Obama Seeks To Soothe Balky Azerbaijan, Keep Supply Routes Open

OBAMA SEEKS TO SOOTHE BALKY AZERBAIJAN, KEEP SUPPLY ROUTES OPEN

MyStateLine.com

June 7 2010
Baku

President Obama is promising Azerbaijan that he will confront “serious
issues” that have strained relations with the oil-rich country.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates hand-delivered a letter from Obama to
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Gates’ visit was to try and smooth the wrinkles in relations with
the country, strategically located between Russia and Iran.

It’s also a main route for both U.S. military aircraft and supply
trucks en route to Afghanistan.

Washington needs to appease Azerbaijan as it fumes over the U.S.’
warming relations with its rival, Armenia.

The two have been locked in ethnic conflict for centuries, with a
disputed territory now in Armenian hands.

Obama wrote to Azerbaijan’s government, quote, “I am aware of the
fact that there are serious issues in our relationship, but I am
confident we can address them.” Gates said as he was leaving the
country his visit, quote, “set the stage for further expansion of
the relationship.”

From: A. Papazian

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