Conflict Resolution in South Caucasus by Jafarova Esmira;

Author:Jafarova, Esmira;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: undefined
Publisher: Lexington Books
Published: 2012-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Turkey’s Role in Conflict Resolution

Ever since Turkey has entered the turf of the South Caucasus, achievement of security and stability through the solution of lingering conflicts has been a priority. Attempting to raise its profile in the region Turkey embarked on overtures towards conflict resolution. It has repeatedly expressed support to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and Azerbaijan, two victims of separatism and territorial wars. Its role has been more prominent in regard to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict due to Turkey’s particular close relations with Azerbaijan. Nonetheless, in that connection Turkey often had to encounter the counterweighing influence of Russia, who pursued largely different objectives than those of Turkey. Iran, due to its close connections with Armenia and apprehension of Azerbaijan,[47] stands out as another power competing with Turkey within the region, but compared to Russia, Iran does not bear much leverage on the conduct and the likely outcome of the conflict resolution efforts.

As was noted above, Turkey fully supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and its position on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. In the early years of the conflict Turkish society and its politicians relayed mixed emotions to Azerbaijan’s plight, which had undergone foreign assault. Although Turkey’s unstinted support to its closest ally was not debatable, the measures that it had to undertake to prop up Azerbaijan were the subject for contention and generated apparent dithering in Turkish policy actions. Despite showcasing strong and overt support to Azerbaijan in its war with Armenia, this unrelenting vocal support did not transform into more concrete deeds. In the early years of the conflict Turkey initiated several mediation efforts with its diplomats, Foreign Minister Hikmet Chetin in particular, conducted shuttle diplomacy in the region and in some European countries. Turkey’s role also was essential in bringing the issue to the agenda of the CSCE and to the attention of Western leaders.[48]

Emotions hit the roof with the massacres committed by Armenian militias in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly on February 26, 1992, that involved the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians. This tragedy caused widespread outrage in Turkish society and intensified the calls for Turkey to step up in support of Azerbaijan, who was suffering defeat at the hands of Russia-supported Armenia. In May 1992 when there was a danger for Azerbaijani enclave Nakhchivan to also suffer from Armenian attacks, discussions on possible Turkish military intervention also took place in consideration of the provisions of the 1921 Kars Treaty between Turkey and Russia, which stipulated military intervention in support of Nakhchivan against any aggression. However, Russia’s opposition to such a likelihood and the threats of potential confrontation with the former in case Turkey undertakes military intervention, dissolved the realization of Turkey’s military prowess.[49]

Beyond the Russian factor, there were also other considerations behind Turkey’s holdback from military intervention in support of Azerbaijan. Svante Cornell outlines at least seven factors that restrained Turkey from military action.[50] However, the most conspicuous among them were the necessity to balance out Russia’s interests in the region alongside choosing the appropriate demeanor and self-restraint in view of Turkey’s NATO membership and obligations deriving from therein.

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