Tatiana Poloskova: Russia cannot afford to lose friends in Azerbaijan Interview with Vestnik Kavkaza

Peaceful protest of Azerbaijani eco-activists against the damage caused to the ecology and property of Azerbaijan by the illegal extraction of minerals in the zone of temporary deployment of Russian peacekeepers continues on the Shusha-Khankendi road. All this time, the RPC is blocking the Lachin corridor, while the protesters are letting passing cars through. Meanwhile, Armenia is trying to present the situation as a humanitarian crisis. Vestnik Kavkaza talked with Tatiana Poloskova, Doctor of Political Sciences, First class State Advisor of the Russian Federation, member of the Closed Club of Intellectual, Business, and Political Elite of the Roscongressclub, about how the solution to the entire complex of Karabakh problems will affect ensuring peace in the South Caucasus.

- First of all, from the legal point of view, do Azerbaijani NGOs have the right to visit the RPC temporary deployment zone, of course, if they are accompanied and secured by peacekeepers?

- I do not remember that in the signed trilateral agreement between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia it was stated somewhere that Azerbaijani citizens have no right to visit territories temporarily under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Especially if we are talking about the missions of non-governmental organizations. They should inform the peacekeepers. Peacekeepers can accompany them to ensure security. But there is no such point that would stipulate putting up barriers and preventing access to the area.

This involuntarily suggests that such vigilance towards representatives of the Azerbaijani public is not due to the fact that they were mistaken for militants. Is there something to hide? Representatives of NGOs came to monitor not the condition of barracks and armories, but quite open objects. I believe that the Russian side, on the contrary, is interested in showing openness and striving for dialogue.

I think additional political studies should be carried out for the military personnel who allowed themselves to interfere with the work of the Azerbaijani media in the incident zone and even in a rather rude form. Including reminding them that in Russia, for example, there is criminal liability for such actions.

And I also want to remind you that the military should treat the civilian local population, which is located on its territory, and not in a certain "zone of occupation", politely and with restraint. They should not create dangerous precedents. Especially since there have already been examples, such as in Panama.

Of course, in our case we are not talking about a military base, but about a temporary peacekeeping force. But I will allow myself, nevertheless, to compare these situations. It was after the conflict with the local population, which ended with the shooting of students and schoolchildren who, according to the American military, showed excessive curiosity about the military base, that the US presence in this country in the form of military facilities ended.

Russia now cannot afford to lose the rest of its friends. The geopolitical situation is different.

- How will the work of our peacekeepers in Karabakh be facilitated by the full withdrawal of the Armenian illegal armed groups from there?

- Even the Russian community of Azerbaijan, a very respected organization, is calling on Russia to support the early withdrawal of the Armenian illegal armed groups (which should have happened a long time ago, by the way), but they are still there. Again, it means that for some of the players, the presence of these gangs there is beneficial.

From my experience of business trips to so-called hot spots (for example, I spent almost two years intermittently in Syria), I know that the illegal armed gangs are least concerned about maintaining peace and harmony. They are usually there for drug trafficking, arms sales, "accompaniment" of criminal activity, and the like.

But the head of this Kraken is not in Karabakh. It is possible to understand if there is desire and political will. The devil is not so black as he is painted.

- How will the withdrawal of Armenian illegal armed groups from Karabakh affect the Armenian-Azerbaijani processes?

In my opinion, the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the activities of the illegal armed groups in Karabakh are two parallel lines. The illegal armed gangs are a bloody business, their leaders and patrons from different spheres, including political power, use the themes of protection of people's rights, religions, Amazonian turtles, and Amur tigers for other purposes.

What useful things have these armed groups done for Karabakh? And for the same Syria, which is now split into three parts? In the next few months, I will be publishing a book based on materials I received while in Damascus, Latakia, Homs, and Tartus: "Syrian Diaries". The book contains an analysis of the consequences of the activities of some of the illegal armed groups in Syria, and there may be interesting parallels with the situation in Karabakh.

The sooner Karabakh is liberated from these illegal armed groups, the sooner stability will come there. And I cannot help noting that Azerbaijan would have coped with this task long ago on its own.

- In your opinion, when or after what event could the return of the Azerbaijani population of Karabakh to their homes begin? Could Russian peacekeepers assist in this process?

- I will be able to answer this question only after visiting Karabakh and conducting monitoring there, at least in the form of an expert survey. I recognize only field studies - I very much respect the opinion of my colleagues, and I always take it into account, but I like to study the problem and draw conclusions myself.

I am planning such a trip. I think that the Azerbaijani authorities will give me all possible assistance and certainly will not hinder me. Karabakh was and remains Azerbaijani territory, and of course, I will coordinate such a study with the Azerbaijani side.

Of course, I would like to see the return of the Azerbaijani population to their homes as soon as possible. Especially since Karabakh needs an influx of professionals for its economic and cultural development. This land has already suffered much. Karabakh has definitely returned to its native harbor.

Vestnik Kavkaza