Peter Steiniger, journalist-editor of the authoritative German magazine “Neues Deutschland”, referred to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and Erdogan’s expansion policy.
The arsonists should try harder to extinguish the fire: Given the new fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg politely urges member Turkey to use his influence on Azerbaijan. This is exactly what Turkey is already doing to the best of its capacity – as an accomplice and participant in the aggression against the Armenians.
The return to the hot war after the long-frozen conflict between the two post-Soviet states is part of Erdogan’s expansionary policy in the South Caucasus, which is based on his pact with the oil autocrat in Baku. Once before in modern history, the Armenians were victims of bloody persecution by fanatics. Their successors are now bombing Stepanakert. Turkey not only communicates secretly with Islamist mercenaries, but also with the regular military on the side of Azerbaijan for a long time. Its head of state wants to let Armenian soldiers “hunted like dogs”. Without a speedy return to the ceasefire, the Karabakh conflict will develop into a war that threatens to infect the entire region. Any policy of appeasement only encourages Erdogan to pursue great Ottoman adventures. For diplomacy to make sense, arms deliveries to Ankara must first be suspended.
Foto: AFP/Hayk Baghdasaryan
