Uruguay Becomes Player in Caucasus Equation

Those developments may eventually lead to the recognition of Karabagh’s independence by Uruguay. Having been asked directly about such a possibility, Ruben Martinez Huelmo, chairman of Uruguay’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has responded, “To be honest with you, theoretically that possibility exists. But this is a political process which has to take its course. Documents have to be compiled and studied. At this time, we are on a fact-finding mission. The collected facts have to be presented to the political powers.”

Beyond the existence of theoretical possibility, the delegation has been compiling facts about the issue. In the absence of political vigilance by Armenians, Uruguay may follow suit and erect Heydar Aliyev’s statue, as it was done in Mexico.

Last year, Uruguay’s Senate adopted a resolution to provide a budget to build a museum dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. The recognition of Karabagh’s independence will be a breakthrough in bringing out the mini state from its isolation.

While the Uruguayan parliamentary delegation was on its visit in Karabagh, a conference of Eurasian countries took place in Yerevan.

The Eurasian Integration Project is President Vladimir Putin’s brainchild to create a global economic counterweight to the European Union. The majority of former republics of the Soviet Union are involved in it. The conference included the major political parties of the countries participating in the project. The Republican and Prosperous Armenia parties represented Armenia. Putin’s United Russia Party represented Russia. Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other countries were also represented. Karabagh was represented by the Azad Artsakh Party. The next conference will be held in St. Petersburg and along with Karabagh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia will also be invited. This move will further contribute to Karabagh’s recognition by the other countries.

At this point, Uruguay’s decision will prove to be crucial. The parliamentary fact-finding may take a long time or it may turn out to be a smokescreen to conceal the true intentions of the Montevideo government. It may further become a bargaining chip for Uruguay to extract some business deals or vote buying at the United Nations at Armenia’s expense. Any development must be expected realistically in politics. That should not deter  Armenians in their determination to seek justice for the people of Karabagh. If indeed the government of Uruguay recognizes Karabagh’s independence, the Armenian community there must be credited in the first place and its role must be emulated in other countries with significant concentrations of Armenians.

Turkey and Azerbaijan have the wherewithal to peddle influence in many countries and they have been making inroads in the political fabric of countries where Armenian presence is sparse or nonexistent. In Mexico, Azeris have been successful in erecting Heydar Aliyev’s statue. Additionally, they have forced their way to have the Mexican Parliament pass a resolution condemning the so-called genocide of Khojalu supposedly perpetrated by Armenian forces. Whether Uruguay comes forth with recognition or not is immaterial.

The official visit of the parliamentary delegation has induced enough fear in Azerbaijan about losing their grip on the situation. Persistent, comprehensive and consistent policy will eventually bring the much-needed relief to Karabagh people, who will eventually be integrated in the world community.

Let’s not hold our breath and extend our gratitude to Uruguay for its initial contribution to Karabagh’s situation, hoping that it will take the next crucial step of recognition.