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Azerbaijani political scientistsâ€™ views on Russiaâ€™s recognizing independence of separatist South Ossetia and Abkhazia - OPINION

Azerbaijani political scientistsâ€™ views on Russiaâ€™s recognizing independence of separatist South Ossetia and Abkhazia - <font color=red>OPINION </font>

25 August 2008 12:02 (UTC +04:00)

He said that John McCainâ€™s positions were strengthening in the US elections and he supported more severe treatment of Russia. On the other hand, the US Navy is already in the Black Sea.
â€œThe navy will patronize Georgia and Ukraine and will never be withdrawn from the Black Sea. Russians have to know this. The European Union will discuss the issue on applying sanctions against Russia in September,â€ he said.

Vafa Guluzadeh considers that Russiaâ€™s recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia will have no impact on Azerbaijan.
â€œRussia has anyway occupied 20 percent of our territories, and does not recognize Nagorno Karabakh as a separatist regime. Russia has de facto recognized Nagorno Karabakhâ€™s independence,â€ he said.

Political Scientist Ilgar Mammadov said the statement of Council of Federation was not recognition of South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence. â€œIt is only address to the president, but not an official recognition. On the other hand, if Russia recognizes independence of these bodies it will be isolated in the international arena. More than 30 countries recognized Kosovo at once, but only two or three countries will recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia and therefore Russia will be isolated in the international arena, which is out of its interests. The evaluation of this situation will take a timeâ€.

Political Scientist Gabil Huseynli noted that Russia created basis for very dangerous precedent. He said this step was contrary to the international law. â€œRussia tries to annex the territories it seized as a result of aggression. Independences of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are out of the question. Before Russia used the crawling annexation process in both territories and made 90-95 per cent of population its citizens and embezzled these territories. And now Russia tries to legalize these processes, but canâ€™t do it because Russia voted for the Georgiaâ€™s territorial integrity for many times.

Political Scientist Rasim Musabeyov said that Russia used the situation and raised the issue up to the level of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. â€œIt is very risky. There is no doubt that the issue will become headache for Russia. But it seems they think to make this decision, which can create tensions within CIS. On the other hand I think 4-5 countries â€“ Syria, Cuba, Belarus and Venezuela can support the South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence. Russia is not able to achieve more supportâ€.
Musabeyov considers that Russia intends to strength its positions with this step.