An Attempt is Made to Blame Armenian Sides for the Break of Negotiations

• 10.15.2015, 09:16
•  Region,  "Insight" Analytical Center ,  Analytics

The borders of Armenia and Artsakh continue to be under fire by the Azerbaijani side. As it is known, during the last few days the ceasefire regime was violated 400 times. NKR Defense Army reports that the opponent’s attacks have been suppressed. Fortunately there have been no victims.

In the face of this, the OSCE Minsk group US Co-Chair comes up with an interesting statement. Speaking about Co-Chairs’ plan to visit the region to make necessary arrangements for the meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, James Warlick added that recognition of Arsakh can result in the Azerbaijan’s military dangerous response, which, according to the Co-Chair, will break the negotiation process. It is interesting to mention that the other day OSCE Minsk Group US ex Co-Chair Matthew Bryza expressed similar opinion. In his interview to one of the Azerbaijan news agencies, he particularly noted: "Recognition of NK by RA will suspend Minsk Group conflict settlement process". If we follow this logic it turns out that in case the peace process is broken, the whole responsibility is to lie on the Armenian sides.

It is difficult to say in this case we deal with the carelessness of the US current and ex Co-Chairs or with deliberate misreading. Perhaps it is necessary to draw Co-Chairs’ attention to the fact that in the statement made by RA President and Foreign Minister it is stated: "to recognize independence of NKR in case military operations start." And God forbid, if military operations start in Artsakh it will automatically mean that the peaceful settlement process of the conflict no longer exists.

Thus instead of conceding to false perceptions, the present situation should make the Co-Chairs find ways to realize their mission in a more productive way. The OSCE Co-Chairs have a mandate which clearly states the OSCE Minsk group objectives. The document particularly states that  in their activities the co-chairs should  "promote a resolution of the conflict without use of force." The first task of the co-chairs is "to make joint efforts in order to strengthen ceasefire." Judging from the situation on the borders, it seems that the Co-Chairs are not so successful in realizing this important component of their mission. It is obvious that throughout the whole process of negotiations the mediators were not able to make Azerbaijan get rid of its opportunity to use the threat of starting war for the sake of extortion. And it is hard to say that Azerbaijan’s continuous  use of this tool more freely was unpredictable. It is hard to say either, that closing eyes on aggressive rhetoric and actions of the Azerbaijani side and somehow encouraging them by artificially neutral statements would not  result in the Azerbaijan’s present behavior.

Thus before trying to find guilty ones for negotiations that are almost in a deadlock, it seems that mediators need first of all be more attentive towards the consequences of their actions  and be able to take more substantial responsibility for their actions.