U.S. WANTS TO TIE BOTH ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO ITSELF: POLITICAL EXPERT

Today.Az
07 December 2009 [14:43]

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political expert Rasim Agayev.

Day.Az: What do you expect from a coming meeting between Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Turkish prime minister said earlier that he plans to debate the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as well during the meeting. May the U.S.

administration change position towards the Karabakh issue after
the meeting?

Rasim Agayev: I think resolving the Karabakh conflict will be discussed
in relations with the Armenian-Turkish dialogue in Washington. These
two issues are interdependent. Turkish-American dialogue on this
issue will contribute to Washington’s better understanding of the
issue. Therefore, contacts between the U.S. and Turkey in this respect
are very important and useful.

Is the U.S. interested in resolving the Karabakh conflict?

On one hand, the United States has enough influence to persuade Armenia
to promote settlement of the Karabakh conflict. On the other hand,
Armenia is Russia’s ally and the pressure on Armenia could lead to the
Russian-American complications. I think the U.S. does not believe that
they should put pressure on Armenia to meet Azerbaijan’s aspirations in
the Karabakh issue. Washington has its own understanding of the problem
and its interests associated with each of the two conflicting parties.

I believe that the U.S. wants to resolve the Karabakh conflict so
that both sides were satisfied with Washington’s participation in the
negotiation process. The U.S. wants to tie both Armenia and Azerbaijan
to itself with the aim of strengthening in the South Caucasus region.

The United States needs it to pursue more flexible policies in the
Middle East.

How do you assess outcome of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign
ministers’ meeting in Athens and the follow-up statements?

I think these statements were made in a bid to show optimism on the
Karabakh negotiations. Indeed, there is a noticeable disappointed in
Azerbaijan at the negotiations. There is an impression of a deadlock.

But I see nothing in statements by the Azerbaijan Foreign that would
back this optimism.