Snipers fuel tension along contact line
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis today expressed concern over growing tensions in Karabakh.
Political scientist Stepan Grigoryan shares Azubalis's concerns and says the sides should do their utmost to promote an atmosphere of confidence and trust.
"Armenia can find a common language with Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. However, no agreement can be reached unless there is confidence between the sides," Mr. Grigoryan told A1+.
"People are repeatedly killed and injured on the contact line. To build up confidence the sides should take definite measures. First of all, they should withdraw snipers from the line of contact as their presence heats up the atmosphere. Every time Armenia expresses readiness to remove snipers, Azerbaijan shows discontent," he stressed.
The international community realizes that it is Azerbaijan that fuels tension along the line of contact but they are always careful in their statements.
"The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs never mention the guilty side in their statements, though they openly hint at Azerbaijan. I think that they cannot observe neutrality all the time and should already pressurize Azerbaijan," said Grigoryan.
Speaking about Turkish President's decision to send an envoy to Armenia and ask Serzh Sargsyan to support Turkish nominee for the post of OSCE Secretary General, Stepan Grigoryan said, "As long as Turkey links Armenian-Turkish relations to the regulation of the Karabakh conflict, Armenia should display a rough stance on the issue. By voting against the Turkish nominee Armenia can thwart the elections."
The political scientist does not expect any breakthrough in Armenian-Turkish peace deal and Karabakh issue in 2011.
