US AMB OF AZERBAIJAN NOMINEE AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL RESOLUTION
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 15 2006
Senator Sarbanes submits questions for the hearing record Washington,
DC – During her Senate confirmation hearing today, Ambassador-designate
Anne Derse reiterated U.S. policy for a peaceful, mutually acceptable
resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stating that “a return
to violence would be a tragedy.”
Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), a senior member of the Foreign Relations
Committee, submitted a series of questions for the record, including
the government of Azerbaijan’s continuing war rhetoric and other
bellicose actions taken against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Specifically, the Senator inquired about the impact of such acts
on the Karabakh peace process, and what steps will be taken to end
Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of Armenia.
Further, he addressed Azerbaijan’s attempts to isolate Armenia via a
proposed railway that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey,
but not traverse Armenia. The Senator also raised questions regarding
the decision of the Administration to provide asymmetrical military
assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as on Azerbaijan’s
human rights record. “The Assembly commends Senator Sarbanes for
his outstanding leadership on these issues of great significance,”
said Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard G. Lugar (R-IN)
asked Derse about the status of the Karabakh issue and her general
assessment of democracy in the Azerbaijan. Lugar added that Azerbaijan
will not reach its full potential if the rule of law is not improved.
Derse responded that if confirmed, she will work toward expanding and
strengthening U.S.-Azerbaijan security cooperation and help promote
democracy and governance. She said a peaceful settlement to the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is critical to achieving this goal and expressed
hope that President of Armenia Robert Kocharian and President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will work together on this issue.
She further stated that as Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, the U.S. will
also urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to remain engaged in the process and
demonstrate political courage. Derse also expressed her commitment
to work with both countries towards a peaceful resolution.
>”We appreciate Ambassador-designate Derse’s intentions to promote
democracy in Azerbaijan and the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict,” said Totah. “But the Nagorno Karabakh problem calls
for the full commitment of the United States to require Azerbaijan
to end its threats of renewed warfare and to defend the right of the
population of Nagorno Karabakh to determine its political future
through a democratic government of their free choice. Regional
security, economic prosperity, and peace will be possible only if
these principles are followed.”
On the issue of good governance, Derse stressed the importance of
a genuine effort by Azerbaijan to respect human rights in order to
pursue democratic reform and ensure long-term political stability.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
