From: Assembly <[email protected]>
Subject: AAA: US Amb To Azerbaijan Nominee Affirms Commitment to Peaceful Res
Armenian Assembly of America
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PRESS RELEASE
May 12, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN NOMINEE AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL
RESOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT
Senator Sarbanes submits questions for the hearing record
Washington, DC – During her Senate confirmation hearing today,
Ambassador-designate Anne Derse reiterated U.S. policy for a peaceful,
mutually acceptable resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
stating that “a return to violence would be a tragedy.”
Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), a senior member of the Foreign Relations
Committee, submitted a series of questions for the record, including
the government of Azerbaijan’s continuing war rhetoric and other
bellicose actions taken against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Specifically, the Senator inquired about the impact of such acts on
the Karabakh peace process, and what steps will be taken to end
Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of Armenia.
Further, he addressed Azerbaijan’s attempts to isolate Armenia via a
proposed railway that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey,
but not traverse Armenia. The Senator also raised questions regarding
the decision of the Administration to provide asymmetrical military
assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as on Azerbaijan’s human
rights record.
“The Assembly commends Senator Sarbanes for his outstanding leadership
on these issues of great significance,” said Assembly Board of
Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard G. Lugar (R-IN)
asked Derse about the status of the Karabakh issue and her general
assessment of democracy in the Azerbaijan. Lugar added that
Azerbaijan will not reach its full potential if the rule of law is not
improved.
Derse responded that if confirmed, she will work toward expanding and
strengthening U.S.-Azerbaijan security cooperation and help promote
democracy and governance. She said a peaceful settlement to the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict is critical to achieving this goal and
expressed hope that President of Armenia Robert Kocharian and
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will work together on this issue.
She further stated that as Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, the U.S. will
also urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to remain engaged in the process and
demonstrate political courage. Derse also expressed her commitment to
work with both countries towards a peaceful resolution.
“We appreciate Ambassador-designate Derse’s intentions to promote
democracy in Azerbaijan and the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict,” said Totah. “But the Nagorno Karabakh problem
calls for the full commitment of the United States to require
Azerbaijan to end its threats of renewed warfare and to defend the
right of the population of Nagorno Karabakh to determine its political
future through a democratic government of their free choice. Regional
security, economic prosperity, and peace will be possible only if
these principles are followed.”
On the issue of good governance, Derse stressed the importance of a
genuine effort by Azerbaijan to respect human rights in order to
pursue democratic reform and ensure long-term political stability.
Derse most recently served as Director for Bio Defense Policy at the
Homeland Security Council at the White House. Prior to this, she
served as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the United States
Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Earlier in her career, she served as
Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the United States Mission
to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
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NR#2006-049
Editor’s Note: Attached are the questions Senator Sarbanes submitted
for the hearing record.
1. What steps will you take in response to President Aliyev’s
increasingly belligerent rhetoric and actions, such as his threats to
restart the war against Nagorno-Karabakh, his call for a return of
Nagorno-Karabakh “no matter what it takes,” and his proposals for vast
increases in military spending? What impact do you believe such
actions will have on the prospects for a negotiated settlement in
Nagorno-Karabakh?
2. Despite U.S. and international calls for regional cooperation and
economic integration, Turkey and Azerbaijan continue their illegal
decade-long blockade of land-locked Armenia. Azerbaijan and Turkey
are now escalating this policy of isolation by planning to build a
railroad line to connect Turkey and Azerbaijan, excluding Armenia.
There is currently legislation pending that would prevent any
U.S. financing of the approximately $800 million venture. Do you
intend to raise concerns about the railway? What steps will you take
to end Azerbaijan’s blockade of Armenia?
3. In the aftermath of September 11th, Congress granted the President
limited and conditional authority to waive Section 907 of the Freedom
Support Act, with the understanding that the administration would
ensure military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, in
this year’s budget, the President requested over $1 million more in
military aid for Azerbaijan than for Armenia. On what basis has the
administration decided to depart from its previous commitment to
provide equal amounts of military assistance for Armenia and
Azerbaijan?
4. Do you believe that Azerbaijan deserved to be elected to the UN
Human Rights Council? How did the U.S. vote on Azerbaijan’s
candidacy? What steps will you take to improve respect for human
rights in Azerbaijan?
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
