Political scientist: Warlick’s statement not related to Karabakh conflict

The statement of the U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick shows the Unites States’ desire to be at the forefront in the South Caucasus and direct the processes along the desirable path, the political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazarian told reporters today.

According to him, in case of a possible resumption of the geopolitical conflict, the Unites States wants to expand the front, and in this context the Caucasus is viewed as a territory where Russia’s monopoly can be neutralized in favor of the U.S.

“So Warlick’s statement has little to do with the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict,” Melik-Shahnazarian said.

Commenting on the remark of Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volynkin about the need to ‘neutralize’ those Armenia-based NGOs that try to drive a wedge in Russian-Armenian relations, the political scientist said that no NGO is able to drive a wedge between the countries.

“The ambassador’s statement is unfounded. It was not a diplomatic statement. He should draw a lesson and try not to exceed his authority,” Melik-Shahnazarian said.