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Matthew Bryza: We Want an Alternative Way
BAKU. May 19, 2011: In 20 years since Azerbaijan gained its
independence there has been positive progress in the security and
energy sectors, said Matthew Bryza, the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan,
in his interview to the Voice of America. There are achievements
in the field of internal reforms, although the processes here is
ambiguous. Among the successes in the economy, the ambassador noted
the avoidance of the "Dutch syndrome", and noted reasonable
distribution of the Oil Fund. Speaking on the subject of political
reforms, he noted some regression, such as the arrests of journalists
and bloggers.
"We want to do everything to encourage the rule of law as this is what
the Azerbaijan people must depend on. Anti-corruption reforms
initiated recently by the Azerbaijani government should be continued
by a strong civil society. To achieve this, reforms need to be
consistent," said Bryza.
Congratulating Azerbaijan on the victory of the Eurovision Song
Contest 2011, Bryza hoped that the achievement will strengthen the
confidence of Azerbaijan and create a spiritual uplift.
Success with energy cooperation is evident. Large-scale construction
and development in the country is taking place due to oil revenues and
the operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Bryza expressed
hope that Azerbaijan will expand its energy export opportunities by
contributing to the diversification of gas supply to Europe.
Concerning cooperation in the security sphere, Bryza welcomed the
contribution of Azerbaijan in the international operations of the
coalition forces of Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and appreciated
transportation of cargo for the coalition in Afghanistan through
Azerbaijan. Although the USA has other opportunities to supply goods
to Afghanistan, it is happy to cooperate with Azerbaijan.
When asked about the reason for canceling the second consecutive year
of joint US-Azerbaijani military exercises, Bryza said that question
should be addressed to Azerbaijan. "I can add that the government of
Azerbaijan expressed its desire to plan these exercises, that is,
their inclusion in the schedule," he said.
Matthew Bryza also said the USA and Azerbaijan have been cooperating
in the security sector. "I hope that we will be able to extend this
cooperation to a new sphere - promoting the protection of energy
infrastructure of Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea," Bryza said.
The US Ambassador was also asked about the role of Azerbaijan in
providing sanctions against Iran, and whether there are any
consultations between Baku and Washington on preventing money
laundering from Iran to Azerbaijan.
"Consultations between the USA and Azerbaijan on Iran are serious and
positive,' said Bryza. `Azerbaijan is a positive partner in the fight
against the financing of terrorist organizations and money laundering.
We are grateful to President Ilham Aliyev and the leadership of the
financial monitoring service," Bryza said, adding that Azerbaijan is
working in this direction more actively than other partners.
Bryza did not give a direct answer to a question regarding possible
cooperation on the use of the Gabala radar station, referring to the
fact that he was not an expert on anti-air defense systems. However,
he noted that U.S. policy in the missile defense program is aimed at
protecting itself and its allies against potential threats from Iran.
"The position and activity of the United States and Azerbaijan in the
field of security correspond with each other," Bryza said.
Commenting on the statements of Novruz Mamedov, the head of the
department in the Azerbaijani president's administration, who said the
position of the United States and international organizations on the
Karabakh conflict was unfair, Bryza said there were fair proposals for
the settlement of the conflict. "They only need revision. However,
until the parties reach an agreement, there cannot be talk about an
agreed solution or a balanced approach. The talks are on-going with
the underlying principle that until all issues are agreed, nothing
will be agreed.
The two Presidents have made great progress on the harmonization of
basic principles, but a certain path should be chosen in this
direction."
Bryza was also asked about what kind of assistance the US could offer
Azerbaijan on the issues of democracy. He was also asked about human
rights reports which have been criticized by the State Department.
Bryza said that he had spent a lot of time discussing these issues
with members of the Azerbaijani government. These discussions have
also covered the detention of journalists and protesters.
"We want to establish cooperation with our partners so that Azerbaijan
does not follow political authoritarianism and Islamic extremism - we
want an alternative way. We think that Azerbaijan has chosen the right
path and will continue on it."
Some people may find the reforms risky, but they will contribute to
stability. Bryza welcomed the anti-corruption campaign by the
government and stated that the USA will do its best to support the
process. Concerning the dispersal of the opposition rally and the
arrests of its members, Bryza said the US always supported the freedom
of assembly and would always focus on this issue during the
negotiations with the Azerbaijani government (Turan).
Matthew Bryza: We Want an Alternative Way
BAKU. May 19, 2011: In 20 years since Azerbaijan gained its
independence there has been positive progress in the security and
energy sectors, said Matthew Bryza, the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan,
in his interview to the Voice of America. There are achievements
in the field of internal reforms, although the processes here is
ambiguous. Among the successes in the economy, the ambassador noted
the avoidance of the "Dutch syndrome", and noted reasonable
distribution of the Oil Fund. Speaking on the subject of political
reforms, he noted some regression, such as the arrests of journalists
and bloggers.
"We want to do everything to encourage the rule of law as this is what
the Azerbaijan people must depend on. Anti-corruption reforms
initiated recently by the Azerbaijani government should be continued
by a strong civil society. To achieve this, reforms need to be
consistent," said Bryza.
Congratulating Azerbaijan on the victory of the Eurovision Song
Contest 2011, Bryza hoped that the achievement will strengthen the
confidence of Azerbaijan and create a spiritual uplift.
Success with energy cooperation is evident. Large-scale construction
and development in the country is taking place due to oil revenues and
the operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Bryza expressed
hope that Azerbaijan will expand its energy export opportunities by
contributing to the diversification of gas supply to Europe.
Concerning cooperation in the security sphere, Bryza welcomed the
contribution of Azerbaijan in the international operations of the
coalition forces of Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and appreciated
transportation of cargo for the coalition in Afghanistan through
Azerbaijan. Although the USA has other opportunities to supply goods
to Afghanistan, it is happy to cooperate with Azerbaijan.
When asked about the reason for canceling the second consecutive year
of joint US-Azerbaijani military exercises, Bryza said that question
should be addressed to Azerbaijan. "I can add that the government of
Azerbaijan expressed its desire to plan these exercises, that is,
their inclusion in the schedule," he said.
Matthew Bryza also said the USA and Azerbaijan have been cooperating
in the security sector. "I hope that we will be able to extend this
cooperation to a new sphere - promoting the protection of energy
infrastructure of Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea," Bryza said.
The US Ambassador was also asked about the role of Azerbaijan in
providing sanctions against Iran, and whether there are any
consultations between Baku and Washington on preventing money
laundering from Iran to Azerbaijan.
"Consultations between the USA and Azerbaijan on Iran are serious and
positive,' said Bryza. `Azerbaijan is a positive partner in the fight
against the financing of terrorist organizations and money laundering.
We are grateful to President Ilham Aliyev and the leadership of the
financial monitoring service," Bryza said, adding that Azerbaijan is
working in this direction more actively than other partners.
Bryza did not give a direct answer to a question regarding possible
cooperation on the use of the Gabala radar station, referring to the
fact that he was not an expert on anti-air defense systems. However,
he noted that U.S. policy in the missile defense program is aimed at
protecting itself and its allies against potential threats from Iran.
"The position and activity of the United States and Azerbaijan in the
field of security correspond with each other," Bryza said.
Commenting on the statements of Novruz Mamedov, the head of the
department in the Azerbaijani president's administration, who said the
position of the United States and international organizations on the
Karabakh conflict was unfair, Bryza said there were fair proposals for
the settlement of the conflict. "They only need revision. However,
until the parties reach an agreement, there cannot be talk about an
agreed solution or a balanced approach. The talks are on-going with
the underlying principle that until all issues are agreed, nothing
will be agreed.
The two Presidents have made great progress on the harmonization of
basic principles, but a certain path should be chosen in this
direction."
Bryza was also asked about what kind of assistance the US could offer
Azerbaijan on the issues of democracy. He was also asked about human
rights reports which have been criticized by the State Department.
Bryza said that he had spent a lot of time discussing these issues
with members of the Azerbaijani government. These discussions have
also covered the detention of journalists and protesters.
"We want to establish cooperation with our partners so that Azerbaijan
does not follow political authoritarianism and Islamic extremism - we
want an alternative way. We think that Azerbaijan has chosen the right
path and will continue on it."
Some people may find the reforms risky, but they will contribute to
stability. Bryza welcomed the anti-corruption campaign by the
government and stated that the USA will do its best to support the
process. Concerning the dispersal of the opposition rally and the
arrests of its members, Bryza said the US always supported the freedom
of assembly and would always focus on this issue during the
negotiations with the Azerbaijani government (Turan).