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<TITLE>Hassan A. Hassanov</TITLE>
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<CENTER><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+3">The
Security of Azerbaijan as Part of the</FONT></FONT></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+3">Common
European Security</FONT></FONT></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+2">Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Hassan A. Hassanov</FONT></FONT></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER>
<H4><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">AZERBAIJAN AND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF EUROPEAN SECURITY</FONT></FONT></B></H4> </CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Geopolitical realities at
the end of the 20th century, including the USSR's dissolution and the end
of the Warsaw Pact, have created a real possibility for expanding
interaction and integration between countries of the Euro-Atlantic
territory. World bipolarity, confrontation, and the Cold War have become
things of the past. The behavior of any state within the international
arena must remain within the bounds of civilized international relations.</FONT></FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The Republic of Azerbaijan
has consistently followed this new-order line in its foreign policy,
particularly as it relates to progressive integration into Euro-Atlantic
political and economic structures, which is one of the main directions of
its foreign policy. Azerbaijan, as an integral part of Europe, subscribes
to fundamental European values: a secularist society, democracy, respect
for human rights, the rule of law, and a market economy.</FONT></FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">We are currently striving
to broaden cooperation with European and transatlantic partners, including
on a multinational basis. In our opinion, turning these efforts into a
progressive course toward a stable democracy, respect for international
legal norms, and a counter against threats aimed at undermining peace and
security can be achieved only by joint efforts within the framework of
international structures. Freedom, democracy, and cooperation among
nations and peoples are the major foundation for a common and
comprehensive security for Europe in the 21st century.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">But the transformation of
the geopolitical situation in Europe and the drive to build civilized
international relations have come up against forces that are reluctant to
accept the persistent "winds of change" that are blowing across
Europe. These forces have posed a serious threat to the establishment of a
stable security environment in modern Europe. While Europe has avoided
nuclear missile disaster, it continues to confront new challenges to the
world community, such as local wars and conflicts created by aggressive
separatism and militant nationalism that cause death and other serious
consequences.</FONT></FONT> <BR> </P>
<CENTER><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">THE
ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI CONFLICT IN THE CONTEXT OF</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<CENTER><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">THE EUROPEAN
SECURITY ARCHITECTURE</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">One of the longest
conflicts in the newly restructured Europe is the conflict that resulted
from the direct aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic
of Azerbaijan, when Azerbaijani territories were annexed by force. As a
result of this aggression, 20% of Azerbaijan lands are occupied by the
armed forces of the Republic of Armenia; more than 30,000 people were
killed, 200,000 wounded, and 4,000 became prisoners of war; and more than
1 million Azerbaijani people--15% of the country's population--have become
refugees or displaced persons suffering in tent camps.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The international
community has made efforts to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and
sees the way out of the conflict situation on the basis of the three
principles, supported at the OSCE Lisbon Summit by all OSCE member-states
except the Republic of Armenia:</FONT></FONT> </P>
<UL>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan and Armenia.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">legal status of
Nagorno-Karabakh in the form of self-rule within Azerbaijan.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">guaranteed security for
the whole population of Nagorno-Karabakh.</FONT></FONT></LI>
</UL>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">We call upon the Republic
of Armenia to accept these principles. This would make it possible to
start the settlement process and to reach real results. Azerbaijan
supports a peaceful settlement of the conflict within the OSCE Minsk
Group. Therefore, the issue of peacekeeping by the OSCE, as one of the
main structures of the European security architecture, is of utmost
importance for us.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<CENTER>
<H4><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">AZERBAIJAN IN THE
EUROPEAN SECURITY ARCHITECTURE</FONT></FONT></B></H4></CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Strengthening security
across all of Europe is vital and important for Azerbaijan. We consider
the peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict as an
integral part of the European security process, and rely on the
cooperation and support of the European community.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">In Lisbon, heads of state
and government of OSCE member-states unanimously adopted the Declaration
on a Common and Comprehensive Security Model for Europe for the
Twenty-first Century in which they determined "to translate the
vision of a cooperative future into reality by creating a common security
space free of dividing lines in which all states are equal partners."
We share in this joint approach to the European security architecture, one
based on democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, the
rule of law, a market economy, social justice without domination, mutual
confidence, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The OSCE
member-states have also committed "not to support participating
states that threaten or use force in violation of international law
against the territorial integrity or political independence of any
participating state," and "to consult promptly--in conformity
with the OSCE responsibilities and making full use of the OSCE's
procedures and instruments--with a participating state whose security is
threatened and to consider jointly actions that may have to be undertaken
in defense of our common values."</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">There is no doubt that the
future of European security depends mainly on further strengthening
stability through conventional arms control and maintaining only such
military capabilities as are commensurate with legitimate individual or
collective security needs, with adherence to rights and obligations under
international law. I would like to express Azerbaijan's position on
different issues that are under consideration as the security model
develops:</FONT></FONT> </P>
<UL>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The comprehensive
security model for Europe should be considered the <I>modus operandi</I>
for states within the framework of OSCE, rather than as a new structure.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Security in Europe must
be provided by enhancing existing OSCE principles and through the use of
materials and means already available.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">It would be
counterproductive to create new structures or turn OSCE into an "umbrella
construction" housing regional organizations.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Turning international
activity of OSCE states into cooperation between regional organizations
will have undesirable political consequences.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The concept of a
division of labor looks very doubtful as far as regional organizations
are concerned; it appears to be a mask behind which the intention to
divide the transatlantic region into zones and spheres of influence can
hide. Such division would inevitably lead to confrontation.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">States should be able
to cooperate on an individual basis as well as within the framework of
regional organizations. But regional organizations must not overshadow
sovereign states and restrict their rights.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Each case of possible
cooperation between OSCE and a regional institution should be separately
considered and determinations based on the decision on cooperation taken
by OSCE consensus as well as the decision made by the specific
institution.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">We think that OSCE
should carry out peacekeeping activities itself and delegating a
peacekeeping mandate of the OSCE to any other institution is
unacceptable. OSCE, as the all-European security organization, should
more actively use its potential in this regard."</FONT></FONT></LI>
</UL>
<CENTER><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">AZERBAIJAN'S
PARTICIPATION IN THE CFE TREATY</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<CENTER><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Participation on
the Flank Agreement</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">One of the basic elements
of all-European security is the CFE (Conventional Armed Forces in Europe)
Treaty. On May 16, 1997, after a series of talks, Azerbaijan decided to
accept the treaty's Flank Agreement. The Republic of Azerbaijan approved
the document agreed to by the states that were party to the CFE Treaty of
1990 under the following conditions:</FONT></FONT> </P>
<UL>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The document will not
be construed as providing any legal justification for holding TLE
(Treaty Limited Equipment) belonging to the Russian Federation on the
territory of other states party to the treaty, comprised within the
flank region, and will not be interpreted as conferring upon the Russian
Federation the right to locate TLE on the territory of those states
without freely expressed and duly legalized consent by the receiving
state.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Application of this
document must not lead to violation of the Tashkent Agreement on
Principles and Procedures for the Implementation of the CFE Treaty of
May 15, 1992.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">During the
implementation of the document, account should be taken of the fact that
the group of states party to the Warsaw Pact of 1955 no longer exists.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">During the
implementation of the document, account should be taken that the
Republic of Azerbaijan does not belong to either of two groups of states
envisaged by the treaty.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Provisions of the
document regarding the deployment of Russian TLE on the territory of
other states within the flank zone will not extend to the territory of
the Republic of Azerbaijan.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The presence of any
armed forces on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan against its
will and without the freely expressed and duly legalized consent of the
government of the Republic of Azerbaijan is unacceptable.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The states party to the
treaty should implement joint measures to remove any uncontrolled and
unaccounted-for TLE located on the territory of those states in the
flank region, in particular the Republic of Azerbaijan, and should
prevent any illegal deliveries or movements of TLE in this region.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The validity of the
document, once in force, will lapse as soon as the CFE Treaty goes into
force in its adapted form.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">The provisions of the
CFE Treaty concerning the flank region and the problems associated with
it will be considered within the framework and within the context of the
treaty adaptation process, in view of the fact that the flank region and
its limitations are an integral part of the treaty's previous
zonal-group structure, which is no longer in keeping with contemporary
geopolitical realities. Azerbaijan will regard the Flank Agreement
bearing in mind the aforementioned necessary conditions.</FONT></FONT></LI>
</UL>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">On May 8, 1997, the NATO
member-states made a joint statement in the JCG (Joint Consultative
Group), expressing their position that the Flank Agreement does not confer
the right upon any state party to the treaty to station or temporarily
deploy conventional armaments and equipment limited by the treaty on the
territory of other states party to the treaty without the freely expressed
consent of the receiving state. The statement further notes that the Flank
Agreement does not alter in any way the requirement for the freely
expressed consent of all states party to the treaty that are concerned
with the exercise of any reallocations. The majority of Azerbaijan's
above-mentioned concerns regarding the document are also reflected in the
joint statement made by the U.S. and my country made in Washington, Baku,
and in the JCG in Vienna. The statement fixes for the first time the
absence of foreign military bases on the territory of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan's position that any change in this status may take place only
in accordance with the constitutionally expressed will of the Azerbaijani
people and the state of Azerbaijan is also supported. This clause
acknowledges the non-block and non-group status of Azerbaijan in the
system of the European security.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<CENTER>
<H4><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Uncontrolled and
Unaccounted-For TLE</FONT></FONT></B></H4></CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Azerbaijan has repeatedly
drawn attention to the parties to the treaty to the uncontrolled and
unaccounted-for TLE presence on the territory of Azerbaijan. This presence
is a serious obstacle to the implementation of Azerbaijan's commitments
under the treaty and makes a positive settlement of the conflict
impossible. Sharing Azerbaijani and other countries' concerns on this
issue, the states party to the treaty, in the final document adopted at
the CFE Review Conference, stated that the existence of uncontrolled and
unaccounted-for TLE is undermining the treaty regime. The states also
stressed the urgent necessity to approve political decisions and
appropriate measures to ensure implementation of the treaty in accordance
with its provisions. We expect further cooperation from the concerned
states to resolve this problem.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">These recent developments
demonstrate the necessity to accelerate the efforts by all interested
states to establish a common "zone of confidence" across the
entire Euro-Atlantic space, preventing any thoughts of partiality in
approaches to interstate relations, particularly when these relations are
in violation of international treaties and agreements that threaten peace
and deepen force imbalances. Azerbaijan has been deeply concerned about
the illegal and unsanctioned transfer of 1 billion dollars (U.S.) worth of
Russian arms to the Republic of Armenia. Armenia received 84 T-72 battle
tanks, 50 ACVs, 72 artillery units, numerous surface-to-air systems with
349 rockets for them, 40 missiles for Osa surface-to-air systems, 18 Grad
multiple-missile launcher systems, and 40 portable Igla antiaircraft
systems and 200 rockets for those systems. Most of these weapons have been
stationed on the Azerbaijan territories occupied by the Republic of
Armenia. Our special concern is the intensification of arms transfer after
May 12, 1994, when the cease-fire regime was agreed to. This overwhelming
militarization of the Republic of Armenia is incommensurate with its
legitimate defense and security needs, and contradicts Armenia's
international commitments, including the CFE Treaty, as well as the
ongoing processes in Europe.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Azerbaijan welcomes the
decision of the state Duma and Russian leaders to work through the General
Prosecutors Office and the Military Prosecutors Office of the Russian
Federation to investigate that issue. We hope that all measures will be
taken by the Russian authorities to avoid such transfers and that
officials involved in illegal arms shipment to Armenia will bear the
responsibility and take all necessary steps to return these weapons to
Russia.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">To this end, we greatly
appreciate the U.S. Senate resolution that was adopted concerning the CFE
Treaty Flank Agreement ratification. The resolution took into account the
existence of illegal arms transfers to the Republic of Armenia and
approved special measures in this regard.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<CENTER>
<H4><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Adaptation of the CFE
Treaty</FONT></FONT></B></H4></CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Azerbaijan believes the
CFE Treaty adaptation process is of great importance and that the
interests of all states, including the small states of Europe, should be
taken into consideration. The CFE Treaty adaptation process should aim to
remove the imbalances of the Document, keeping the new geopolitical
reality in mind.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Azerbaijan is ready to
cooperate concerning the whole range of issues that pertain to the CFE
Treaty adaptation process, so that it will be in conformity with security
changes that took place after the signing of the treaty in 1990. In this
regard, our understanding is that:</FONT></FONT> </P>
<UL>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">It should be taken into
account that the group of states party to the Warsaw Pact of 1955 no
longer exists, and that therefore those states and those of the former
USSR are no longer tied by collective commitments, particularly
regarding the deployment of foreign troops on their territories.
Accordingly, an adapted treaty must provide strict and clear guarantees
that foreign troops cannot be deployed on a state's territory if that
state does not have ties of military alliance with the troops'
contributor country. In other words, a state that does not belong to a
group should be guaranteed that no foreign troops will be deployed on
its territory.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Appropriate provisions
to guarantee a balance of force in the region and to eliminate
stockpiling of weapons and arms equipment disproportionate to legitimate
security needs, particularly in the frontier districts of neighboring
states, will be elaborated. Azerbaijan's consent to the provisions of
the adapted treaty will depend on its evaluation of the present and
future security environment in Europe.</FONT></FONT></LI>
</UL>
<CENTER><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">AZERBAIJAN'S
VISION OF NATO'S ROLE IN THE</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<CENTER><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">ALL-EUROPEAN
SECURITY SYSTEM</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">This 14th NATO Workshop on
the eve of the NATO Summit in Madrid gives us an opportunity to exchange
national visions on NATO's role in the European security architecture. The
meeting of the heads of state and government in Madrid will be an
historical milestone in the life of postwar Europe and one where NATO will
secure new allies and strong partners. We believe that in Madrid NATO must
show the world that Europe should not be separated into blocs that leave
buffer states to the mercy of fate.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Azerbaijan considers NATO
to be a positive security factor and strongly believes that every country
must enjoy the inalienable right to choose its own security arrangements
freely. We feel that NATO is one of the most important and basic elements
of a pan-European security.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<CENTER>
<H4><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">AZERBAIJAN'S
RELATIONS WITH NATO AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS</FONT></FONT></B></H4></CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">With integration into the
European security structures its goal, the Republic of Azerbaijan is
developing and deepening its relations with NATO, while respecting the
concerns of other states. During this process, however, we are focusing on
our own national interests, which involve creation of internal and
external conditions that are favorable for the secure existence and
development of the state of Azerbaijan. In other words, we wish to be a
party to the talks, but not a part of them. We call upon all states to
develop advanced partnerships with states that have special, justified
concerns. Such partnerships could take the form of separate agreements
between NATO and these concerned countries, which are located in sensitive
zones.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">In general, Azerbaijan
looks positively on the signing, on May 27, 1997, in Paris, of the
Founding Act on Relationship, Cooperation, and Security between NATO and
the Russian Federation, with the understanding that this agreement will
not infringe on the interests of small states. We are pleased to note that
the signing of agreements between NATO and non-member-states has continued
with the initialing on May 29, 1997, in Sintra, Portugal, of the Charter
on a Distinctive NATO-Ukraine Partnership.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Azerbaijan fully supports
NATO plans to deepen the Partnership for Peace program and the
rapprochement between partners and NATO members. The President of
Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Heydar Aliyev, personally visited Brussels
on May 4, 1994, for the signing of the Partnership Framework Document.</FONT></FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">We look with great
interest on the initiative to establish the Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council as a unified mechanism of cooperation. The council should promote
conditions that will accelerate efforts to expand political partnerships
as well as strengthen real cooperation within the framework of Partnership
for Peace. However, the new structure should retain the positive elements
of NACC and PFP and take into account the above-mentioned concerns. We are
pleased that the Basic Document of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
aims to expand the political dimension of consultation and cooperation to
allow Partners to develop individual political relationships.</FONT></FONT>
</P>
<CENTER>
<H4><B><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">CONCLUDING REMARKS</FONT></FONT></B></H4></CENTER>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Azerbaijan is the only
country of the three in the South Caucasus that is free of foreign
military bases, does not belong to any existing military bloc, and is no
state's military ally. Because we are situated in a kind of buffer zone,
Azerbaijan follows with great interest the process of NATO enlargement.
However, we are also concerned with the intentions of some countries to
undertake measures that could affect the buffer states' security. In this
regard, Azerbaijan is looking to intensive dialogue and consultation
within the 16 + 1 framework on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.</FONT></FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT FACE="Palatino"><FONT COLOR="#000000">As a state located on the
southern border of Europe, Azerbaijan considers its security within the
context of a comprehensive all-European security system. Therefore
expanding its partnership with NATO, the major international
military-political organization, is an Azerbaijani foreign policy
priority. We believe this esteemed organization will continue its
relations with us in areas of mutual interest to meet the challenges of
the 21st century.</FONT></FONT> </P>
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