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NAGORNO-KARABAKH: THREAT TO U.S. INTERESTS
Jewish News of Greater Phoenix
July 9 2014
Nasimi Aghayev jewishaz.com
As the world's attention remains fixed on events unfolding in Iraq,
Syria and Ukraine, another long-standing conflict threatens to
undermine stability in an important region.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Armenia has illegally occupied
Azerbaijan's region of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding
districts - 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized
territory. Occupying Armenian forces have driven out hundreds of
thousands of Azerbaijani civilians and destroyed priceless cultural
heritage - a heartbreaking case of ethnic cleansing and injustice
that is still intact.
In fact, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the cease-fire that
ended the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. But there is no cause
for celebration, for there has been no progress toward a lasting
and equitable peace. Multiple U.N. resolutions calling on Armenian
forces to withdraw have been ignored: Armenia remains as the occupier
of Azerbaijan's territory and has not allowed refugees to return to
their homes.
The cease-fire in place is fragile. Every year, fighting regularly
breaks out along the frontline, killing scores - including many
civilians. The conflict could easily spiral out of control, leading
to another full-blown war.
This area is vital to the security of the U.S. and to the security
of the region. Therefore, a new war would be devastating both for
the region and U.S. The Caucasus is criss-crossed by oil and gas
pipelines bringing energy from Azerbaijan to the West; Azerbaijan is a
critical forward post in the fight against global terrorism and a vital
transport link for the U.S. troops based in Afghanistan. Stability in
the Caucasus is important for America's regional and global interests.
The crises in Ukraine and the Middle East show that conflicts, if
not handled properly, pose a threat to the interests of the U.S. and
its allies.
Washington has played a role as a mediator since the 1990s. It has
refused to recognize the Armenia-installed regime in Nagorno-Karabakh,
and has recently restated the importance of the full withdrawal
of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan's occupied districts. These are
commendable steps, but they fall short of what must be done to make
Armenia fulfill its legal and moral obligations. As a global leader,
with enormous interests in the region, the U.S. cannot allow Armenia
to continue defying the will of the international community and
threatening peace in the Caucasus.
To this end, the U.S. must be more active and forthright in leading the
global community to condemn Armenia for the occupation, and demand
that it abide by international law. If Armenia does not comply,
the U.S. should impose sanctions on Armenia to compel it to behave
lawfully and responsibly. Without this clear stance and without
pressure on the Armenian government, no resolution will be possible,
and instability and the threat of a new war will remain.
Further complicating the situation, recent political developments in
the U.S. have created new tensions. In May, in an unusual foray into
foreign policy, the California State Assembly passed a resolution AJR
32 calling for recognition of the illegal Nagorno-Karabakh regime -
which neither the U.S. nor any other country has recognized as an
independent entity.
These developments are driven by ethnic special interest groups, which
actively work to damage the U.S.-Azerbaijan strategic partnership and -
by extension - U.S. interests in the region, and defend at all costs
the military occupation of Azerbaijan's lands. The Azerbaijani people
are watching these events and cannot understand why such hostile
actions are being taken in the U.S. against a trusted friend.
It only makes sense that the U.S. government should work to prevent the
adoption of such biased and flawed resolutions by state legislatures,
which justify ethnic cleansing, violate international law and
contradict American foreign policy and American interests.
Doing so would demonstrate America's values to the people of the
region, and strengthen its global leadership in restoring justice and
stability in the Caucasus. The region has waited 20 years for peace:
It is now long overdue to undertake real actions to bring it about.
Nasimi Aghayev is consul general of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles. His
consular district includes Arizona. This commentary was originally
posted July 2 on thehill.com and is reprinted by permission of
the author.
http://www.jewishaz.com/opinion/commentary/nagorno-karabakh-threat-to-u-s-interests/article_4ccd0172-06e5-11e4-9c6f-0017a43b2370.html
Jewish News of Greater Phoenix
July 9 2014
Nasimi Aghayev jewishaz.com
As the world's attention remains fixed on events unfolding in Iraq,
Syria and Ukraine, another long-standing conflict threatens to
undermine stability in an important region.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Armenia has illegally occupied
Azerbaijan's region of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding
districts - 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized
territory. Occupying Armenian forces have driven out hundreds of
thousands of Azerbaijani civilians and destroyed priceless cultural
heritage - a heartbreaking case of ethnic cleansing and injustice
that is still intact.
In fact, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the cease-fire that
ended the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. But there is no cause
for celebration, for there has been no progress toward a lasting
and equitable peace. Multiple U.N. resolutions calling on Armenian
forces to withdraw have been ignored: Armenia remains as the occupier
of Azerbaijan's territory and has not allowed refugees to return to
their homes.
The cease-fire in place is fragile. Every year, fighting regularly
breaks out along the frontline, killing scores - including many
civilians. The conflict could easily spiral out of control, leading
to another full-blown war.
This area is vital to the security of the U.S. and to the security
of the region. Therefore, a new war would be devastating both for
the region and U.S. The Caucasus is criss-crossed by oil and gas
pipelines bringing energy from Azerbaijan to the West; Azerbaijan is a
critical forward post in the fight against global terrorism and a vital
transport link for the U.S. troops based in Afghanistan. Stability in
the Caucasus is important for America's regional and global interests.
The crises in Ukraine and the Middle East show that conflicts, if
not handled properly, pose a threat to the interests of the U.S. and
its allies.
Washington has played a role as a mediator since the 1990s. It has
refused to recognize the Armenia-installed regime in Nagorno-Karabakh,
and has recently restated the importance of the full withdrawal
of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan's occupied districts. These are
commendable steps, but they fall short of what must be done to make
Armenia fulfill its legal and moral obligations. As a global leader,
with enormous interests in the region, the U.S. cannot allow Armenia
to continue defying the will of the international community and
threatening peace in the Caucasus.
To this end, the U.S. must be more active and forthright in leading the
global community to condemn Armenia for the occupation, and demand
that it abide by international law. If Armenia does not comply,
the U.S. should impose sanctions on Armenia to compel it to behave
lawfully and responsibly. Without this clear stance and without
pressure on the Armenian government, no resolution will be possible,
and instability and the threat of a new war will remain.
Further complicating the situation, recent political developments in
the U.S. have created new tensions. In May, in an unusual foray into
foreign policy, the California State Assembly passed a resolution AJR
32 calling for recognition of the illegal Nagorno-Karabakh regime -
which neither the U.S. nor any other country has recognized as an
independent entity.
These developments are driven by ethnic special interest groups, which
actively work to damage the U.S.-Azerbaijan strategic partnership and -
by extension - U.S. interests in the region, and defend at all costs
the military occupation of Azerbaijan's lands. The Azerbaijani people
are watching these events and cannot understand why such hostile
actions are being taken in the U.S. against a trusted friend.
It only makes sense that the U.S. government should work to prevent the
adoption of such biased and flawed resolutions by state legislatures,
which justify ethnic cleansing, violate international law and
contradict American foreign policy and American interests.
Doing so would demonstrate America's values to the people of the
region, and strengthen its global leadership in restoring justice and
stability in the Caucasus. The region has waited 20 years for peace:
It is now long overdue to undertake real actions to bring it about.
Nasimi Aghayev is consul general of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles. His
consular district includes Arizona. This commentary was originally
posted July 2 on thehill.com and is reprinted by permission of
the author.
http://www.jewishaz.com/opinion/commentary/nagorno-karabakh-threat-to-u-s-interests/article_4ccd0172-06e5-11e4-9c6f-0017a43b2370.html