AZERBAIJANI POLITICIANS CONDEMN US SUPPORT FOR ARMENIA – POLL
APA
April 16 2010
Azerbaijan
Baku. Elnur Mammadli – APA. "We have expectations from the US as
a Minsk Group co-chair. If the US considers us a strategic ally,
we call on it to be just in Nagorno Karabakh issue," vice-speaker of
Azerbaijani parliament Ziyafat Asgarov said while commenting on the
position of the US in Nagorno Karabakh problem, APA reports.
Ziyafat Asgarov says Armenia even backtracks on the issues it had
agreed before.
"It means that direct support of the US and other co-chairing
countries of Minsk Group caused this. We are not satisfied with the
situation. We demand from the Minsk Group co-chairs once more to be
fair, assess the issue objectively and give up exerting pressure on
Turkey. Erdogan said the borders were closed in 1993, Armenia occupied
Azerbaijani territories. Pressure is exerted on Turkey for opening the
border, Armenia can continue its criminal actions there. What does
it mean? I regret that the US, France and Russia do not demonstrate
fair position. We are pursuing an independent policy. Azerbaijan will
cooperate with the states, which will not take steps contradicting
Azerbaijan’s national interests. If the policy contradicting our
national interests is pursued, someone tries to give orders to us,
we will certainly react strongly," he said.
Deputy chairman of New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), parliamentarian Ali
Ahmadov says there have been a number of initiatives to settle Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and the issue on opening of the borders has also
been brought to the agenda.
"The US and a number of western states support it. Principally,
the opening of the borders between the two states depends on the
relations between the two countries. But despite this, western states
and especially US exert serious pressure on Turkey for opening the
borders. Though the US is one of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, it
is against the linking of the opening of borders and Nagorno Karabakh
problem. With this the US makes two significant mistakes. First,
it interferes in the relations between the two states, exerts
pressure on one side, it is not right in terms of the norms of the
international law. Secondly, the US as a co-chair of Minsk Group
does not fulfill its mission. The US shows that it is not going to
profit by the opening of Armenia-Turkey border within the stipulation
of the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict. With this the US shows
that it does not intend to help solve the conflict. If it had such an
intention, it would exert pressures on Armenia first of all. Taking
this into account the US’ position, which is unfair, contradicts the
norms of the international law, is an example of double standards,
causes protest of every citizen. This in general casts shadow on the
mediation mission of Minsk Group," he said.
Chairman of the parliament’s committee for legal policy and statehood,
MP Ali Huseynov says though Azerbaijan – US relations has little
history, they have great importance.
"These relations base on political, economic roots and have strategic
character.
Unfortunately, the new US administration pursues a policy damaging
these relations. Those people who are forming this policy are not
able to correctly value the economic and geopolitical position of
Azerbaijan in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister’s statement on the
latest developments showed that this is not only our idea. A number
of European officials are also thinking so. The US administration
should know that Azerbaijan would not suffer from this relation. It
doesn’t concern us. The time will come US will understand that it
suffers from this relation if they correctly analyze the situation".
Chairman of the Great System Party Fazil Mustafa called the
developments as a continuation of the US policy. "The US attitude is
against us. We have to resist to that".
Chairman of the All Azerbaijan Popular Front Party MP Gudrat
Hasanguliyev said he condemned US efforts to pull out Armenia from
the current situation. In his opinion, that US actions stimulate the
separatism in the world and serve violation of peace and stability.
"This is a sign of US double-standard policy. Sometimes US allies in
NATO also acknowledges that their policy contribute to the tensions in
the world. I think that Azerbaijan should strongly express protest. We
have to strongly condemn the US policy today. The United States should
be a guarantor of international law, but not to violate it".
Political analyst Mubariz Ahmadoglu told APA that Armenia was a source
of tension in the region. "Armenia is a source of separatism in the
region. If the United States supports Armenia, it means it advocates
for tensions, separatism and economic problems in the region".
Chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party MP Asim Mollazadeh
related the latest developments to the US domestic problems. "Obama
promised many things to the Armenian Diaspora during the election
campaign, but he can not fulfill it because it is against the national
interests of the United States. The United States will hold the
elections to the Congress this year and public opinion polls predict
defeat of democrats. They pressure on Turkey to serve the Armenians.
But it is against the national interests and security of the United
States. I think we have to be capable of great endurance. Azerbaijan
and Turkey should continue their way, to protect their fair position
in the world and to take joint actions. I don’t think that it is
possible to force Turkey to do something under the pressure.
Azerbaijan is also able to defend its fair national interests".