Interview with Fikrat Sadikhov, Azerbaijani political scientist.
Q: How would you comment on the fact that unlike the strong resistance of Armenian lobby, President Obama appointed Matthew Bryza the US ambassador in Azerbaijan despite the strong resistance of the Armenian lobby?
A: Considering all, the US president demonstrated firmness, principality and insisted on the candidacy, rejected by the Senate. This is worthy of a praise and this proves the president’s intention to expand and improve relations with Azerbaijan. This means that Obama views Azerbaijan as a key player in the South Caucasus and important partner in issues of energy and regional security.
This is a very important step of the US president, since there were many discussions around it, there were even doubts that he will be able to insist on this candidacy. And what he has done proves Obama’s intention to further realize his strategic interests in our region via its plenipotentiary representatives.
Q: Does it mean the US authorities have realized the fact that a delay in the ambassador appointment primarily damaged the US interests?
A: I think today the White House understands that the protracted procedure of appointing the ambassador which has been absent in Baku for a very long time, certainly caused the cooling in the Azerbaijani-American relations. There were numerous comments, misunderstandings on this issue, which certainly did not do any honor to such a country as the United States. Therefore, I think that the issue is completed and the fact that Bryza is a person who knows the region well, understands regional problems, will promote further improvement of the Azerbaijani-American relations.
Q: Does the appointment show the US intention to revive its role of an active player in our region, or this activeness has recently decreased?
A: Yes, this decrease is obvious. On the whole, in 2010 the US activeness was not observed in the region, in particular, in the issue of resolution of the Karabakh conflict. Russia, its leader, who mediated several trilateral format, have demonstrated a great activeness here.
I think Bryza’s appointment, the firmness of the US leadership, demonstrated, must become the first steps on the way of intensification of the US role in our region. I want to hope that this will not be the only step of the White House in relation to Azerbaijan. We understand that in conditions of the US active participation in the resolution of a number of conflict situations in other regions, issues are settled very clearly, principally, on the basis of definite interests. Iraq, Afghanistan and so on are the clear examples. Therefore, I think the understanding of Azerbaijan’s importance for the United States has grown. We want to believe that in 2011 the United States will be more active in the resolution of the conflict and will not distance from the problems of our region, anyway.
Lala B.
News.Az
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