Russia and West: the racing game

Every time when some events directly or indirectly affect the interests of our country, our analysts start to burst out emotional and analytically doubtful comments, instead of consistent and calm analysis.

This time our political scientists have become anxious with the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Moscow. They started to put forward proposals that probably we are moving towards Russia and, in the result, we do not proceed towards the West. This naive logics could have contained amusing things, if they have not been voiced by the journalists, whom I personally consider to be philosophers.

When I read the works of Morris Druon, I lost any interest to conspiralogic theories. I think it is inadmissible to think that we will be seized by anyone, when the protection and defense of the vital interests of our country is obvious and when multi-directional and balanced policy is fruitful. Why should we think so? Do only the authors of these forecasts read about or watch the world processes? Or do only the respected political scientists know that a unilateral policy leads a country to a deadlock, regardless of whose side you have taken?

The theories of our reported intention to side the Kremlin, as Moscow ignores the situation with democracy, are absurd. Did Dick Cheney, who visited our capital recently, picket our presidential administration in connection with democracy? Or perhaps Nicholas Sarkozy and Gordon Brown send messages to each others in connection with any of our problems every day after breakfast?

Should we consider Saakashvili's policy and conduct to be an example for us? What has he gained? Can't we understand the difference between effectiveness and showiness?

Today Russia is able to hold the entire Europe in leash until there is alternative energy supplies. At the same time, it is not important whether a cubic meter of gas or a million of cubic meters are transported there. After the President of Azerbaijan launched the gas pipeline, which is pumping the gas to Greece, the situation has changed. The Kremlin realized that they are not the only suppliers and if there is an alternative gas pipe to Europe, this will mean that there is the only step left to the opening of a branchy gas infrastructure. This step is even not political but technical, which weakens Russia's influence on Europe and the entire world. It seems that for Russia it is a vital issue, while the alternative gas pipeline is of vital importance for the West.

And now we are witnessing that both western and Russian officials speak of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and call us good, wise and kind.

I do not even want to analyze the external policy of our country and the policy of our neighbors, which is unambiguous, just with different vectors. Some of them are oriented for the West and the others for the North.

Now I am speaking of effectiveness or of what has remained more effective in the historical realities. Should we be called a beacon of democracy, an outpost or maintain normal relations, preserve influence and (without any exaggeration) calmly influence destinies?

And also along with economic price there is another price, which is Karabakh.

It is clear that we will have to make a serious choice. Today the events are proceeding faster, so fast that Mr.Medvedev called our President at the moment when Mr.Cheney was visiting Baku...

Anar Mamedkhanov
Deputy of the Milli Medjlis of Azerbaijan