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Brenda Shaffer: â€œAllocation of aid to Nagorno Karabakh is contrary to US policyâ€

19 December 2009 11:08 (UTC +04:00)

According to Shaffer, itâ€™s not the first time that the congress allocated aid to Nagorno Karabakh, but it completely contradicts the US policy. If even the financial aid is allocated, the uses of this money must be shown. If not, the aid money is thrown away from the US tax payers.

Shaffer noted that the Congress, which passed this decision, is not thinking about the US national interests, they are thinking about the interests of Armenian lobby. However, she thinks the US Administration will not support such decision of the Congress.

Commenting on settlement perspectives of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Shaffer stated that itâ€™s critical and quite important to link this process with the opening of Turkey-Armenia borders: â€œThe opening of Turkey-Armenia borders is very significant in terms of progress in Nagorno Karabakh issue. The border issue is only non-military means to encourage Armenia to release some of the territories and it should also be used as an opportunity to promote the Nagorno Karabakh resolution. If it isnâ€™t, I think it will be a huge mistake on Turkeyâ€™s part, on the US part and even on part of Armeniaâ€.

To Shaffer, if the borders are opened Armeniaâ€™s position in Nagorno Karabakh issue will be more severe and thatâ€™s why everything must be linked. She said if the borders are opened and nothing significant happens on the Karabakh it will be very dangerous for the region.