Interview with Professor Michael M. Gunter, Tennessee Technological University, USA.
Q: How do you assess the fact that under the influence of the Armenian lobby, American Senate failed to extend the powers of Matthew Bryza as the US ambassador in Azerbaijan, though even Washington admitted that it is difficult to find a better specialist?
A: The failure of the US Senate to confirm Matthew Bryza as the US ambassador to Azerbaijan is the latest example of how the Armenian lobby in the United States harms US national interest in its one-sided and misguided attempt to promote Armenian interests.
Q: Experts disagree in their opinion regarding possible influence of this decision of the Senate on the US-Azerbaijani relations. What is your opinion?
A: This unfortunate event will certainly hurt US interests in the region and specifically US-Azeri relations to the detriment of over-all US national interests.
Q: Doesn’t Washington fear that such a policy will on the one hand undermine the US image as an unbiased mediator in Karabakh settlement and on the other hand it will strengthen the regional role of other players, for example, Iran?
A: However, this development is unlikely to increase Iranian influence in the region since Iran has little to offer Azerbaijan relative to the possibilities possessed by the United States. Nevertheless, Ambassador Bryza's failure to be confirmed as a result of the activities of the Armenian lobby in the United States will weaken the US image as an impartial mediator.
Q: Is it possible that Azerbaijan, tired of pro-Armenian gesture in US policy, will give away its pro-Western course in favor of cooperation with Russia?
A: Given Russia's support for Armenia, however, it is unlikely that Ambassador Bryza's situation will significantly push Azerbaijan closer to Russia.
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