The Azerbaijani diaspora in the USA is campaigning in support of Matthew Bryza, the designated envoy to Baku.
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on 3 August postponed until September a final vote on Matthew Bryza's candidacy, following concern from Senator Barabara Boxer.
Bryza's candidacy is opposed by Armenian lobby groups in the USA. They say that as deputy assistant secretary of European and Eurasian affairs and an OSCE mediator on the Karabakh conflict, Matthew Bryza has shown bias towards Azerbaijan. They also voice concern at potential conflicts of interest with the work of Bryza's Turkish-born wife, Zeyno Baran, at the think-tank the Hudson Institute.
"The Armenian diaspora has been doing its utmost to oppose Matthew Bryza’s candidacy as ambassador to Azerbaijan. They have been trying to raise issues that have nothing to do with Bryza and specially not his work in Baku," Fariz Hasanov, an Azerbaijani diaspora activist, told APA news agency.
Another diaspora member, Sabit Karimov, said: “The Armenian diaspora sent letters to frivolous media which are ready to debate anything anytime and are just looking for scandal. They have also been sending provocative letters to members of the Senate.”
"Right now we are sending letters to members of the Senate and newspapers, regional experts, to explain that the Bryza issue is just another political game for the Armenians," activist Samira Valiyeva said. "The Armenians would oppose any initiative that might be good for Azerbaijan."
News.Az
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