BAKU (Noyan Tapan)–Azeri presidential advisor Vafa Guluzade told the Azeri Zerkalo newspaper that former Armenian presidential advisor Gerard Libaridian–currently on a controversial personal visit to Baku–was relieved of his positions–allegedly for having direct talks with Guluzade.
Guluzade called Libaridian a realist and a pragmatist–who possesses true diplomatic prowess.
He reflected on the time when Libaridian and he were counterparts–during which time they discussed the peace process and came up with the cease-fire agreement.
Guluzade said that at the time the Russian OSCE Minsk Group co-chairman Vladimir Kazimorov was pressing for an extended Russian role in the cease-fire process. He added that he side-stepped Russia and through the French Co-chairman met with Libaridian to formulate the peace process.
Because of this meeting–Guluzade insisted–Libaridian was removed from office–since Moscow was extremely displeased with those talks and allegedly urged ousted leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan to remove Libaridian from office.
"If Ter-Petrosyan and Libaridian remained in power in Armenia–we would have made strides in the peace process," commented Guluzade.
He stressed the importance of Libaridian’s visit to Baku–saying that he plays an important role in the Armenian lobby in the US and is a revered scholar in American circles..
