Murder In The Parliament - The Consequences
Armenia's stand off at its parliament may be at an end but the political fallout from Wednesday's televised carnage will linger for months yet.
Armenia's stand off at its parliament may be at an end but the political fallout from Wednesday's televised carnage will linger for months yet.
By Mark Grigorian in Tblisi (Published on October 29, 1999)
By Mikael Danialian in Yerevan (Published on October 29, 1999)
The idea of resignation on principle - even over such a sensitive issue as Nagorno-Karabakh - is a new one on most Azeri politicians. If the wave of departures from the Azeri government have a cause, it is little to do with honour.
Armenia's president is weak and its prime minister is dead. Whatever follows the attack on the National Assembly, political change is inevitable.
Mutual suspicions between Russia and Georgia have been increased during the Chechnya crisis, erupting into a key issue of forthcoming parliamentary elections.
In crossing the Terek river, Moscow seems to be heading for a full-scale war in Chechnya, and neglecting many of the lessons from its previous defeat.
Meetings this month between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are raising expectations of a peace agreement over the disputed territory.
The chaos in Chechnya is spreading over the border into Georgia as armed gangs turn to kidnap to raise foreign money for weapons.
The abrupt departure of the Azeri president's trusted aide has fueled further speculations about negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh and other policies of concern to Moscow. Did the advisor jump or was he pushed?