Baku, October 25
Turan – ArmInfo. The adviser to the US President on national security issues in an exclusive interview with the Turan news agency and the Azerbaijani service of Voice of America spoke about sanctions against Iran, the situation around the Treaty on the Elimination of Medium and Small- Range Missiles, security issues in the South Caucasus, the Karabakh conflict and human rights.
Question: On the day of your visit to Baku, October 24, it was 26 years to the adoption by the US Congress of the 907th amendment to the Act on the Support of Freedom, which limits state assistance to Azerbaijan in connection with the Karabakh conflict. Russia, using this, sells weapons to Azerbaijan. Thus, it receives advantages over the West in matters of trade, including the supply of military equipment. However, during the antiterrorist operation in Afghanistan, the amendment was suspended, but so far it has not been canceled. Is it not time, its complete elimination?
John Bolton: Regarding the 907th amendment, I can say that this amendment was adopted exclusively by Congress. This question has nothing to do with the executive branch of the United States and we have witnessed how several presidents of America have already suspended its action. And we also considered the question whether the existence of this amendment corresponds to or does not correspond to the situation. Taking this opportunity, I want to say that during my visit to Azerbaijan we exchanged views on the conflict, including with Mr. President. In general, we discussed a number of issues of importance to the regional and international agenda.
Question: Experts regard the latest statements around the Treaty of Intermediate-Range and Short-Range Missiles as the beginning of a new arms race. This is confirmed by the demonstration of a new generation of rockets by the president of Russia this year. Does the United States take into account the security of the post-Soviet countries in the militarization of Russia?
John Bolton: South Caucasus is always a significant region for the United States. In particular, this concerns Azerbaijan. Because Azerbaijan has borders, both with Russia, and with Iran. The United States is withdrawing from the said treaty in the light of Russia's violation of this agreement. We know that the Russian Federation, in general, having gone beyond the scope of this agreement, has created such types of weapons that can strike at the states located around it. I would like to emphasize that the risk to international security and stability is not the US withdrawal from the Treaty on Medium and Small-Range Missiles, but Russia's gross violation of this agreement.
Question: The lessons of history show that the exacerbation of tension in Russia and Iran directly contributes to the growth of threats to the countries of the South Caucasus. What do you think about the possible threats to the South Caucasus in the context of the expansion of sanctions against the Russian Federation and Iran?
John Bolton: There are various reasons for the US withdrawing from the agreement on Iran's nuclear program. One of them is that the Iranian side has not shown any commitment to this agreement from a strategic point of view. We saw the ineffective participation of Iran in this agreement. At the same time, Iran's production of long-range missiles, its support for international terrorism, as well as military operations in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, also questioned Iran's compliance with its nuclear program agreement. I emphasize again that threats to regional and international security and stability are Iran's demonstrating misconduct with regard to this agreement. We want through economic pressure to encourage Iran to change its behavior.
Question: Expansion of US sanctions against Iran – the introduction of bans on international payments and oil trade may lead to the creation of a new source of tension in the region after Syria and Iraq. In Iran, where tens of millions of Azerbaijanis live, a new hotbed of tension can become a factor affecting the security of Azerbaijan, with which Iran has a long border. Were these factors discussed at meetings with Azerbaijani officials?
John Bolton: Yes, we discussed these issues with President Aliyev and the foreign minister. Our goal is to ensure the maximum use of sanctions against Iran, and at the same time, not to cause unnecessary harm to our friends, and Azerbaijan in this series. Yes, we are planning an even greater expansion of the existing sanctions. At the same time, we are considering the application of new sanctions. Our goal is to maximize the effect of sanctions on Iran. At the same time, we want to act in such a way that our friends do not experience the damage they do not need.
Question: Were human rights and democratic reforms in Azerbaijan a subject of discussion during your visit? The Amnesty International organization in its appeal asked you to raise the issue of human rights and democracy before the government of Azerbaijan. Is the resumption of the dialogue between the USA and Azerbaijan in the field of human rights and democracy that has been revitalized and faded since 2006? Was your agenda on the issue of restoring the activity of the Baku Bureau of Radio Azadlig?
John Bolton: Yes, we discussed certain issues with Mr. President in the field of human rights. I want to note that the question of how important the United States is to human rights is not a secret. I would like to recall the words of Mr. President Trump that we respect sovereignty with great respect and do not intend to lecture any country from this point of view. You asked about the office of Radio Azadlig in Azerbaijan. That is, have we asked about it? No specifically this question was raised. I remember how my wife worked on this radio in due time.
Question: Have you brought any new ideas on the Karabakh settlement? Did you have an exchange of views in Russia on the settlement of conflicts in the South Caucasus? John Bolton: We had an exchange of views on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. At the same time, before the visit to Azerbaijan in Moscow, we discussed with the Russian officials the situation in this region. The United States is co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, and therefore we, given the strategic importance of the region, are supporters of achieving a better understanding between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Working in this direction, we will continue our efforts within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Question: The United States is the author of the Dayton Accords, which put an end to the war in the former Yugoslavia. How do you think, is it possible to use the experience of the Dayton Accords to force the parties to peace in the Karabakh conflict?
John Bolton: The Karabakh conflict is unique in itself. Each conflict has its own characteristics. Therefore, I would not like to draw parallels with scenarios of various conflicts. Simply, the United States during the period after the collapse of the USSR is trying to promote the achievement of a peace agreement between the conflicting countries on the terms of protecting their sovereignty. Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, I would like to stress once again that the United States is one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. I came here not to change the policy of the United States, but to better understand the situation.