U.S should not help Nagorno-Karabakh: First Vice-Speaker
12.12.2009 14:46

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.12 / Trend News, A.Huseynbala /

Azerbaijani First Deputy Parliamentary Speaker thinks the United
States, who recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, should not
help Nagorno Karabakh.

"We cannot regard the U.S. support to Nagorno-Karabakh without any
notification or explanation as correct. The U.S., who recognizes the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, was to coordinate it with Baku,"
Trend News quoted First Deputy Parliamentary Speaker, Commission on
Security and Defence Head Ziyafet Asgerov as saying.

U.S. Congress and Senate adopted a decision to allocate $8 million in
assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh on Dec. 9.

According to Asgerov, Azerbaijan is a strategic ally of the U.S. and
Washington was to inform Azerbaijan about it respecting the
territorial integrity of the country. "On the other hand, you know
that now negotiations have entered into a very sensitive phase.
Allocation of $41 million to Armenia and $8 million to the
Nagorno-Karabakh makes suspicious the mediation mission of the country
[the U.S.].

Asgerov thinks to preserve the fair position the U.S. ought to assist
the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh, too. "We are unaware
for what purpose the beneficiary will use this aid. We know that
Armenia spends U.S. financial assistance for armaments. I think the
aid for Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh in this sensitive phase of
talks counteracts the spirit of our strategic ally relations."

Asgerov didn’t exclude that the issue will be discussed at a
parliamentary meeting. "Azerbaijani MPs are very much concerned about
it. This question will more probably be raised in the parliament."

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations.

So far, Armenia has not fulfilled resolutions in connection with the
liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the occupied territories,
adopted by UN General Assembly.