Azernews.Az

Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza has reportedly criticized the Obama administration`s policy on the South Caucasus states in a recent speech at a Washington-based think-tank.

``The US government believes that we have focused all of our priorities on the South Caucasus, but the countries in the region do not feel that. To the contrary, they feel deceived,`` Bryza said addressing analysts and diplomats at the Jamestown Foundation, Azerbaijani news agency Turan reported.

In particular, Bryza was highly critical of the White House`s ``trying to ignore`` Azerbaijan`s stance in the efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia, Azerbaijan`s long-time foe.

``Turkish-Armenian normalization would be great, if attainable,`` he said. ``But it is unattainable. Moreover, it adversely affects the peace process on Nagorno Karabakh [conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan]. And no matter how much we aspired toward an Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, we didn`t get anywhere.``

Turkey and Armenia do not have diplomatic relations and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993. Armenia`s occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan, Turkey`s ally, and Yerevan`s ``genocide`` claims have been obstacles to normal relations between the two countries. In October 2009, the two governments signed two protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders. However, the documents require parliamentary approval, and Turkish officials have assured Azerbaijan that the protocols will not pass in the country`s parliament until progress is made in resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

On a possible Nagorno Karabakh peace accord, Bryza said it should not be expected until the US government tackles the issue on ``a high enough level``.

According to him, the main hurdle in the negotiations on settling the Karabakh conflict is that the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents ``don`t trust each other``.

Bryza said Azerbaijan will not launch military action ``until it completely loses confidence in peace talks``, but noted that the risks related to military conflicts in the region are increasing.

According to Bryza, for many years the U.S. has had three strategic interests in the South Caucasus: security, energy and domestic reform. ``All of them are important and should be met if the United States does not want to lose this region.``

Regarding democracy in Azerbaijan, the former US ambassador said the situation ``is not that bad``.

``There are absolutely no grounds now for an Arab Spring-like revolt in Azerbaijan, and President Ilham Aliyev is more popular than everyone else,`` he said.

Bryza said there are many experienced activists and youths seeking to alter and improve Azerbaijan`s state system, and these initiatives should be supported. According to him, the Azerbaijani president says he will be developing the country by capitalizing on the oil revenue windfall. ``Therefore, unlike Arab countries, the youths in Azerbaijan believe that if they take to the streets, everybody will have a lot to lose.``

On regional threats, Bryza pointed to Iran`s hostile policy toward neighboring Azerbaijan.

``Baku is vehemently opposed to a war in Iran, which would pose tremendous humanitarian and social threats to Azerbaijan. But the US administration is largely unaware of what is going on between Iran and the South Caucasus,`` Bryza said.