Placing Russian peacemakers in conflict zone causes Azerbaijani analysts' distrust

The presence of Russian peacemakers in the Karabakh conflict zone does not guarantee safety of forced migrants who will return to their villages in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, Azerbaijani analysts believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 10, an agreement between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia on the cessation of the hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh came into force. According to the reached agreement, the Russian peacemakers are deployed along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the corridor connecting it with Armenia.

The settlement plan of the Karabakh conflict, contained in the joint statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, means a return to the situation that developed in late 1980s-early 1990s, Igbal Agazade, the head of the "Umid" (Hope) Party, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Then, despite the advance of Soviet troops, the Azerbaijani villages surrounded by Armenian dwelling settlements were attacked. As a result, all that led to the fact that, with the connivance of the units of the Soviet Army, from the end of 1991, Azerbaijanis began being expelled from settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the Khojaly tragedy occurred. The current settlement plan envisages Azerbaijanis' return to their native places; however, the issue of their security remains open, as they will return to the zones where the Russian militaries stay," Mr Agazade has stated.

Akif Nagi, the head of the organization for Karabakh liberation, is also concerned about the deployment of Russian peacemakers. "We have negative experience, when in the region Soviet militaries performed the role of peacemakers or security guarantors. Then the Azerbaijani forces periodically faced threats and attacks with the connivance of the Soviet Army," Mr Nagi told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "Now, the presence of Russian peacemakers will allow Armenians to have a respite, re-arm and prevent the return of Azerbaijanis to Nagorno-Karabakh settlements, as well as unleash a new war against Azerbaijan," Akif Nagi has concluded.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 11, 2020 at 09:36 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.