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Azerbaijani politicians condemn US support for Armenia - POLL

Azerbaijani politicians condemn US support for Armenia - <font color=red>POLL</font>

16 April 2010 15:46 (UTC +04:00)

Ziyafat Asgarov says Armenia even backtracks on the issues it had agreed before.
â€œIt means that direct support of the US and other co-chairing countries of Minsk Group caused this. We are not satisfied with the situation. We demand from the Minsk Group co-chairs once more to be fair, assess the issue objectively and give up exerting pressure on Turkey. Erdogan said the borders were closed in 1993, Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories. Pressure is exerted on Turkey for opening the border, Armenia can continue its criminal actions there. What does it mean? I regret that the US, France and Russia do not demonstrate fair position. We are pursuing an independent policy. Azerbaijan will cooperate with the states, which will not take steps contradicting Azerbaijanâ€™s national interests. If the policy contradicting our national interests is pursued, someone tries to give orders to us, we will certainly react strongly,â€ he said.

Deputy chairman of New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), parliamentarian Ali Ahmadov says there have been a number of initiatives to settle Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the issue on opening of the borders has also been brought to the agenda.
â€œThe US and a number of western states support it. Principally, the opening of the borders between the two states depends on the relations between the two countries. But despite this, western states and especially US exert serious pressure on Turkey for opening the borders. Though the US is one of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, it is against the linking of the opening of borders and Nagorno Karabakh problem. With this the US makes two significant mistakes. First, it interferes in the relations between the two states, exerts pressure on one side, it is not right in terms of the norms of the international law. Secondly, the US as a co-chair of Minsk Group does not fulfill its mission. The US shows that it is not going to profit by the opening of Armenia-Turkey border within the stipulation of the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict. With this the US shows that it does not intend to help solve the conflict. If it had such an intention, it would exert pressures on Armenia first of all. Taking this into account the USâ€™ position, which is unfair, contradicts the norms of the international law, is an example of double standards, causes protest of every citizen. This in general casts shadow on the mediation mission of Minsk Group,â€ he said.

Chairman of the parliamentâ€™s committee for legal policy and statehood, MP Ali Huseynov says though Azerbaijan â€“ US relations has little history, they have great importance.
â€œThese relations base on political, economic roots and have strategic character.

Unfortunately, the new US administration pursues a policy damaging these relations. Those people who are forming this policy are not able to correctly value the economic and geopolitical position of Azerbaijan in the region. Turkish Foreign Ministerâ€™s statement on the latest developments showed that this is not only our idea. A number of European officials are also thinking so. The US administration should know that Azerbaijan would not suffer from this relation. It doesnâ€™t concern us. The time will come US will understand that it suffers from this relation if they correctly analyze the situationâ€.

Chairman of the Great System Party Fazil Mustafa called the developments as a continuation of the US policy. â€œThe US attitude is against us. We have to resist to thatâ€.

Chairman of the All Azerbaijan Popular Front Party MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev said he condemned US efforts to pull out Armenia from the current situation. In his opinion, that US actions stimulate the separatism in the world and serve violation of peace and stability. â€œThis is a sign of US double-standard policy. Sometimes US allies in NATO also acknowledges that their policy contribute to the tensions in the world. I think that Azerbaijan should strongly express protest. We have to strongly condemn the US policy today. The United States should be a guarantor of international law, but not to violate itâ€.

Political analyst Mubariz Ahmadoglu told APA that Armenia was a source of tension in the region. â€œArmenia is a source of separatism in the region. If the United States supports Armenia, it means it advocates for tensions, separatism and economic problems in the regionâ€.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party MP Asim Mollazadeh related the latest developments to the US domestic problems. â€œObama promised many things to the Armenian Diaspora during the election campaign, but he can not fulfill it because it is against the national interests of the United States. The United States will hold the elections to the Congress this year and public opinion polls predict defeat of democrats. They pressure on Turkey to serve the Armenians. But it is against the national interests and security of the United States. I think we have to be capable of great endurance. Azerbaijan and Turkey should continue their way, to protect their fair position in the world and to take joint actions. I donâ€™t think that it is possible to force Turkey to do something under the pressure. Azerbaijan is also able to defend its fair national interestsâ€.