Biden will take a stronger stance on Turkey and Russia – Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte

The United States is expected to take a more active stance on the region under President Joe Biden, especially towards Turkey and Russia, according to Anna Astvatsaturian-Turcotte, a member of the Westbrook City Council (Maine).

In an interview with Tert.am, the US-Armenian politician also shared her positive expectations from the Biden administration’s success in “swaying the conflict to the US advantage”.

Ms. Astvatsaturian Turcotte, I would like to know your opinion about the West’s role in the conflict settlement process. Do you see their interest and active involvement process?

I certainly think the West has a strong interest in the conflict but the only involvement, as we have seen during the war and after the agreement was signed, is limited to areas of their own national interests. It is outrageous for them to continue to preach European values and democratic principles while turning a blind eye to Turkey blatant violations of international law, especially the United States’ intolerance of international terrorism since 2001. So these standards and ideals are only relevant to these superpowers when convenient for their political purposes.

At the meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Anne Linde, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian announced the need for a strong co-chairmanship of OSCE Minsk Group. What role do you think the OSCE Minsk Group played during and after the war in Karabakh?

It is perhaps a tired assessment or opinion but it’s pretty clear the only co-chair that was active in the conflict and during the war has been Russia. Russia has its own strategy in the region and acted in its own long term interests. This left a huge vacuum that allowed the events to unfold the way they did and the crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression by Azerbaijan and Turkey were left completely unchecked.

The US was not very active during the war as it were busy with its presidential election. What policies do you think the Biden administration pursues in relation to Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as our region?

It was the election and the devastation of COVID. But it is also important to note the lack of care of the Trump administration about the aggression of Turkey and Azerbaijan that played a direct role on the US inaction during the war. I believe Biden will take a stronger stance on the US role in the region, especially toward Turkey and Russia. I do not believe the US will take an overly active role in Artsakh or Armenia on the ground. US will never get involved in Artsakh and Armenia on the ground. I believe that the Biden administration will sway the conflict to the US advantage (or opposing Russia’s) by imposing its diplomatic and economic influence.

How do you evaluate the actions by the Armenian leadership? How do they work with the international community in this process towards the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

It’s nonexistent. We have yet to get out prisoners of war back home safely; we continue with the endless concessions to benefit Azerbaijan. The Status of Artsakh’s independence is not even on the leadership’s radar; Syunik is in continued threat and fear and the leadership both current and past is navel gazing and clawing at power as Azerbaijan is doing everything in its power to continue its victories in villainize Armenia as the aggressor on the world stage and shake Diaspora’s resolve and political capital. Wake up, Armenia.

You are conducting a full census of the post-war damages in Artsakh. I would like to know about the results. Do you envision any plan as to how they can be recovered?

Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation (www.Astvatsaturian.org) organized the project to conduct a full census on medical, psychological, economic and financial impact of the war on every citizen of Artsakh, both in Artsakh and in Armenia. The data collected will be utilized by the Artsakh and Armenian ministries of labor, human rights ombudsmen’s offices and various NGOs for Humanitarian and rebuilding efforts, as well as a legal framework for potential litigation. The Foundation employed and trained 100 staff members in Artsakh to conduct this extensive survey. Up to date we interviewed close 5000 families. We are still fundraising to ensure the project completes all reviews and anyone can donate on the Foundation’s website. When the data is collected it will be analyzed by experts in a detailed legal, human rights and humanitarian report which will be drafted for a final assessment. This final assessment will be available for humanitarian efforts in Artsakh, as well as for legal and academic purposes.