Politician slams US policy on Garabagh
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
posted July 10 2006
Baku, July 7, AssA-Irada — An Azeri party leader has said the latest
statements by US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza testify
to United States’ aspiration to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict soon.
Washington attaches great importance to the South Caucasus region
in terms of safe transportation of energy resources to the West and
resolution of conflicts flaring in the Middle East and Central Asia,
chairman of the Justice Party, MP Ilyas Ismayilov said.
"The United States is therefore making effort to settle conflicts
that continue to jeopardize its interests in the region."
The party leader said that particularly alarming is the United
States’ efforts to solve the Garabagh conflict "on the basis of
current realities, but not the principles of international law",
i.e. Washington demands that Azerbaijan make compromises instead of
putting pressure on the aggressor.
Ismayilov said Bryza’s statement that "the conflict can’t be settled
through military action" was addressed to Azerbaijan.
"In general, the position of the West, including the United States,
serves to revive the theory of ‘violence is the law’ that was used
in the early 20th century. This theory incites violence, terrorism
and anarchy in the world," he said.
The MP said Azerbaijan could accept determination of the status of
Upper Garabagh through a referendum only if it is held as a nationwide
poll, as the national interests and Constitution disallow holding a
poll in a separate territory of the country.
"If international organizations insist on a referendum, the vote must
be held across Azerbaijan."
Ismayilov said that President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated
that he won’t sign any agreement contradicting Azerbaijan’s national
interests.
The President’s latest statements allayed public concerns, he said.
"I also view his statements as a response to those trying to take
advantage of the Garabagh conflict to pursue their ends," the MP
added.*