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US ENVOY MULLS TIES WITH AZERBAIJAN, KARABAKH CONFLICT, REGIONAL SECURITY
Zerkalo, Azerbaijan
April 27 2013
LENGTH: 804 words
The US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Richard Morningstar, has discussed
bilateral ties, the Karabakh conflict, regional challenges and the
Azerbaijani government's criticism of the US National Democratic
Institute, in an interview with the Zerkalo newspaper on 27 April.
Morningstar said that despite little progress in the negotiation
process over the past 20 years, the USA is committed to seeking
peaceful ways of resolving the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over
Nagornyy-Karabakh.
"Azerbaijan is naturally disappointed by the fact that after 20
years, little progress has been observed in terms of the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict. I understand that the Nagornyy-Karabakh
problem is a painful issue for all Azerbaijanis. Nevertheless, we
intend to continue joint efforts within the OSCE Minsk Group to seek
ways to resolve the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over Karabakh. To
ensure that the process takes a positive turn, we, together with the
leaders of the countries, are trying to formulate creative ideas and
initiatives. I know that our co-chair in the Minsk Group of the OSCE,
together with mediators from France and Russia, are doing their best to
achieve positive changes in the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Armenian
conflict over Karabakh. Nevertheless, the end result of the process
of settlement of the Karabakh conflict does not largely depend on the
OSCE Minsk Group. The Minsk Group can only facilitate the settlement
of the conflict. It cannot compel. The problem will only be solved
after each side demonstrates a political will to this end," he said.
Possibility of fresh hostilities between Azerbaijan, Armenia
Morningstar said he does not believe there will be a resumption in
hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying that neither side
is interested in this.
"We do hope that hostilities will not be resumed. We do not believe
either Azerbaijan or Armenia are interested in resuming hostilities.
The OSCE Minsk Group needs to create such a situation when the sides
will not take incorrect decisions that can lead to armed conflict. It
is necessary that the OSCE Minsk Group should consistently urge the
sides to the conflict not to take erroneous steps," he said.
He went on to say that the USA is doing its best to uphold security
in the Caucasus region.
"Washington will continue opposing any use of force in the region. We
cooperate with Azerbaijan in the area of security. This cooperation
involves providing security in the Caspian Basin. We are working to
elaborate a necessary strategy in order to protect vital infrastructure
in the Caspian Sea," Morningstar said.
He added that the USA is working with regional countries to minimize
threats to regional security.
"We have close partner relations in the fight against terrorism. There
is strong cooperation between Washington and Baku regarding
Afghanistan. While the USA cannot provide collective security
guarantees, the way NATO can, we believe that as a result of the
implementation of appropriate measures, we have recently managed to
significantly reduce the risk of conflict in the region," he said.
Trans-Caspian oil pipeline
Asked about the USA's stance regarding the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline,
Morningstar said that that his country has great hopes for the success
of the project that is meant to transport natural gas to Europe.
"We support the implementation of this project. The negotiations
involving the EU, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan continue and we hope
that they will be successful. The final investment decision regarding
the Sah-Daniz [gas field] project should be taken this year. We have
great hopes that there will be progress in the formation of the South
Corridor through which natural gas will be transported to Europe,"
he said.
Criticism of National Democratic Institute
Morningstar rebuffed the Azeri authorities' criticism of the US
National Democratic Institute (NDI), saying that the NDI's activities
have always been transparent and that it has never sided with any
political parties.
"I can say unambiguously that the NDI has no interest whatsoever in
fuelling unrest in Azerbaijan. NDI and employees of this organization
have always supported and welcomed the development of democracy in
Azerbaijan. The NDI has never worked specifically with political
parties. It worked with non-governmental organizations, including
pro-government NGOs. The NDI's activities in Azerbaijan have always
been transparent. Regarding the forthcoming presidential election in
Azerbaijan I can say that election year is always a difficult period,"
he said.
[Translated from Russian]
Zerkalo, Azerbaijan
April 27 2013
LENGTH: 804 words
The US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Richard Morningstar, has discussed
bilateral ties, the Karabakh conflict, regional challenges and the
Azerbaijani government's criticism of the US National Democratic
Institute, in an interview with the Zerkalo newspaper on 27 April.
Morningstar said that despite little progress in the negotiation
process over the past 20 years, the USA is committed to seeking
peaceful ways of resolving the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over
Nagornyy-Karabakh.
"Azerbaijan is naturally disappointed by the fact that after 20
years, little progress has been observed in terms of the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict. I understand that the Nagornyy-Karabakh
problem is a painful issue for all Azerbaijanis. Nevertheless, we
intend to continue joint efforts within the OSCE Minsk Group to seek
ways to resolve the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over Karabakh. To
ensure that the process takes a positive turn, we, together with the
leaders of the countries, are trying to formulate creative ideas and
initiatives. I know that our co-chair in the Minsk Group of the OSCE,
together with mediators from France and Russia, are doing their best to
achieve positive changes in the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Armenian
conflict over Karabakh. Nevertheless, the end result of the process
of settlement of the Karabakh conflict does not largely depend on the
OSCE Minsk Group. The Minsk Group can only facilitate the settlement
of the conflict. It cannot compel. The problem will only be solved
after each side demonstrates a political will to this end," he said.
Possibility of fresh hostilities between Azerbaijan, Armenia
Morningstar said he does not believe there will be a resumption in
hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying that neither side
is interested in this.
"We do hope that hostilities will not be resumed. We do not believe
either Azerbaijan or Armenia are interested in resuming hostilities.
The OSCE Minsk Group needs to create such a situation when the sides
will not take incorrect decisions that can lead to armed conflict. It
is necessary that the OSCE Minsk Group should consistently urge the
sides to the conflict not to take erroneous steps," he said.
He went on to say that the USA is doing its best to uphold security
in the Caucasus region.
"Washington will continue opposing any use of force in the region. We
cooperate with Azerbaijan in the area of security. This cooperation
involves providing security in the Caspian Basin. We are working to
elaborate a necessary strategy in order to protect vital infrastructure
in the Caspian Sea," Morningstar said.
He added that the USA is working with regional countries to minimize
threats to regional security.
"We have close partner relations in the fight against terrorism. There
is strong cooperation between Washington and Baku regarding
Afghanistan. While the USA cannot provide collective security
guarantees, the way NATO can, we believe that as a result of the
implementation of appropriate measures, we have recently managed to
significantly reduce the risk of conflict in the region," he said.
Trans-Caspian oil pipeline
Asked about the USA's stance regarding the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline,
Morningstar said that that his country has great hopes for the success
of the project that is meant to transport natural gas to Europe.
"We support the implementation of this project. The negotiations
involving the EU, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan continue and we hope
that they will be successful. The final investment decision regarding
the Sah-Daniz [gas field] project should be taken this year. We have
great hopes that there will be progress in the formation of the South
Corridor through which natural gas will be transported to Europe,"
he said.
Criticism of National Democratic Institute
Morningstar rebuffed the Azeri authorities' criticism of the US
National Democratic Institute (NDI), saying that the NDI's activities
have always been transparent and that it has never sided with any
political parties.
"I can say unambiguously that the NDI has no interest whatsoever in
fuelling unrest in Azerbaijan. NDI and employees of this organization
have always supported and welcomed the development of democracy in
Azerbaijan. The NDI has never worked specifically with political
parties. It worked with non-governmental organizations, including
pro-government NGOs. The NDI's activities in Azerbaijan have always
been transparent. Regarding the forthcoming presidential election in
Azerbaijan I can say that election year is always a difficult period,"
he said.
[Translated from Russian]