Interview with Jason Katz, principal of the Tool Shed Group, a US-based consultancy that advises foreign governments.
Q: Baku and the Azeri diaspora in the US have condemned the decision of the US House and Senate to allocate $8 million in direct aid to Nagorno-Karabakh as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget. How would you comment on that?
A: Although the $8 million allocation of US aid to Nagorno Karabakh is tiny in comparison to other US aid amounts, this allocation is more important for what it represents — a lack of wisdom and undue influence on the part of some members of the US Congress.
Direct US support of the occupier of another nation’s land is a bad precedent, particularly at this juncture in US foreign policy and as the US endeavours to build credibility abroad.
The reality is that Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and there are a million internally displaced Azerbaijanis waiting to go home to it and the surrounding occupied areas. These facts are not in dispute by any reasonable or credible party. It is a matter of the internationally and US-recognized territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. This direct aid to a non-governmental actor affects the credibility of the US Congress, in particular, and the US government, in general.
For Azerbaijan, the dollar amount of the aid is of little significance. Azerbaijan’s economy dwarfs that of the Nagorno- Karabakh area of Azerbaijan and that of its benefactor, Armenia. There is just no competition for Azerbaijan in this realm. Of course, this situation is directly related to Armenia’s isolation in the region as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
As I have stated many times before, this unwillingness to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has left Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in the third world.
The concern for Baku is the symbolism of the allocation of direct US aid to a non-government, occupying entity. It calls into question the US Congress’s understanding of the region and what is in the best interests of US foreign policy. It also illustrates the need for more outreach and public diplomacy efforts by Azerbaijan in the US. Making the case that the US aid allocation to Nagorno-Karabakh is at the expense one of the USA’s closest regional allies is important and essential.
I applaud Baku’s vocal reaction to this situation and that of the Azeri diaspora. Those members of Congress who are beholden to small constituencies of political contributors and not to the interests of the US should be called on the carpet, so to speak.
Q: Don’t you think that this decision harms the US role as a mediator of a Karabakh settlement?
A: Yes, this action has the potential to harm the USA’s role as a mediator of the Karabakh settlement. However, I think this is unlikely. In the US, Congress has the opportunity to set policy through the power of the purse strings, as it is able to fund government initiatives. However, foreign policy decisions fall under the purview of the Executive, though whether Congress wants to admit this is another matter. I believe that the US, although slow to act, does see Azerbaijan as an important ally and will conduct itself accordingly. Again, active outreach and public diplomacy are essential for ensuring positive outcomes in this regard.
Q: Is it possible that Baku will now prefer Russia as a major mediator to the US?
A: I hope not. From my perspective, the US is a much more reliable partner and ally. The Russian Federation seems to always be looking at an angle — how to use a situation or negotiations to further its own agenda.
Q: Is it unfair that sometimes the interests of the Armenian diaspora take precedence over the USA’s own interests in the South Caucasus?
A: I am not sure if unfair is the right term. However, it has always dismayed me that lobbying by one relatively small constituency of voters and contributors could, on occasion, turn US foreign policy against itself. Let’s be clear, this move by the US Congress, as well as others that have come at the expense of Azerbaijan are a result of a core of members of Congress who have become beholden to and frightened of their political contributors and constituencies. The fact is that the Armenian diaspora and their various political organizations are very well organized and funded. They are also very adept at playing American politics.
I am happy to say, however, that the Azeri community and Azerbaijan through their public diplomacy efforts are disseminating real facts to decision and policy makers in the USA. This, as well as other efforts, makes it increasingly difficult for the Armenian diaspora to sport their “version” of reality.
Jason Katz* is the principal of the Tool Shed Group, a consultancy that advises foreign governments, including the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He is also the former head of public affairs for the American Jewish Committee.
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