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MENENDEZ AND SHAHEEN DENOUNCE AZERBAIJAN'S ANTI-ARMENIAN ATTACKS IN MORNINGSTAR CONFIRMATION HEARING
armradio.am
14.06.2012 12:05
Azerbaijan's escalation of violence against Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh and ongoing repression of human rights took center stage
during Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing for
U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan designee Richard Morningstar, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)
In successive questions, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on
Europe Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Robert Menendez
sent a clear message that U.S. - Azerbaijan relations should not solely
be founded on energy concerns and must reflect the fundamental issues
of democracy building and human rights as well as finding a peaceful
and lasting resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
"We join with Armenians in New Jersey, New Hampshire and across
America in thanking Senators Menendez and Shaheen for shining
a spotlight on the failure of the Obama Administration to stand
up to Azerbaijan's escalating threats and acts of anti-Armenian
aggression and worsening human rights record," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. "We were especially gratified, in light of
Baku's recent cross-border attacks into both Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh that Senator Menendez was able to secure assurances from
Ambassador-designate Morningstar regarding the very strict scrutiny
that should be applied to any potential U.S. military transfers or
sales to an Azerbaijani government that has openly pledged to use
its growing arsenal to renew its aggression."
"Azerbaijan's integration with the West can and must span well
beyond pipelines," said Ambassador-designate Morningstar in his
prepared testimony, after underscoring the broad levels of energy and
security cooperation between the U.S. and the Caucasus nation. "The
United States must also continue to work with Azerbaijan on advancing
democratic and economic reforms, including promoting respect for the
rule of law, transparency, and fundamental freedoms." Morningstar
went on to cite that "to achieve a more secure and prosperous future
for the region, there is no higher immediate priority for the United
States than the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."
In his questions to Morningstar, Sen. Menendez called specific
attention to recent cross-border attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia,
threats by President Aliyev that "Armenian will live in fear," and
the assertion that "Our [Azerbaijan's] main enemies are Armenians of
the world." Menendez continued, asking "do you think, based upon those
types of statements, that the proposed sales of military hardware to
be used in conjunction with Azerbaijan's military helicopter fleet
is really in the national interest of the United States?"
Morningstar responded that "that it is fair to say, and I will say,
that any language that is counterproductive, such as you have said,
that any actions by any party that bring about loss of life, as the
Secretary of State said last week, create increased tensions, can
create escalations that can have unpredictable and unforeseeable
consequences and make even more difficult the task of achieving
the settlement in Nagorno Karabakh." He stopped short, however,
of expressly calling out the Azerbaijani Government's aggression
against Armenia.
In terms of military sales to Azerbaijan, Morningstar argued,
"There are increasing tensions with respect to other neighbors,
in particular with Iran. And we have to provide, I think, security
assistance, possibly military assistance in ways that cannot be
used to exacerbate any situation with respect to Armenia or Nagorno
Karabakh." Menendez was quick to respond, reminding Morningstar that
"I didn't hear President Aliyev say 'My main enemy or security concern
is Iran,' he said that, 'Our main enemies are the Armenians of the
world.' [. . .] I have a real problem with going ahead and selling
military hardware to the Azerbaijanis based upon what has happened."
In response to Sen. Menendez's question about why the Azerbaijani
destruction of the Armenian cemetery in Djulfa was not included in
the State Department Religious Freedom Report, Morningstar replied,
". I don't know. But I can say that if I am confirmed I will make every
effort to visit the cemetery and that any kind of desecration such as
that is unacceptable, outrageous and I will do my best to get there,
and soon." Menendez continued undeterred, stating that "I would assume
the only impediment to your best effort will be the Azerbaijanis not
letting you go? I'm trying to understand what your "best effort" is?
You're going to do everything possible to go?" referencing the Aliyev
regime's refusal to allow former Ambassador Bryza to visit the region.
"Yes," replied Morningstar.
As with past nominees, Sen. Menendez pressed Morningstar regarding
his position on the proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
asking "I don't expect you to answer any differently than I have had
previous nominees before this committee do, but I have to ask you
whether or not you contest any of the facts what transpired in 1915
as it relates to 1.5 million Armenians who were brutally massacred
and marched to their deaths in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire?"
Morningstar replied "No, I do not."
Senator Shaheen focused her questions on Azerbaijan's human rights
record and urged Morningstar to do more than "jawboning" in terms of
getting positive movement with regards to democracy building efforts
in the country. She went on to ask Morningstar about the effect of
Israel's proposed $1.5 Billion arms sale and its affects on regional
stability. In his opening remarks, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman John Kerry cited the importance of finding a peaceful
resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Ranking Republican
Richard Lugar (R-IN) focused his questions on the energy sector and
Azerbaijan's role in the region.
Senators have an additional day to submit written questions to
Ambassador-designate Morningstar. No date has yet been scheduled for
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation vote.
armradio.am
14.06.2012 12:05
Azerbaijan's escalation of violence against Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh and ongoing repression of human rights took center stage
during Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing for
U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan designee Richard Morningstar, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)
In successive questions, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on
Europe Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Robert Menendez
sent a clear message that U.S. - Azerbaijan relations should not solely
be founded on energy concerns and must reflect the fundamental issues
of democracy building and human rights as well as finding a peaceful
and lasting resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
"We join with Armenians in New Jersey, New Hampshire and across
America in thanking Senators Menendez and Shaheen for shining
a spotlight on the failure of the Obama Administration to stand
up to Azerbaijan's escalating threats and acts of anti-Armenian
aggression and worsening human rights record," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. "We were especially gratified, in light of
Baku's recent cross-border attacks into both Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh that Senator Menendez was able to secure assurances from
Ambassador-designate Morningstar regarding the very strict scrutiny
that should be applied to any potential U.S. military transfers or
sales to an Azerbaijani government that has openly pledged to use
its growing arsenal to renew its aggression."
"Azerbaijan's integration with the West can and must span well
beyond pipelines," said Ambassador-designate Morningstar in his
prepared testimony, after underscoring the broad levels of energy and
security cooperation between the U.S. and the Caucasus nation. "The
United States must also continue to work with Azerbaijan on advancing
democratic and economic reforms, including promoting respect for the
rule of law, transparency, and fundamental freedoms." Morningstar
went on to cite that "to achieve a more secure and prosperous future
for the region, there is no higher immediate priority for the United
States than the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."
In his questions to Morningstar, Sen. Menendez called specific
attention to recent cross-border attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia,
threats by President Aliyev that "Armenian will live in fear," and
the assertion that "Our [Azerbaijan's] main enemies are Armenians of
the world." Menendez continued, asking "do you think, based upon those
types of statements, that the proposed sales of military hardware to
be used in conjunction with Azerbaijan's military helicopter fleet
is really in the national interest of the United States?"
Morningstar responded that "that it is fair to say, and I will say,
that any language that is counterproductive, such as you have said,
that any actions by any party that bring about loss of life, as the
Secretary of State said last week, create increased tensions, can
create escalations that can have unpredictable and unforeseeable
consequences and make even more difficult the task of achieving
the settlement in Nagorno Karabakh." He stopped short, however,
of expressly calling out the Azerbaijani Government's aggression
against Armenia.
In terms of military sales to Azerbaijan, Morningstar argued,
"There are increasing tensions with respect to other neighbors,
in particular with Iran. And we have to provide, I think, security
assistance, possibly military assistance in ways that cannot be
used to exacerbate any situation with respect to Armenia or Nagorno
Karabakh." Menendez was quick to respond, reminding Morningstar that
"I didn't hear President Aliyev say 'My main enemy or security concern
is Iran,' he said that, 'Our main enemies are the Armenians of the
world.' [. . .] I have a real problem with going ahead and selling
military hardware to the Azerbaijanis based upon what has happened."
In response to Sen. Menendez's question about why the Azerbaijani
destruction of the Armenian cemetery in Djulfa was not included in
the State Department Religious Freedom Report, Morningstar replied,
". I don't know. But I can say that if I am confirmed I will make every
effort to visit the cemetery and that any kind of desecration such as
that is unacceptable, outrageous and I will do my best to get there,
and soon." Menendez continued undeterred, stating that "I would assume
the only impediment to your best effort will be the Azerbaijanis not
letting you go? I'm trying to understand what your "best effort" is?
You're going to do everything possible to go?" referencing the Aliyev
regime's refusal to allow former Ambassador Bryza to visit the region.
"Yes," replied Morningstar.
As with past nominees, Sen. Menendez pressed Morningstar regarding
his position on the proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
asking "I don't expect you to answer any differently than I have had
previous nominees before this committee do, but I have to ask you
whether or not you contest any of the facts what transpired in 1915
as it relates to 1.5 million Armenians who were brutally massacred
and marched to their deaths in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire?"
Morningstar replied "No, I do not."
Senator Shaheen focused her questions on Azerbaijan's human rights
record and urged Morningstar to do more than "jawboning" in terms of
getting positive movement with regards to democracy building efforts
in the country. She went on to ask Morningstar about the effect of
Israel's proposed $1.5 Billion arms sale and its affects on regional
stability. In his opening remarks, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman John Kerry cited the importance of finding a peaceful
resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Ranking Republican
Richard Lugar (R-IN) focused his questions on the energy sector and
Azerbaijan's role in the region.
Senators have an additional day to submit written questions to
Ambassador-designate Morningstar. No date has yet been scheduled for
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation vote.