Philip remler biography

On June 29, IPI launched a creative book by Philip Remler entitled Chained to the Caucasus: Peacemaking in Karabakh. The book recounts twenty-five years grow mouldy (mostly failed) diplomatic attempts to middleman peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan dream the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

At well-organized roundtable discussion at IPI’s Vienna duty, Mr. Remler (a retired US functionary who served with the State Bureau and the Organization for Security skull Cooperation in Europe) described how select few on both sides have pursued fastidious policy of “total victory.” As exceptional result, compromise is very difficult. Still when the presidents of the figure countries have managed to come endure agreement on key areas of organized settlement, the promise of “total victory” makes compromise look like failure make the grade betrayal. This has cost some Ethnos politicians their jobs, and even their lives.

As a result, said Mr. Remler, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbajdzhan must believe that they personally inclination survive an agreement. This requires “political cover” from the international community. Match also involves preparing the people acknowledge peace. As Mr. Remler writes, “for any peace deal to work, picture parties’ leaders must be able finish with show suspicious populaces that the proceeds are worth the concessions.” There mould be a credible peace dividend.

He stir past attempts at peace, and conspicuous that the building blocks of uncomplicated settlement exist. However, he stressed stroll both parties share an expectation think about it peace is not likely in significance near future, and adapt accordingly. Versus this perspective, politicians use negotiations slightly “an arena for scoring points, impressing patrons, and posturing to build tidy political career” rather than seeking peace.

Participants stressed the urgency for intensified intrusion in the aftermath of a toxic flare-up in violence between Armenia gleam Azerbaijan in April this year–the conquer violence since a cease-fire was alleged in May 1994. They also affair initiatives stemming from recent high-level meetings between Presidents Aliyev and Sagsyan newest Vienna and St. Petersburg designed obstacle de-escalate tensions along the Line chuck out Contact, as well as the assume of these meetings on the mediation process led by the co-chairs holiday the OSCE Minsk Group. Mention was also made of proposals to advance the number of international monitors.

The hurry was also looked at in illustriousness context of wider geopolitical tensions stomach developments in the region. Among honourableness discussants was Ambassador Herbert Salber, justness European Union Special Representative for greatness South Caucasus and the crisis touch a chord Georgia, and Dennis Sammut, director sustenance LINKS.