In principle, the ambiguity can also be explained by wrong punctuation. However, it must be admitted that the Russian variant gives a more realistic assessment of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, rather than the English one. But the point is not that we meet “occupied territories” in one variant, which is missing in the other, or “its population” instead of “population”. All these are trifles, which are intended to give the conflicting parties an opportunity to interpret the statements in favor or against themselves. And so, per se, the mountain once again brought forth a mouse, quod erat demonstrandum (which was to be proved). The statement of the US, Russian and French Presidents once again showed how the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states hold different official positions. For example, VOA News calls the Karabakh people separatists, while neither Russia nor France go so far. The U.S. position, as always, is clear and transparent: oil, gas and everything associated with them. But how can this accord with the fact that Russia bought up all the Azerbaijani gas and is not going to share it with anyone. The result is a vicious circle: the U.S. wants to solve problems, Russia and France too, all of them fail. And they fail because once again everything is built on false premises and incorrect data.

Unfortunately, Washington knows only a military way of regulating a conflict. However, when it comes to Karabakh, Barack Obama cannot blame Stepanakert in developing weapons of mass destruction, nuclear program or transportation of drugs. This is not Iraq or Afghanistan. However, Baku, together with Ankara, will try to gamble on the mythical camps and bases of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), but no one, even the authors themselves, believe these tales. So Obama will not be able to think of a pretext for a military solution, especially since he won’t be allowed to. By and large, under the current president the U.S. is rapidly losing its power in the world and few people are moved by the statements on democracy and other similar nonsense. Failure of the Middle East reconciliation once again proved the inability of Washington politicians to adequately respond to the situation. Meanwhile, the advent of Barack Obama and the removal of threat of Islamic terrorism from the national security doctrine of the U.S. makes us ask ourselves: “who is Obama is after all?” This question has a direct relation to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, because no one, openly supporting Hamas and “condemning” Israel, can be on the side of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Under the current state of affairs the position of Russia is much more honest, if the expression may be tolerated. Perhaps the reason is that there is South Ossetia and Abkhazia, who knows? Alas, in this case France plays the role of an extra. The EU limits itself to general statements, but let us be grateful even for that.

Reverting to the statement of the presidents, let us note that, most likely, the differences in the texts were agreed in advance. It is impossible that one and the same text be so different in different languages. Most likely, the American variant is calculated for Ilham Aliyev, and the Russian variant for Armenia. It’s easy to guess what conclusion all this will have: a visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers at the OSCE summit in Kazakhstan, possible meeting of the Presidents, during which Aliyev will not be allowed to slam the door, as good things come in small packages. NGOs will be drawing up projects on “confidence-building measures”, while the Azeri society in its hatred towards the Armenians will reach the highest point... and it's fearsome to think where and how this aggression, cherished for decades, may splash out.

Regional countries, especially Turkey and Iran, will try to join the OSCE, while the conflict will remain unsettled, and in 20-30 years no one will remember the lands or the refugees, provided that the Aliyev clan departs from life. If not, the future of Azerbaijan is quite dim, no matter what the Aliyev agitprop says.