US State Secretary's Statement on Karabakh Conflict: What Can We Conclude?

• 10.08.2017, 17:38
• Liana Hovhannisyan
•  America,  "Insight" Analytical Center ,  World,  NKR

The other day the US State Secretary Rex Tillerson came up with a statement on the Karabakh conflict, which highlighted the necessity of steps aimed at building trust among the conflicting sides. In response to the inquiry by the US Congressman Brad Sherman and  David Cicilline, Tillerson expressed the State Department's support for Artsakh peace proposals, advanced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel calling for the non-deployment of snipers, increased border monitors, and the placement of gunfire locator systems.

One can draw several important conclusions from such a statement by the high level US official.

As a the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, the US tries to show that it, first of all, prioritizes the necessity of building the atmosphere of trust  among the conflicting sides, in case of which it will be only possible to speak about further success on the negotiation table. Such a stance is in parallel with the stance often voiced by the Armenian sides, that it is impossible to succeed on the negotiation table, when the shots are being heard on the borders, which result in human casualties from both sides.  

Of particular interest is also the fact, that in his statement Tillerson especially underlines the importance of de-mining works and expresses the US committeemen to continue cooperation in this direction. It proves that the US, as a co-chairing state, tries to pay special attention to the humanitarian aspect of the conflict, highlighting the need to ensure the security of the people residing in the conflicting zone. Indeed, the conflict can never get a final resolution, unless the security of the population in Artsakh is insured.

Finally, we should also emphasize the fact that such a response by Tillerson, which is a result of the targeted work by the US congressmen, is another proof of the fact that the Armenian sides should continue to deepen the deliberate cooperation of the US at different levels, including also the cooperation at the level of congressmen. It will give an opportunity to enlarge the number of our partners at different levels, who in case of necessity, will be able to present and to make our stance on various aspects of the conflict utmost perceivable.