(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Fatime Letifova
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Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia has been
pursuing a policy of occupying the historical lands of Azerbaijan.
Yerevan's refusal to give up its aggressor character, and
Azerbaijan's desire to liberate its lands fueled the conflict in
the South Caucasus that lasted for almost 30 years.
In November 2020, Azerbaijan ended the protracted conflict. As a
result of the Patriotic War, which lasted only 44 days, the
occupied Garabagh region of Azerbaijan was liberated from the
Armenian occupation. After the local anti-terrorist measures in
2023, the Armenian separatists in Garabagh were neutralized, and
reconstruction and repair work began in the area. Currently, the
migration of residents to almost all regions of Garabagh, including
Shusha, has begun.
The meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia
on May 10 was the first step towards the signing of a peace treaty
in the South Caucasus. However, while the relations between the two
countries are moving toward normalization, the forces that want to
reawaken the chaos and war zones in the region have launched a
counterattack. At first, attempts to remove Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinyan from power were manifested within Armenia. The unrest
that followed this move continues to this day.
However, certain institutions, realizing that domestic protests
and France's incompetent steps will not hinder peace in the region,
have taken action this time.
James O'Brien's next blunder
US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs James O'Brien's prejudice against Azerbaijan is not new. It
led to the cancellation of the planned meeting of the foreign
ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on November 10,
2023, and the de facto rejection of official Baku's mediation by
the United States. A few days later, he decided to meet with the
ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States, as he realized that
James O'Beien's speech in Congress crossed the red lines. At a time
when relations between Azerbaijan and the United States were
strained, Secretary of State Antony Blinken apologized to President
Ilham Aliyev instead and received permission for James O'Brien's
visit to Azerbaijan.
After this disgraceful act, there was no change in James
O'Brien's position. On the contrary, yesterday, within the
framework of his visit to Armenia, he again made accusations
against Azerbaijan.
What are the goals behind the US visit to
Armenia?
The main purpose of James O'Brien's visit to Armenia was to show
that Washington was not indifferent to the events in the region.
Also, the USA shows its support for the current Armenian government
and shows that it does not want Pashinyan to be overthrown. Because
it is considered that the ongoing protests in Armenia were planned
by pro-Russian forces. Washington thereby shows that it is eying
the neighbour Armenia against Russia in this regard.
Another goal is to "compensate" the incompetent policy of the
Macron government. It is no secret that France was trying to
prevent the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. However, Pashinyan did not live up to France's wishes and
expectations, he showed his interest in peace with Azerbaijan.
The joint statement of the final meeting of the Strategic
Dialogue between Armenia and the United States revealed that
Washington does not want peace in the South Caucasus.
The issue of security cooperation between the two countries,
consultations within the framework of cooperation with the Kansas
National Guard, and military training programs were reflected in
the statement. The United States thereby expressed its support for
Armenia in the military field.
The place of the declaration that reflects the opposite position
of Azerbaijan is the phrase "forced refugees and IDPs going to
Armenia from Garabagh".
“The United States acknowledges the ongoing economic
and social challenges Armenia faces in supporting displaced persons
and refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and intends to continue to
assist the Government of Armenia's efforts in this regard. The
United States praised Armenia's efforts to shelter displaced
persons and refugees, and Armenia offered appreciation for the more
than $21 million in humanitarian assistance the United States has
provided to support displaced persons and refugees from
Nagorno-Karabakh since September 2020.”
The information about the forced resettlement of Armenians who
came to Garabagh after the occupation and settled here in Armenia
is incorrect. Azerbaijan offered these people the right to
citizenship in addition to returning to Armenia in peaceful and
comfortable conditions. This humanism was a great gesture for
Armenia compared to the situation of the Azerbaijanis who were
expelled from Garabagh 30 years ago. It should be remembered that
during the occupation of Garabagh, villages were burned, people
were captured, and children, the elderly, and women were killed
with special tortures. Those who were able to escape from the
Armenian oppression continued their lives with psychological and
physical traumas.
The US repeats the "so-called Armenian genocide" scenario by
describing the Armenians who left Garabagh voluntarily as displaced
persons. Claims raised against the Ottomans and Turkiye, now want
to be raised against Azerbaijan.
It should be remembered that Antony Blinken once apologized to
Baku for James O'Brien's wrong move against Azerbaijan. It seems
that O'Brien's change of position will cause the Secretary of State
to make many more apologies to Baku.
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