"Iran, as an important factor in our region, becomes one of the most important principles of the US policy. And the greatest advocate of anti-Iranian moods is the US President’s National Security Advisor John Bolton,", international law expert Suren Sargsyan said today at an international roundtable discussion on "2018: A Breakthrough Year in the South Caucasus?"
"He does not use rhetoric to squeeze and crush Iran just as the US President's advisor, but also as a lecturer and ambassador. Regardless of his position, it was Bolton's principled standpoint. He is the author of the a part of the package of sanctions against Iran. Bolton has also always had an anti-Russian attitude, " he said.
Suren Sargsyan emphasized the fact that John Bolton's regional visit once again proved that Georgia is of strategic importance to the United States in South Caucasus.
"By and large, Georgia is plan B for the US. If there is a problem with Turkey, they cannot agree on some issues, Georgia is always there for anything. In its turn, Georgia has drawn its own external vector to that side. The second most important state in the region for the United States is Azerbaijan. Besides the fact that Azerbaijan is rich in energy resources, it also provides serious support regarding Afghanistan,"said the speaker.
Touching upon the recent visit of the US President's advisor John Bolton to Armenia, the international law expert noticed that his visit to our country was not by chance because there is a benchmark for Armenian-American relations, which cannot be lowered.
"It is conditioned by several circumstances, but the most important fact is the presence of the Armenian community. On the other hand, I think, there is also another benchmark above which the Armenian-American relations cannot be placed. The US, in fact, is not interested in Armenia as it has nothing to give to the United States.
Bolton was well aware that if he came to Armenia and asked for help regarding Iran, we would not help. Bolton also openly stated that Armenia is a high priority for them, but he did not use the word "strategic". But he used that word for Georgia and Azerbaijan. As for the arms sales, the United States knows that we are not the potential buyer of American weapons. First, it's expensive, and then you have to learn. This is a US business approach, " said Suren Sargsyan.
The international law expert underlined that Armenia should understand what Americans can offer.
Talking about the Armenian-American lobby, the speaker noticed that in this sense, our situation is not so favorable.
"Our lobbyists are historically in the worst condition today, and the American aid to Armenia is historically at its lowest level, only $ 6.8 million, while there was a period when Armenia was the second state after Israel, with regard to the amount of aid per person. And now that trend is not there, our influence in Washington is too small, and it's getting less and less. We are getting weaker and weaker. The only thing we can maintain is the American direct assistance to Artsakh, about $ 5 million a year. There are quite difficult times coming, we have not worked well with the Republicans, and we have been good with Democrats in the Congress, " Sargsyan said.