The Voice of Mirza Xazar

1 June 2001 NEWS BRIEFS Azerbaijan's President Heydar Aliev has apparently contradicted earlier reports in the local and international press concerning his approach to economic ties with Armenia. " ...They [the OSCE mediators] repeatedly suggested us to start economic cooperation with Armenia. They argue that this will help to solve the Karabakh problem. This is an illusion. Reality shows that this is impossible. I always said that without peace there will be no economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Armenia," Aliev told journalists at Baku airport on May 30 before his departure to attend the CIS summit in Minsk. President Aliev's statement about the controversial postponement of the Geneva talks is also of great interest. Heydar Aliev's statement that the Minsk meeting will determine whether the Geneva talks will take place or not, was very surprising. The decision to postpone Geneva meeting between President Aliev and Armenian President Robert Kocharian was made public by the OSCE Minsk Group and confirmed officcially by the Armenian president's office. But the statement made by the Azerbaijani president suggests that the fate of Geneva talks is not determined yet. Responding to accusations by some Armenian leaders that Azerbaijan is using "the language of war," Aliev said the issue of Karabakh is of great concern in Azerbaijan. "The opposition forces are trying to use this situation to call for the start of a war with Armenia. Most of population also in the mood that if we fail to solve this problem by peaceful means, we have to start a war," he said. But, according to Aliev, the Armenian side has also declared several times that they are ready to fight. "Therefore for me this is meaningless rhetoric. I believe these statements do not affect the overall negotiation process," Aliev said. On the other hand, President Aliev has endorsed an appeal by a group of prominent Azerbaijani intellectuals to solve the Karabakh problem by force. Two different and contradictory positions on one issue may sound puzzling, of course, but it shows the delicacy of the situation in which President Aliev finds himself: on the one hand, Heydar Aliev is reluctant to assume the historic responsibility (to make signficant concessions) and sign a peace accord with Armenia, and on the other hand, in an apparent attempt not to displease the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and to avoid any cconflict with them, he is supporting peace process. This contradictory policy may pay off for President Aliev morally and publicly, but it will not lead to a swift solution of the Karabakh conflict. The delay in reaching a solution to the conflict may displease the Minsk Group co-chairmen, but it would probably be welcomed by opposition parties and the radical wing of Azerbaijani society, who oppose any significant concessions in Karabakh issue. (Mirza Xazar) [RFE/RL] Azerbaijan Report, June 1, 2001