Interfax, Russia
Oct 8 2011

U.S.’ position on Nagorno-Karabakh remains unchanged – ambassador to Azerbaijan

BAKU. Oct 8

Neither the U.S. nor any other country have recognized
Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew
Bryza said.

In commenting to journalists on Saturday on State Senator of
California Joseph Simitian’s recent visit to Nagorno-Karabakh, Bryza
stressed that the United States and even Armenia have not recognized
Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent entity, and the U.S. policy in
relation to Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has
not changed.

State Senator Simitian’s trip to Nagorno-Karabakh was not planned as
part of his visit to Baku, Bryza said, adding that Simitian had not
asked his opinion of such a trip.

At the same time, the ambassador said it was his hope that Simitian’s
visit to the region would contribute to efforts the OSCE Minsk Group
is making toward settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Azeri Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it had declared
Simitian persona non grata for traveling to Nagorno-Karabakh without
Baku’s consent.

va