IT WAS VERY MINOR MISUNDERSTANDING AMONG FRIENDS

News.az
Dec 21 2009
Azerbaijan

Frederick Starr News.Az interviews Frederick Starr, Professor of the
Johns Hopkins University.

How would you comment on the decision of the U.S. Congress on
allocating direct aid to Nagorno Karabakh?

This was an action initiated by very few members of Congress which
slept throw. It should have been stopped by the administration and
leaders in Congress. It was passed but that does not mean that the
money is spent. I think there are many possibilities to make it
possible not to spend this money.

Don’t you think it looks quite strange when U.S. administration is
so often dependent on Armenian lobby in Congress?

Let me say how did this happen. This is an extremely busy time in
Congress. There are many, many, many bills being considered not to
mention major healthcare legislation. This was hidden in the bottom of
the paragraph in a long piece of legislation. Frankly it apparently
slept throw. This happened but it does not mean that the money is
going to be spent. And I don’t think that it is necessary to draw
significant conclusion on this.

Do you really think that President Obama will change entire budget
document only because of one sentence?

He may not have the power to. But leave that aside that does not mean
that the money will be spent. I will guess that it will not be. I
would no draw important conclusion on the bases of this.

Anyway ambassador of Azerbaijan has presented a note of protest to
U.S. side. Would it harm bilateral relations?

I don’t think this would do any harm at all. Neither the Congressional
action nor the response by Azerbaijan. I think it was very minor
misunderstanding among friends.

And the last question. What are the perspectives of Karabakh conflict?

It is hard to close the year 2009 in a mood of deep optimism. Yes there
are some hopeful signs. I think some of the very worst possibilities
have been avoided. Largely thanks to effective diplomacy from Baku. I
think the bilateral channels are open. And my own suspicion is the
bilateral opportunities are going to be the most promising once in
the future. We have to acknowledge that so far the international
community (if we may use that term) has proven disappointing with
regard to solving the Karabakh problem.