WHICH ALTERATION WAS CONSIDERED IMPROPER, STILL REMAINS UNCERTAIN
By A. Haroutiunian
AZG Armenian Daily
04/05/2007
Anthony F. Godfrey, Deputy Chief of US Mission to Armenia answered the
reporter’s question at NATO conference. His words mainly referred to
the US Department of State Report on Human Rights. To remind, at first
the Report stated that Armenia "has occupied Azerbaijani territories
adjacent to Nagonro-Karabakh", then, after Armenia complained about
inappropriate wording, the statement was altered to "Armenian armed
forces hold territories adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh".
Nevertheless, after Azerbaijan threatened not to take part in the
discussions of security and defense with Washington, the aforementioned
statement was restored in its original phrasing.
Mr. Godfrey said that in result of those changes in the text of the US
Department of State Report confusion occurred, which surely was not
done on purpose. He stated that the position of the United States on
the conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh has not changed. He said that America
count’s upon Armenia’s comprehension of this complicated situation
To a question by "Azg" reporter whether the last alteration should be
considered a result of Azerbaijan’s, the Deputy Chief of US Mission
answered that the USA never used to work under foreign pressure. He
stated that the American authorities have just corrected the wrong
phrasing.
Answering to another question about the new American Ambassador to
Armenia Mr. Godfrey said that the candidature of the next Ambassador
was appointed a year ago. The future ambassador is studying Armenian
at present and is to arrive in Yerevan in late summer.
The diplomat added that the candidature is still to be approved by
the Senate.