over the past period, the 3 co-chairing countries gained the necessary experience. Replacement of a co-chair with a country, unaware of the situation, will complicate the situation.”

The vice- speaker seems to be having trouble with deciding whether Baku needs involvement of a dozen of countries in Karbakh settlement or is concerned over the replacement of even one co-chair. In short, Azerbaijan keeps jumping out of the frying-pan into the fire, trying to present itself as a supporter of a rapid settlement of Karabakh issue, while secretly working to protract the conflict.

“Involvement of other countries and structures in Karabakh settlement will trigger further diplomatic commotion,” Strategic Studies Institute deputy director general, political analyst Andrey Areshev said. And a commotion of that scale will take a long time to dispel.