ANTI-KARABAKHI STATEMENTS OF MOSCOW CAUSE ANTI-RUSSIAN ATTITUDE IN ARMENIA AND KARABAKH
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Friday, 16 September 2005
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Pyotr Burdikin, temporary representative of Russia in Azerbaijan, advised mass media of Baku not to pay serious attention to the conference held in Moscow. He said that the delegations of internationally unacknowledged states participated in the conference.
"Parallel CIS. Abkhazia, Transdniestria, South Ossetia and Nagorno Karabakh as Post Soviet Reality" conference was held in Moscow, on September 13-16. It was organized by the state universities of the unrecognized republics and Konstatin Zatulin, chairman of CIS Affairs Committee at RF State Duma, Chairman of CIS Affairs Institute.
The Russian diplomat stated in Baku that the conference aimed at informing the Russian political figures about the current situation in the unacknowledged territories. "The attention paid to the conference in Azerbaijan contributes to the PR of the arrangement. The conference has nothing common with the unacknowledged republics," Pyotr Burdikin said.
Various Russian officials have been making complex and offensive statements about Karabakh and Armenia. Very often Yerevan paid no attention to them, probably, taking into account the size of our country and other factors. Recently, anti-Armenian statements became frequent in the Kremlin circles. Few months ago, RF Foreign Ministry condemned the parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh that were much more independent and fair than the Russian presidential elections.
The abovementioned anti-Armenian statements create anti-Russian attitude in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and make harm to the Russian-Armenian relations. As a result, one may suppose that pro-American and Euro-Atlantic influence will grow both in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Unlikely our strategic partner Russia, who merely "kills" Armenia for $1 million of debt, the US renders more and more aid both to Armenia and NKR.
Russia managed to purchase a number of Armenian companies of strategic importance against the debt amounting to $100 million. Yet, Moscow annulled $ 4 billion of debt of Syria, which is no strategic partner for Russia.
Yerevan and Stepanakert should respond to the unfriendly actions of Moscow. Certainly, we dont mean diplomatic war. For example, Stepanakert refuse participating in the conference organized by Zatulin, and in many others to come.
Kremlin keeps stating that they recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, doesnt accept NKR de facto leadership, but cant help supporting Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdniestria and obviously interfering with the local elections and inner political processes.
The international community stated in many revues that NKR and Nagorno Karabakh conflict greatly differ from the three others in the post Soviet area. Thats why, taking into account this very factor, Stepanakert should avoid participating in arrangements dedicated to these three unrecognized republics. The international press has very frequently stated that "secessionist regimes" rule Sukhumi, Tskhinvali and Tiraspole.
We should keep away from Abkhazia and Ossetia, especially for the sake of Armenian-Georgian relations. Although Georgia isnt considered our strategic partner but taking into account the current situation, as well as geographical position of our country, Tbilisi is of no less importance than Moscow for us.
Its worth mentioning that Stepanakert policy of keeping aside from Abkhazia and South Ossetia is appreciated in Tbilisi. Georgia made no comments on the latest elections of local self-governing bodies, as well as the parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh.
By Tatoul Hakobian
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