CONTEMPORARY EURASIA IX ( 2 )
gun ”. 52 Additionally , during his tenure , the internalization of the conflict with the engagement of CSCE barely started , and no major negotiations were held . Moreover , even though the situation worsened in the country , Elchibey also managed to derail relations with Iranby pledging to lead demonstrations in Tabriz and enter Stepanakert through Tabriz . 53 However , he did not manage to realize his promises and was forced to resign because of the fall of Kelbajar in April 1993 .
From 1991-1993 , Azerbaijani policies towards the NK in general and the peace process , in particular , cannot be described as strategically patient . Neither of the five presidents of Azerbaijan in this period was interested in the Karabakh peace process . Mostly they trumpeted Karabakh to gain public trust and maintain their power . It can be even claimed that during this period , Karabakh was the main decisive factor in Azerbaijani politics . Due to the military victories of Armenia and territorial losses of Azerbaijan , four presidents of Azerbaijan were ousted . Thus , the NK determined the ups and downs of Azerbaijani politicians . The mediation processes started in this period through the efforts of Russia , Kazakhstan , and Iran . However , they did not succeed . Neither of the five presidents came to power with calls for peace and this period can rather be described as preventing hostilities than managing or resolving the issue .
Conflict Resolution vs . Conflict Management in 1993-2003
The Azerbaijani leaders ' failure concerning the NK conflict played a significant role and made Azerbaijani leaders carefully reconsider their internal and external policies . During these tumultuous times , Heydar Aliyev succeeded Elchibey . The imperative for consolidating his power in the country and restarting the state-building process made Heydar Aliyev take measures to end the hostilities on the border .
Heydar Aliyev ’ s position towards the peace process can be described as a constant transition from conflict management to conflict resolution . His approach towards NK peace can be divided into two stages , namely establishing a ceasefire and trying to manage the conflict consolidating his power and Azerbaijan ’ s position in the international arena , and trying to find ways to resolve the dispute , ending up with conflict management .
52 “ Karabahskij Vopros Mozhno Reshit ' Tol ' ko Voennym Putem , Schitaet Abul ' faz
Jel ' chibej ,” Turan , last modified July 15 , 1999 , https :// www . turan . az / ext / news / 1999 / 7 / subsc / politics / ru / 7933 . htm . 53 Agaev & Alizade , Azerbaydzhan . Konets Vtoroy Respubliki , 821 .
65