FARIZ ISMAILZADE: "ARMENIANS HAVE PRESENTED AZERBAIJAN AS A MILITARY MONSTER IN THE UNITED STATES"

Today.Az
litics/50514.html
Feb 5 2009
Azerbaijan

US foundation Heritage organized a conference on the South Caucasus
"Role of the South Caucasus in the external policyof the United
States and the attitude of the new administration to the region",
said Fariz Ismayilzade, director of external political programs of
the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy Fariz Ismailzade.

According to him, director of the institute of Central Asia and
Caucasus under John Hopkins Frederick Starr, Ariel Coen from Heritage
Foundation, John Chiki from Pentagon, adviser of senator Lugar and
others spoke at the event.

"On the whole, the conference was attended by about 150 people. The
main discussed issues were the Russian-Georgian war and its
influence on the region, relations of the United States with Turkey
and Iran. Currently, there are definite chances and Obama wants at
least not to be at war with Iran while position of Turkey against
Israel changes much. The influence of this on the situation in the
Caucasus was discussed.

Moreover, we also discussed the energy issue, as the Russian-Ukrainian
gas crisis affected the situation and the role of Nabucco project
and Azerbaijan has grown. There were many discussions on the Nabucco
project and naturally when discussing the Caucasus it is impossible
not to mention the unsettled conflicts", said he.

As for the Armenian side, he said it was represented by deputy
ambassador in Washington.

"Armenians attacked Frederick Starr as he called Nagorno Karabakh
occupied. The Armenian side rejects the very fact of occupation. When
I said that Azerbaijan is ready to grant high autonomy to Nagorno
Karabakh they answered they did not need it as Armenians have already
self-determined.

They consider the referendum held in the beginning of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict without Azerbaijanis the final decision of
Armenians. Certainly, I put forward my own arguments regarding
illegitimacy of this referendum. That is the first conclusion is
that they do not want to make any concessions. The second is that
Armenians view Azerbaijan as a threat for themselves.

They say in open that Azerbaijan is arming, strengthening its military
potential and that Armenia is obliged to buy weapon and receive
aid. Even in the US Congress and other state structures we are asked
why Azerbaijan wants war and the country leadership open says that
it is ready to settle the conflict by way of force. Armenians have
presented Azerbaijan as a military monster in the United States",
concluded Ismayilzade.