'French Senate’s decision to toughen situation in S.Caucasus'

France’s decision is not a well-advised step from political point of view, said Alexei Vlasov, Russian analyst, editor-in-chief of the Vestnik Kafkaza Information agency, vice-dean of the faculty of history of Moscow State University named after Lomonosov.

“The decision of the French Senate will first of all have negative impact on Turkey-Armenia talks, make the situation even more tense. The protocols signed in Zurich have not yet been ratified by the Turkish parliament. Secondly, it will make the situation tense in the South Caucasus, particularly around Nagorno Karabakh. This is not the time for such a step. Everybody knows that Baku will support Ankara’s position. Europe’s position on this decision is not unambiguous, either. This seems to be the project of Sarkozy. It is a little bit difficult to understand this step of his. I think, the reason of Sarkozy’s step will be known after a while,” he said.

Vlasov believes in connection with the pre-election processes in Russia, for the time being the Duma can not pass a decision similar to the one passed by the French Senate. “I think it is not right to make the Russian voter a hostage of the forcibly adopted issues. Professional historians, not the politicians should deal with history. This issue should be discussed beyond the political speculations,” he noted.

Turkey has offered Armenia to investigate the archives jointly. But Armenians have not agreed. There are historical facts that should be discussed, but no political assessment should be given to these facts. Despite all this, the French Senate passed the bill. It is very bad that it was done under the pressure of the lobby. Along with Armenian lobby, there is Azerbaijani lobby in Russia, too. The next anniversary of Khojaly tragedy will be marked in February. Like every year the Azerbaijani Diaspora will hold commemorate events in Russia.


/APA/