March 19, 2008 - 16:03 AMT
Karabakh issue considered in UN not for democracy reasons
The UN vote and adoption of the Azerbaijani resolution was given various interpretations. Baku rates support of 39 states to diplomatic success and opportunity to draw the Karabakh process out of the 'exclusive supervision' of the OSCE Minsk Group. Armenia holds a different opinion," said Sergei Markedonov, head of the Interethnic Relations Department at the Institute of Political and Military Analysis in Moscow.

"The UN considered the Karabakh issue not for democracy reasons. After all, Azerbaijan is not an ideal democracy. The states which supported Azerbaijan - the OIC countries and Turkey - also have problems with democracy. Three OSCE MG co-chair states - France, Russia and U.S. (the list also includes Armenia, Angola, India and Vanuatu) strongly opposed the document. The opinion of the powers immediately dealing with the conflict settlement can't be brushed aside. India can't be neglected either," he said.

"The resolution gained support from Muslim states. World powers like China, Germany, UK and Brazil abstained. The refusal of OSCE MG to support Azerbaijan was criticized by Azeri politicians and diplomats, who spoke of inefficiency of the Minsk Group," Markedonov said, Politcom.ru reports.