ArmInfo.Both Yerevan and Baku consider the problem around Nagorno-Karabakh through the prism of retaining power. This opinion was expressed in an interview with the Armenian service of the Voice of America by the former interim co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group from the United States Richard Hoagland, referring to the latest escalation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border.
"I am closely following the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, since in 2017 I served as the OSCE MG interim co-chair from the United States. The peculiarity of these clashes is that the use of force did not take place on the contact line of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani troops, but in a different place. (on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border - ed. note) Why did this happen? I think this is a question that no one has an answer to. I talked with many experts, but no one has yet an answer why the tension occurred on the international border. " the diplomat said. To clarify whether this was a planned action or whether everything happened spontaneously, Hoagland expressed his conviction that it was hardly an accident, since in case there were accidental shots, there is a means of communication through which one can establish contact and try to clarify the situation, which did not happen. "One thing is obvious, it is not clear which side started the provocation. But, it must be stated that this is a convenient time, since all countries are busy with their own problems due to a new type of coronavirus pandemic," the American diplomat said.
When asked what the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs can do to avoid such incidents in the future, and how proportionate their reaction was, Hoagland informed that he had held an informal conversation with the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk and added that Kasprzyk's office is now unable to monitor conflict zone. "But, the current situation is fundamentally different from the previous ones. The Minsk mediators have made serious efforts to de-escalate the situation and return the status quo. But, I believe that the Minsk mediators cannot solve this problem until there is no will of the parties," he said. At the same time, he proposed to submit the issue to the UN as a solution, and transfer Artsakh to the UN protectorate for some time until the passions subside and the parties are ready for concessions.
Speaking about dissatisfaction with the mediation activities of the co-chairs, Hoagland stated that even with the best intentions, in the absence of assistance from the states involved in the conflict and such a power as Russia, the OSCE Minsk Group simply cannot solve this problem. He recalled the presence of 4 UN Security Council resolutions on the Karabakh issue, the so-called Madrid principles, which offer some solutions. "Even Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that until then the parties are not ready to resolve this issue on the basis of mutual compromises, this situation will continue, and in which, unfortunately, civil society may be involved," the American diplomat said.
Referring to the role of Russia in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Hoagland said that it would be irresponsible to claim that Russia is the cause of this conflict. "Nevertheless, if we stop and look back, we will see a number of obvious circumstances. First, Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that the collapse of the USSR was the biggest catastrophe of the last century. He periodically declares that the countries of the post-Soviet space, including both Armenia and Azerbaijan, are in the special zone of attention of Russia. We can conditionally call this zone a privileged one, and where there are many unresolved conflicts. My personal opinion is that if Russia really wanted to resolve this conflict, it would probably take more active steps in this direction ", said the American diplomat.
Speaking about the role of Turkey in the settlement and its benefits, Hoagland pointed to the absence of any evidence of Turkey's direct involvement in the Karabakh conflict. "Of course, we all know that Azerbaijan and Turkey are close allies, but Armenia and Russia are also allies. There are other actors in the region who may benefit from this situation. I would like to repeat that a compromise can be reached only if when the leaderships of the two countries, official Yerevan and Baku, announce that the time has come to solve the problem, but unfortunately both Yerevan and Baku consider the problem in the prism of retaining power. There are also communities that have an even more radical position than the authorities. Incidents between representatives of the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in Los Angeles and on the streets of Moscow are evidence of my words. And this all leads to even greater problems, "Hoagland said.
When asked to assess the Turkish-Azerbaijani military exercises, and Russia's verification of the combat readiness of troops in the Southern Military District, the American diplomat pointed to the danger of such exercises, which signals that neither side is ready for mutual concessions. "The danger lies in the fact that the situation could get out of control," he said, adding that one must be careful, because if this local conflict flares up and grows, it could involve Russia and Turkey, which in turn will cause Iran's concern.