U.S, Washington, Feb.8 / Trend N.Bogdanova /
'Reboot' of the U.S.-Russian relations should help reestablish stability in the South Caucasus region, U.S ex-ambassador to USSR Jack Matlock believes.
'Reboot' of the U.S.-Russian relations should help reestablish stability in the South Caucasus region, "but this will depend on the countries in the area and Russia more than on the United States," Special Assistant to the US President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for European and Soviet Affairs on the National Security Council Staff, from 1983 to 1986, Matlock told Trend .
Changes of the administration in the White House and President Obama's rise to power have led to a warming in relations between Moscow and Washington. The two leaders talked about the diplomatic "reboot" and the intent to engage in productive dialogue. For example, in September, Barack Obama announced that the United States refuse to deploy elements of missile defense system in Eastern Europe, and Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia is ready if necessary to support sanctions against Iran, advocated by the United States.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
He believes concentrating on common, the U.S. and Russian strategic interests, the U.S. and Russia should be able to avoid the appearance of geopolitical competition in the Caspian-Black Sea area and thus, serve the interests of peace in the region.
"It is tragic that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has not been resolved yet," he said. " But, only Armenians and Azerbaijanis can solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through establishing conditions for all nationalities to live in peace in their place of birth."
Estimating the influence of the Turkey-Armenia normalization on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Mr. Matlock mentioned that, "peace will come to the region only if the political leaders look to the future and transcend the hostilities and prejudices of the past".
The Former US ambassador also touched one regional problem.
"I do not believe that Russia will be a threat to Georgia, if Georgia refrains from force in dealing with its minorities and concentrates on building its economy rather than attempting to restore its military power," he added.
Aug. 8, 2008, large-scale military action began in the breakaway republic of South Ossetia. The Georgian troops entered Tskhinvali. Later Russia's troops occupied the city and drove the Georgian military to the territory of Georgia. In late August, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In response, Tbilisi severed diplomatic relations with Moscow and declared the two breakaway republics as the occupied territories.
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