UNITED STATES APPLY DOUBLE STANDARDS ONCE MORE – AZERBAIJANI POLITICIANS

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
April 23 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / Òrend corr I. Alizadeh / The changes about
Nagorno-Karabakh made in the US State Department’s report on the
state of human rights have lead to the cancellation of the visit of
the Azerbaijani governmental delegation to the United States.

Politician Rasim Musabeyov, has stated that it is unusual to make
changes to a published report due to any insistences. The changes,
which do not correspond to the truth, were made in the report relating
to an evident issue proves that the -Armenian lobby has a great impact
upon the United States’ policy. "The US officials are confident that
Azerbaijan will continue its co-operation with Washington even if
such alterations are made in the report," the expert added.

Musabeyov has said that the United States has stuck to a wrong policy
by changing the report. Vardan Oskanian has affected the issue as
well. "Oskanian is considered to be a pro-American representative in
the present ruling elite of Armenia. The nomination of Oskanian at the
forthcoming presidential elections is not ruled out," Musabeyov noted.

The expert has indicated that the alterations have been made in
that part of the report relating to Armenia, and the part concerning
Azerbaijan has remained unchanged. To apply a double standard on a
single matter is ridiculous, he said.

He has noted that the postponement of negotiations scheduled for
Washington harms not only the United States’ plans relating to the
region, but also relations between Azerbaijan and the country.

Politician Zardusht Alizadeh has stated that the changes are the result
of a lengthy process. The experts of the State Department have arrived
at the idea that Azerbaijan and Armenia do not seek the settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "They believe that the parties are
trying to suspend relations. For this reason the experts suggested to
the government that the occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh should not
be mentioned in the report any more," Alizadeh has said. According to
the expert, the alterations will not seriously affect the relationship
between Azerbaijan and the United States.

Politician Rustam Mammadov has noted that the bonds between the two
countries are on high level and added that the United States always
applies a double standard in its policy. "The United States does not
see Armenia as its future ally. However, Washington seeks to make
the country pursue a pro-western policy. The changes in the report
were made in order not to let the Armenians turn their back on the
United States," Mammadov said.

He noted the readiness of Azerbaijan to become an ally for the United
States. However, Washington’s goal is to bring Armenia out of Russia’s
control.

–Boundary_(ID_Pe7nrgEs6xVQKkIX WYOvKA)–