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WPS Agency (Russia)
May 18, 2012 Friday
DOLLARS FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH
Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, No 89, May 18, 2012, p. 1
BY: Yuri Roks
THE UNITED STATES MIGHT OFFER DIRECT FINANCIAL AID TO THE
SELF-PROCLAIMED NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC DENIED INTERNATIONAL
RECOGNITION; Official Washington is aiding the non-recognized
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Some U.S. representatives suggested upping financial aid to the
unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in 2013 from $2 million to $5
million. The idea to cut financial aid to Armenia by $7.5 million was
turned down simultaneously. These reports from Washington could not
help making official Baku mad.
Ashot Guljan, Chairman of the Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh,
confirmed that American financial aid might be upped to $5 million
indeed but counselled caution. "It will be wrong to attach too much
importance to what was suggested. This is but the first element of the
American intricate political machinery. At the very least, the idea
will have to be approved by the U.S. Congress," said the
parliamentarian.
As a matter of fact, this is not the first time that the United States
aids the non-recognized republic. Nagorno-Karabakh has received sum
total of $70 million from the United States since 1998. Guljan said,
"One of the latest transactions from the United States... was used to
sweep a district of Nagorno-Karabakh of landmines. The money went to a
local organization that won the special contest."
According to Guljan, official Baku never misses a chance to interfere
and either prevent transactions to Nagorno-Karabakh or, failing that,
to cut the sum.
In any event, direct American financial aid to a self-proclaimed state
denied recognition by the international community is something
unprecedented. Neither the self-proclaimed Trans-Dniester Moldovan
Republic nor South Ossetia with Abkhazia can count on a single USD
from official Washington. Konstantin Zatulin, Director of the
Institute of CIS Countries, attributed Washington's generosity in this
particular case to lobbying efforts of the powerful Armenian diaspora.
"I cannot say for sure if there are Armenians in the U.S. Congress at
this point but it does not really matter. Interests of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh in Washington are promoted by representatives of the
states where the Armenians occupy positions of power and wield
considerable clout with local communities," said Zatulin. "Other
self-proclaimed republics on the territory of the former Soviet Union
cannot boast of so formidable lobbyists across the ocean. This is why
they cannot count on financial or any other aid from the United
States... It should be noted, however, that the Americans maintain a
kind of parity. The Armenians are strong in the U.S. Congress whereas
the U.S. Department of State is more pro-Azerbaijani."
Zatulin said, "As a matter of fact, Russia too could be aiding both
Nagorno-Karabakh and, say, Azerbaijani refugees. After all, Moscow and
Yerevan belong to one and the same military alliance. As for Baku,
Moscow is trying to maintain even relations with it too.
Unfortunately, its every effort in this sphere is thwarted by
Azerbaijan itself backed by the West. It is never said out loud but it
is implied that what is permitted the United States is not to be
permitted Russia... Needless to say, it does nothing to strengthen
Russia's positions in this extremely problematic region. There is also
the problem of Iran to bear in mind. The impression is that Azerbaijan
will actually welcome the conflict [with Iran in the hope that its
participation in the operation against Iran will be rewarded by
permission to it to reconquer Nagorno-Karabakh."
Sources in Stepanakert confirmed that the self-proclaimed republic
owed American financial aid to the Armenian diaspora and specifically
to the Armenian National Congress of America.
WPS'2012
[translated from Russian]
May 18, 2012 Friday
DOLLARS FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH
Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, No 89, May 18, 2012, p. 1
BY: Yuri Roks
THE UNITED STATES MIGHT OFFER DIRECT FINANCIAL AID TO THE
SELF-PROCLAIMED NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC DENIED INTERNATIONAL
RECOGNITION; Official Washington is aiding the non-recognized
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Some U.S. representatives suggested upping financial aid to the
unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in 2013 from $2 million to $5
million. The idea to cut financial aid to Armenia by $7.5 million was
turned down simultaneously. These reports from Washington could not
help making official Baku mad.
Ashot Guljan, Chairman of the Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh,
confirmed that American financial aid might be upped to $5 million
indeed but counselled caution. "It will be wrong to attach too much
importance to what was suggested. This is but the first element of the
American intricate political machinery. At the very least, the idea
will have to be approved by the U.S. Congress," said the
parliamentarian.
As a matter of fact, this is not the first time that the United States
aids the non-recognized republic. Nagorno-Karabakh has received sum
total of $70 million from the United States since 1998. Guljan said,
"One of the latest transactions from the United States... was used to
sweep a district of Nagorno-Karabakh of landmines. The money went to a
local organization that won the special contest."
According to Guljan, official Baku never misses a chance to interfere
and either prevent transactions to Nagorno-Karabakh or, failing that,
to cut the sum.
In any event, direct American financial aid to a self-proclaimed state
denied recognition by the international community is something
unprecedented. Neither the self-proclaimed Trans-Dniester Moldovan
Republic nor South Ossetia with Abkhazia can count on a single USD
from official Washington. Konstantin Zatulin, Director of the
Institute of CIS Countries, attributed Washington's generosity in this
particular case to lobbying efforts of the powerful Armenian diaspora.
"I cannot say for sure if there are Armenians in the U.S. Congress at
this point but it does not really matter. Interests of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh in Washington are promoted by representatives of the
states where the Armenians occupy positions of power and wield
considerable clout with local communities," said Zatulin. "Other
self-proclaimed republics on the territory of the former Soviet Union
cannot boast of so formidable lobbyists across the ocean. This is why
they cannot count on financial or any other aid from the United
States... It should be noted, however, that the Americans maintain a
kind of parity. The Armenians are strong in the U.S. Congress whereas
the U.S. Department of State is more pro-Azerbaijani."
Zatulin said, "As a matter of fact, Russia too could be aiding both
Nagorno-Karabakh and, say, Azerbaijani refugees. After all, Moscow and
Yerevan belong to one and the same military alliance. As for Baku,
Moscow is trying to maintain even relations with it too.
Unfortunately, its every effort in this sphere is thwarted by
Azerbaijan itself backed by the West. It is never said out loud but it
is implied that what is permitted the United States is not to be
permitted Russia... Needless to say, it does nothing to strengthen
Russia's positions in this extremely problematic region. There is also
the problem of Iran to bear in mind. The impression is that Azerbaijan
will actually welcome the conflict [with Iran in the hope that its
participation in the operation against Iran will be rewarded by
permission to it to reconquer Nagorno-Karabakh."
Sources in Stepanakert confirmed that the self-proclaimed republic
owed American financial aid to the Armenian diaspora and specifically
to the Armenian National Congress of America.
WPS'2012
[translated from Russian]