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Richard Morningstar likely to be appointed U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan
Morningstar's designation seems to be quite reasoned: the envoy for
Eurasian Energy must become a U.S. ambassador.
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held confirmation hearing
for U.S. Ambassador-Designate to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar.
June 16, 2012
PanARMENIAN.Net - Sen. Robert Menendez and Jeanne Shaheen brought to
designee's attention the recent escalation of violence by Azerbaijan
at the border with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. It is worth noting
that in addition to its energy significance, U.S views Azerbaijan as
an important instrument against Russia's presence in the Caucasus.This
is the reason the U.S. is reluctant to clearly respond to Azerbaijan's
continuing provocations against Armenia. Jeanne Shaheen and 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.
However good the senator's intentions might be, since Bill Clinton's
tenure, the White House administration has hoped for Azerbaijani oil
supply to Europe, aiming to use it for reducing Iran's supply to a
minimum. A question emerges on how Azerbaijan, placed 19th with its
oil reserves can compete with Iran, holder of a third of all global
oil stock. Anyway, this is a rhetoric question; the U.S. just sees and
hears what it wants to.
In this regard, Morningstar's designation seems to be quite reasoned:
the envoy for Eurasian Energy must become a U.S. ambassador. While
Matthew Bryza was a person too notorious to become an envoy to Baku,
Morningstar's candidacy is a more serious one, and he will hardly
fail. Being a career diplomat, Richard Morningstar will demonstrate
more responsibility in voicing his statements. This, at least, seems
quite likely.
Speaking at the testimony, Sen. Menendez called specific attention to
recent cross-border attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia, threats by
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev to unleash a war, and his statement
saying that `Azerbaijan's main enemies are Armenians.'
`Do you think, based upon those types of statements that the proposed
sale of military hardware to Azerbaijan is really in the national
interest of the United States?' Menendez asked.
Morningstar responded that `any language that is counterproductive
creates increased tensions and makes even more difficult the task of
achieving the settlement in Nagorno Karabakh.' He stopped short,
however, of expressly calling out Azerbaijan's provocations against
Armenia.
In terms of military sales to Azerbaijan, Morningstar said: `There are
increasing tensions with Iran. And we have to provide military
assistance in ways that cannot be used to exacerbate any situation
with respect to Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh.'
Menendez was quick to respond:`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.'
Morningstar further stated that he is going to personally visit Djugha
and `make every effort to' look into Azerbaijani destruction of the
Armenian cemetery there.
In response to Sen. Menendez's question whether the envoy nominee is
really determined to do so Morningstar replied, `If I am confirmed I
will make every effort to visit the cemetery and I will do my best to
get there, and soon.' Menendez continued:`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?'. `Yes,' replied Morningstar.
Sen. Menendez also pressed Morningstar regarding his position on the
proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide. `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 in the
Ottoman Empire?' he said. Morningstar replied: `No, I do not.'
The Senate Committee will most likely approve of this nomination to
Baku. Of course, the senators may again find some reason to veto this
candidacy; there will be plenty of causes to do so. Yet there is
another circumstance as well: Obama's rating is steadily declining,
and he may well suspend the appointment, unless there is pressure by
the Turkish-Azerbaijani lobby. However, Turkey and Azerbaijan recently
face serious disagreements; these are not publicly voiced since the
Turkish Foreign Ministry believes time has not come yet. Appointment
of the ambassador may be linked to this somehow. In any case, one
thing is clear; the U.S. is taking Azerbaijan and Ilham Aliyev
seriously, and the appointment must take place.
Aliyev's unpredictability and passion for shady deals may push him to
resumption of hostilities, which by no means is in the interests of
either the U.S. or the international community.
Karine Ter-Sahakian
From: Baghdasarian
Morningstar's designation seems to be quite reasoned: the envoy for
Eurasian Energy must become a U.S. ambassador.
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held confirmation hearing
for U.S. Ambassador-Designate to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar.
June 16, 2012
PanARMENIAN.Net - Sen. Robert Menendez and Jeanne Shaheen brought to
designee's attention the recent escalation of violence by Azerbaijan
at the border with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. It is worth noting
that in addition to its energy significance, U.S views Azerbaijan as
an important instrument against Russia's presence in the Caucasus.This
is the reason the U.S. is reluctant to clearly respond to Azerbaijan's
continuing provocations against Armenia. Jeanne Shaheen and 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.
However good the senator's intentions might be, since Bill Clinton's
tenure, the White House administration has hoped for Azerbaijani oil
supply to Europe, aiming to use it for reducing Iran's supply to a
minimum. A question emerges on how Azerbaijan, placed 19th with its
oil reserves can compete with Iran, holder of a third of all global
oil stock. Anyway, this is a rhetoric question; the U.S. just sees and
hears what it wants to.
In this regard, Morningstar's designation seems to be quite reasoned:
the envoy for Eurasian Energy must become a U.S. ambassador. While
Matthew Bryza was a person too notorious to become an envoy to Baku,
Morningstar's candidacy is a more serious one, and he will hardly
fail. Being a career diplomat, Richard Morningstar will demonstrate
more responsibility in voicing his statements. This, at least, seems
quite likely.
Speaking at the testimony, Sen. Menendez called specific attention to
recent cross-border attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia, threats by
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev to unleash a war, and his statement
saying that `Azerbaijan's main enemies are Armenians.'
`Do you think, based upon those types of statements that the proposed
sale of military hardware to Azerbaijan is really in the national
interest of the United States?' Menendez asked.
Morningstar responded that `any language that is counterproductive
creates increased tensions and makes even more difficult the task of
achieving the settlement in Nagorno Karabakh.' He stopped short,
however, of expressly calling out Azerbaijan's provocations against
Armenia.
In terms of military sales to Azerbaijan, Morningstar said: `There are
increasing tensions with Iran. And we have to provide military
assistance in ways that cannot be used to exacerbate any situation
with respect to Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh.'
Menendez was quick to respond:`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.'
Morningstar further stated that he is going to personally visit Djugha
and `make every effort to' look into Azerbaijani destruction of the
Armenian cemetery there.
In response to Sen. Menendez's question whether the envoy nominee is
really determined to do so Morningstar replied, `If I am confirmed I
will make every effort to visit the cemetery and I will do my best to
get there, and soon.' Menendez continued:`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?'. `Yes,' replied Morningstar.
Sen. Menendez also pressed Morningstar regarding his position on the
proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide. `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 in the
Ottoman Empire?' he said. Morningstar replied: `No, I do not.'
The Senate Committee will most likely approve of this nomination to
Baku. Of course, the senators may again find some reason to veto this
candidacy; there will be plenty of causes to do so. Yet there is
another circumstance as well: Obama's rating is steadily declining,
and he may well suspend the appointment, unless there is pressure by
the Turkish-Azerbaijani lobby. However, Turkey and Azerbaijan recently
face serious disagreements; these are not publicly voiced since the
Turkish Foreign Ministry believes time has not come yet. Appointment
of the ambassador may be linked to this somehow. In any case, one
thing is clear; the U.S. is taking Azerbaijan and Ilham Aliyev
seriously, and the appointment must take place.
Aliyev's unpredictability and passion for shady deals may push him to
resumption of hostilities, which by no means is in the interests of
either the U.S. or the international community.
Karine Ter-Sahakian
From: Baghdasarian