August 12, 2009 - 17:22 AMT
Replacement of Matthew Bryza by Tina S. Kaidanow displays determination of U.S. to knuckle down to Karabakh problem
Decision of the U.S. administration to replace Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of State Matthew Bryza by the former U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Tina S. Kaidanow, the author of Kosovo's plan of independence, displays a firm determination of the U.S. to address the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. This opinion was expressed by Vladimir Zakharov ,
Deputy Director of Center of Caucasian Studies at Moscow State Institute for International Relations in an interview with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Replacement of the co-chairmen prompts of possible complications in the OSCE Minsk Group, pressure on the conflict parties is also expected," he said.

According to him, the fact that the Karabakh side is not involved in the conflict settlement is big drawback. "I have repeatedly said that Karabakh should be immediately involved in the negotiation process," Vladimir Zakharov said.

The recent aggressive statements by official Baku that Azerbaijan will force Armenia to peace prompts that Baku enjoys support from the West, perhaps this explains the recent decision of the United States.

"Regrouping of forces means that the U.S. intends to address the issue, the Russian expert stressed, adding that the panic in Azerbaijan is natural, since Mr. Bryza has already been "proven" man, and now they do not know what to expect.

Mr. Zakharov also said that appointment of former U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Tina S. Kaidanow to the position of OSCE Minsk Group co-chair of is possible.

OSCE Minsk Group co-chair Matthew Bryza declared on August 10 in Tbilisi, that U.S. diplomat Tina S. Kaidanow, will assume the office of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, replacing the incumbent Matthew Bryza.

Successor of Bryza, Tina S. Kaidanow has worked for U.S. diplomatic mission in Kosovo for two years and as Deputy Chief of U.S. mission in Sarajevo for three years.