Azernews.Az

Recent anti-American statements made in Azerbaijan stem from "the real environment", a senior official has said, substantiating the strongly-worded rhetoric by Washington’s recent steps.
Ali Hasanov, the head of the Presidential Administration socio-political department, told reporters on Friday that the Azerbaijani government has repeatedly made calls on different institutions representing the U.S., which is one of the three countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh and has a crucial stance on the conflict settlement. Baku warned them to be somewhat cautious in providing assistance to Armenia and their efforts to extricate the country from predicament.
Hasanov noted that the US administration’s latest steps have perturbed the Azerbaijani public.
"The U.S., without making substantial efforts at resolving the Upper Garabagh problem, is trying to extricate Armenia from [a dire] situation. Why? Because Armenia has been sidelined from trans-national projects being implemented in the region due to occupying Azerbaijani territory, its situation is increasingly deteriorating, and its population is fleeing the country. Rectifying the situation in Armenia, in the opinion of our own and that of the progressive world, should dwell upon ending the policy of occupation…All this is justly causing discontent of the Azerbaijani public. Therefore, they shouldn’t blame anyone for anti-American statements."
According to Hasanov, the U.S. should look for the cause of such statements primarily in Congress, which determines Washington’s political course, and US government agencies and non-governmental organizations, which often pass decisions under the influence of the Armenian lobby.
According to him, Azerbaijani policymakers have always taken into account US interests, however, the U.S. has not reciprocated this approach and, on the contrary, is pursuing a policy of supporting hostile Armenia.
"The U.S. considers Azerbaijan a strategic ally. In the fight against international terrorism, Azerbaijan was the first Muslim state to stand by America’s side. Azerbaijan nearly spoilt its relations with other Muslim countries over this. Also, Azerbaijan has consistently taken into consideration American interests in its energy policy. And there are other issues as well."
The presidential administration official’s statement enables a conclusion that Baku has begun taking adequate steps countering the mentioned US policy.
"Why should Azerbaijan display a friendly and partner-like attitude toward a country that does not display a normal, friendly and partner-like attitude? In this sense, the Azerbaijani authorities and public are taking adequate steps and continue seeking alternative ways for resolving the Upper Garabagh problem," said Hasanov.
He also criticized the US activity as a Minsk Group co-chair, saying America’s representation in the mediating institution has brought no benefits to Azerbaijan.
First Vice-Speaker Ziyafat Asgarov concurred with the presidential administration official.
"The U.S. and other Minsk Group co-chairing countries’ outright support for Armenia has resulted in Yerevan’s backtracking even from the previously-agreed issues regarding the Upper Garabagh issue.
"If the U.S. considers us a strategic ally, we call on it to be fair. We demand that the Minsk Group co-chairs be fair and stop pressuring Turkey. They are telling Turkey that Armenia may stick to its policy of occupation, but you should definitely open up the border. I am disappointed that neither Russia, nor France or the U.S. is displaying a fair position on the matter."
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and claims on 1915 "genocide". In October 2009, the two governments signed agreements to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders. However, Turkish officials have assured Azerbaijan, Turkey’s ally, that the border will not open until progress is achieved in settling the Garabagh conflict.*