Author: Felekian Ara

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

June 17, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SEN. OBAMA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO U.S. ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
RECOGNITION

— "I will continue to speak out in an effort to move the
Administration to change its position," says Sen. Obama in letter
to ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian

WASHINGTON, DC – With the Senate Foreign Relations Committee set to
consider U.S. Ambassador to Armenia nominee Marie Yovanovitch at a
confirmation hearing on Thursday, presumptive Democratic
presidential nominee Barack Obama restated his commitment to U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA.)

In a June 16th letter to ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, Sen. Obama
wrote "I share your view that the United States must recognize the
events of 1915 to 1923, carried out by the Ottoman Empire, as
genocide. . . We must recognize this tragic reality. The Bush
Administration’s refusal to do so is inexcusable, and I will
continue to speak out in an effort to move the Administration to
change its position."

Sen. Obama went on to cite his concerns about the firing of former
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans in 2006 for speaking
truthfully about the Armenian Genocide. "I was deeply disturbed two
years ago when the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia was fired after he
used the term "genocide" to describe the mass slaughter of
Armenians. In a letter to the Department of State, I called for
Secretary Rice to closely examine what I believe is an untenable
position taken by the U.S. government." A copy of the letter is
available on the ANCA website at:
and/obama072806.pdf

On March 28, 2008, Pres. Bush nominated Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch
to serve as America’s next Ambassador to Armenia. The ANCA has
spoken to Committee members about the value of carefully
questioning Amb. Yovanovitch on the many issues she will face as
the U.S. envoy in Yerevan, among them the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockades of
Armenia, and the need for a balanced U.S. role in helping forge a
democratic and peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict. These efforts have been supported by extensive on-line
outreach and a national postcard campaign to key Senate Foreign
Relations Committee members.

President Bush’s previous nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia,
Richard Hoagland, was subject to two legislative holds by Sen. Bob
Menendez (D-NJ) and was ultimately withdrawn by the Administration,
following the nominee’s statements denying the Armenian Genocide.
The ANCA led the Armenian American community campaign opposing
Hoagland’s nomination, stating that a genocide denier could not
serve as a credible and effective U.S. spokesperson in Armenia.

Individuals will be able to watch the Senate confirmation hearing
live on June 19th on Horizon Armenian television and online at the
ANCA website.

#####

SENATOR OBAMA’S LETTER TO ANCA CHAIRMAN KEN HACHIKIAN

Dear Kenneth:

Thank you for sharing with me your thoughts on the upcoming
confirmation hearing for the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. I
appreciate having the benefit of your perspective on this important
matter.

I share your view that the United States must recognize the events
of 1915 to 1923, carried out by the Ottoman Empire, as genocide. As
you know, this resulted in the deportation of nearly 2,000,000
Armenians, of whom 1,500,000 men, women, and children were killed.

We must recognize this tragic reality. The Bush Administration’s
refusal to do so is inexcusable, and I will continue to speak out
in an effort to move the Administration to change its position.

I was deeply disturbed two years ago when the U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia was fired after he used the term "genocide" to describe the
mass slaughter of Armenians. In a letter to the Department of
State, I called for Secretary Rice to closely examine what I
believe is an untenable position taken by the U.S. government. A
copy of that letter is enclosed for your review.

You may rest assured that I will keep your priorities in mind as I
consider relevant matters before the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations. I hope that you will stay in touch in the days ahead.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator

PACE CO-RAPPORTEURS CONDUCT MEETINGS IN NA

ARMENPRESS
June 16, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS: Co-rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring
Commission John Prescott and George Columbien conducted today a number
of meetings in the National Assembly.

National Assembly press service told Armenpress that during the meeting
with the NA Speaker Tigran Torosian, at which special representative of
the Council of Europe Secretary General was present, the co-rapporteurs
noted that their visit is aimed at studying the pace of implementation
of the 1609 resolution before regular session of PACE.

Mr. Columbien said that the Assembly is very much concerned with the
conduction of independent, transparent, and reliable investigation
of March 1-2 developments. In this respect J. Prescott suggested
the participation of independent judges in the works of the
commission. According to him, the participation of the human rights’
protector may have a serious role in the work of the commission.

The parliament speaker presented to the co-rapporteurs the works
carried out in the NA after the adoption of the 1609 resolution. He
noted that with the close cooperation with the Venice Commission the
draft law on "Meetings, Rallies, Marches and Demonstrations" has been
approved and has already been presented to the President of Armenia
for the ratification.

The speaker also spoke about the works carried out towards the change
of the system of formation of the National TV and Radio Commission,
improvement of electoral process. He also said that by the changes
in the law on the "NA Regulation" the rights of the opposition in
the parliament have been extended.

T. Torosian said that all the packages have been sent to the experts
of the Council of Europe Venice Commission.

He also informed that at the urgent session the parliament approved
the creation of the temporary commission which will study March 1-2
events and its causes. Torosian expressed hope that the conclusion
of the commission will give answers to all the questions.

With the request of the co-rapporteurs Tigran Torosian also referred
to the issues on the arrested people, saying that they are no
political prisoners in Armenia. He said that the cases of all are
being investigated. Referring to the arrest of the parliamentarians,
Torosian said that the parliament agreed to their arrest for creating
opportunities for the thorough investigation of the cases. He said
that he has applied to the chief prosecutor to find out what work has
been carried out during the passed three months, he said that after he
receives the information he will let the co-rapporteurs know about it.

With the request of the PACE co-rapparteur George Columbien the NA
speaker referred to the refusal of the municipality of the conduction
of the meeting of the opposition on June 20. He said that in response
the municipality suggested that it be conducted in other place.

During the meeting the sides also discussed other issues of mutual
interest.

The PACE co-rapporteurs also met with the head of the NA delegation
to PACE David Harutyunian, members of "Heritage" faction Stepan
Safarian, Larisa Alaverdian, Anahit Bakhshian, Armen Martirosian,
Zaruhi Postanjian and Vardan Khachatrian.

DON’T BE DECEIVED BY JUNTA’S LIES, ARMENIAN OPPOSITIONISTS CALL PACE CO-REPORTERS

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 16, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The opposition organized an action of
protest on June 16 on the occasion of visit to Armenia of John Prescott
and George Colombier, co-reporters on the issue of state of democratic
institutions in Armenia. Hundreds of demonstrants carrying placards
in Armenian and English, reading "Don’t be deceived by junta’s lies!,"
"Don’t protect March 1 murderers!," "Freedom to political prisoners!,"
Europe’s hands are also bloody!" moved in a march from Northern Avenue
to the Armenia Marriott hotel, where the co-reporters have stopped.

As Anahit Grigorian, an activist of the National Movement, said in
her interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent, the action participants
wish to make the European officials understand that what the RA
authorities do in the direction of fulfilment of the provisions of
PACE Resolution N 1609 is just a "primitive imitation." "There is no
democracy in our country, and it will be never established under these
authorities. They wish to deceive Europe with incomplete decisions
that allegedly they fulfil the PACE Resolution," A. Grigorian said.

For over two hours the demonstrants were voicing "Free, independent
Armenia!," "Serzhik, murderer!," "Freedom!," "Levon, President!,"
"Struggle, struggle till the end!" near the hotel entrance. At that
time a young man in black came up to those gathered, "reproached"
them saying why they are voicing "Levon!." Then the young man hit an
old man, who was among the demonstrants, and took to flight. Though
the policemen and several demonstrants tried to catch him, the latter
managed to slip out. According to the demonstrants, before hitting
the old man that young man had been talking to those policemen for
over 40 minutes.

POLAND FOR SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT WITHIN TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
June 15, 2008 Sunday

At invitation of the foreign minister of Poland, the foreign minister
of Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov has been visiting this
country on 12-13 June.

In the course of his visit, Mr. Mammadyarov met with his Polish
counterpart Radoslav Sikorsky. The sides discuss bilateral cooperation,
regional and international questions of mutual concern. Minister
Mammadyarov highly estimated stance of Polish government in settlement
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict. As Mr. Sikorsky
stated, Poland supports settlement of the question in the frame of
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

FM of Azerbaijan noted high level of political relations between
the two countries, underlining necessity of expanding economic ties
as well. Recalling the Eastern partnership initiated by Poland and
Sweden, Mammadyarov expressed pleasure of Azerbaijan with this idea,
reminding similarity of the positions of countries in both bilateral
and regional and international questions.

Azerbaijan is one of the ten priority countries and plays important
role in energy security of Europe, Mr. Sikorsky stressed. At his
words, Poland is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan both in
bilateral and Vishegrad-GUAM format, as well as in Vishegrad-Azerbaijan
format. The Polish minister expressed hope for closer ties between the
countries noting his government stands ready to promote cooperation
between EU and Azerbaijan.

The foreign ministers gave a news brief for media representatives.

Within his visit, on 12 June Azerbaijani Minister met with the Marshal
of Polish Senate, Bogdan Borusevich. The sides expressed consent
with current levels of cooperation and highlighted importance of
strengthening energy cooperation between countries and focused on the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, cooperation in humanitarian
and economic sphere, the possible role of Poland in Azerbaijans
integration to the international parliament structures. Mr. Bogdan
Borusevich said he is going to visit Baku to partake at ceremony of
the 90th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Parliament.

National Post (Canada)
June 12, 2008 Thursday
Toronto Edition

High school course grapples over ‘genocide’ label on 1915 Armenian killings

by: Natalie Alcoba, National Post

A new high school course that generated opposition from the Turkish
community for its proposed study of the Armenian genocide is up for
final approval at the Toronto District School Board tonight. The TDSB
has been developing the curriculum for a Grade 11 course that delves
into examples of genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries, including
the Holocaust, Armenia and Rwanda. It is the first such course in
Canada. "Students will examine identity formation and how "in groups"
and "out groups" are created, including an analysis of how bias,
stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination impact on various groups,"
the course description states. But a strong public response prompted a
review committee to address claims that dispute applying the label
"genocide" to the killing of scores of Armenians in 1915. "Genuine
historical controversies do belong in a high school curriculum," the
committee concluded. It also recommended focusing on the three case
studies, despite calls to add other examples like the Ukrainian
Famine.

Glendale News Press, CA
June 14 2008

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:
Father’s story continues a legacy

By John Krikorian
Published: Last Updated Friday, June 13, 2008 10:35 PM PDT

As we approach Father’s Day this year, I am reminded of one of the Ten
Commandments – `Honor thy father and mother’ – now, most especially,
with the recent passing of my mother, who joins my father.

My father was an orphan and a survivor of the Armenian Genocide of
1915.

Fortunately, his great uncle, Stepan, was in the United States and
joined the French Foreign Legion to return to the war zone to join the
Allies’ struggle against the Axis powers, which included Turkey with
Germany.

It was fortunate, in that my dad’s uncle, in entering the war front
with his battalion, came across fleeing Armenian refugees, which
included his wife, Garmir Eva.

How did he recognize his wife, among all the downtrodden, dirty-faced
refugees?

Her name says it all. The bright-red hair that shone out from her
weathered scarf. Garmir in Armenian means the color red.

The uncle broke ranks and went to embrace his wife, whom he had left
to come to America to earn money to return and build on his home in
historic Armenia.

The region, during that time, got caught up in World War I and the
Armenian Genocide.

Again, fortunate because his wife was holding the hand of my dad,
Hovnaton, who was only 5 years old and orphaned.

The uncle slipped his wife some money and told her to wait in the
village nearby and that after the end of the war he would come and
help her and my dad come to America.

This part of the journey took several years, and it was in 1927 that
my dad finally arrived with his uncle and aunt in New Britain, Conn.

My dad married in 1930. He probably didn’t make much money during his
lifetime, especially at the time of the Great Depression. Although, he
did invest in Peter Paul Inc., makers of Mounds and Almond Joy, a firm
in Naugatuck, Conn., founded by Armenians.

My father told me that during the Depression, at the time of my birth,
he was out of work. My dad saw some men digging a trench, and he
picked up a shovel and joined them.

His first employment was in America. My dad, soon after that, became a
machinist and was employed at Hartford Machine Screw Manufacturing for
the extent of his working days.

In a matter of time, he rose to chief machinist and was promoted to
lead foreman of his shift. I recall, how on a wintry blizzard day,
with a high fever, and ignoring the pleas of my mom, he went to work.

I remember that during World War II, against Germany again, he served
in the Army National Guard, volunteered in the auxiliary police in New
Britain and became a civil air raid warden. He also held several
part-time jobs during this period.

Both my parents made sure that family was important and that
volunteering to serve, caring for our community and America was of
equal value. We all had a proper education that included family
gatherings, family vacations and music lessons

I recall that in graduating from New Britain High in 1950, I had a
talk with my dad with regards to enlisting in the Air Force during the
time of the Korean conflict and remember what he told me.

At the time, many of my fellow classmates were enlisting, due to the
draft. My dad’s advice was to first go on to college, and that he
would finance my education, and then to enter the military service if
I wished.

I’m sure he gave up a lot trying to figure out how to finance my
education and continue to pay his bills.

How could I turn this offer down? I obtained my Bachelor of Science
degree in 1952 from Bryant University in Rhode Island. With the Korean
conflict still on. And in a matter of four months after graduation, I
was drafted into the U.S. Army.

While I can’t really refer to those as the `good ole days,’ they
weren’t really bad.

We had our summer vacations at Sound View Beach on the Connecticut
shores each year and numerous family gatherings. Those years were good
for us and made us stronger individuals. We were a very close and
caring family, which includes Elsie, my wife, who is in the hospital
with some heart problems, at the time of this writing.

We have eight children and 22 grandchildren.

My dad and mom both taught us honesty, integrity, caring for others,
the value of hard work and love for America.

He is gone now and my mom, who passed away this May at 98 years old,
spent her last days in a nursing home in Dearborn, Mich., being looked
after by my brothers and their wives.

My mom went there after the passing of my dad, now 14 years ago.

My mother, Elizabeth, was also orphaned in 1915 and went to an
orphanage in Corinth, Greece, for 10 years. A first cousin in
Worcester, Mass., located her through the Near East Relief Foundation
and brought her to America.

I can’t help but think back to the many good days and some not so good
that we had growing up.

There are many other memories of growing up and our family that will
be told at a later time.

?JOHN KRIKORIAN is a Glendale resident.

BUILD HOMES IN ARMENIA WITH THE FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING GLOBAL BUILDERS PROGRAM

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while helping a needy family achieve their lifelong dream of a healthy
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ever hoped to receive.

Dates of available Global Builders trips July 13- 26 August 2-15
October 5-19

Team leaders are experienced in this type of mission trip and have
traveled regularly to Armenia to build homes since 2003. Costs are
expected to be approximately $1600-1900, not including airfare. No
construction experience is needed. For more information, or to register
for a team, contact [email protected] Change the
world one home, one family at a time.

The Fuller Center for Housing-Armenia is a covenant partner of The
Fuller Center for Housing organization based in Americus, Georgia. It
is a nonprofit organization that supports community development in
Armenia by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and
affordable homes. This newest addition to the Fuller Center family,
joined them on May 2 of this year.

The Fuller Center for Housing International is a nonprofit, ecumenical
Christian housing ministry. FCH seeks to eliminate poverty housing
and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter
of conscience and action. The Fuller Center was founded by Habitat
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Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, The
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The Fuller Center does not offer a giveaway program. In addition
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Fuller Center for Housing home and the homes of others. Please visit
the Fuller Center for Housing websites at or
to learn more about these programs or
to volunteer.

FRESNO VALEDICTORIAN MAY BE DEPORTED
Jason Martinez

ABC30.com
June 10 2008
CA

6/10/2008 Fresno, CA (KFSN) — Bullard High School holds its graduation
Tuesday afternoon, but its valedictorian is getting attention for
more than his diploma.

Arthur Mkoyan may be deported shortly after graduation. He’d like to
stay in the United States and has already been accepted to U.C. Davis,
but immigration ordered Arthur and his mother to leave the U.S. by
late June and return to Armenia.

Arthur’s family fled from the former Soviet Union and has been seeking
asylum since 1992.

His father applied for asylum but was rejected. He is currently at
a detention center in Arizona.

Senator Dianne Feinstein is expected to introduce a private bill that
could delay a deportation order.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT DOES NOT TAKE STEPS IN DIRECTION OF REOPENING ARMENIAN CHURCH AS MUSEUM

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 9, 2008

ESKISHEHIR, JUNE 9, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Turkish
government has not taken any step up to now in the direction of
reopening the Armenian church built in the Sivrihisar region of
Eskishehir in the 19th century despite the fact that the Ministry
of Culture and Tourism of the country three years ago informed about
having started work on that occasion.

As the Cihan agency reports, Yashar Yurtdash, the Chairman of the
community council of Sivrihisar, has made a statement and mentioned
that the church is a very important historical structure and its
reopening as a museum can become an incentive for the development
of tourism.

Yeni Musavat , Azerbaijan
June 4 2008

Ilham Aliyev has spoilt relations with the USA

Relations between the authorities and the West have reached a crisis point

President under pressure over Karabakh, democracy

We have already reported that the president of Azerbaijan has come
under pressure over the Nagornyy Karabakh problem. The latest
observations leave no doubts that the pressure has become
permanent. Reports from sources in the authorities show openly that
with the presidential election in the pipeline, the most of the
pressure comes from the USA. (By the way, Ilham Aliyev himself has not
denied this and is not about to do so). In this regard, the recent
behind-the-scene meeting between US Assistant Secretary of State [for
South and Central Asian Affairs] Richard Boucher and Aliyev in Baku is
said to be a proof. If we believe in a source claiming the meeting was
tense, the US representative laid down several specific conditions to
the Azerbaijani president.

The most important of them is to do with Karabakh. But apart from
this, it is said that Boucher remembered Aliyev about his pledges to
the USA before the 2003 presidential election. It is said that the
pledges were about democracy and Karabakh and that the White House
regretted that they were not honoured and the president was told that
Washington’s limit of expectation was over. Moreover, his attention
was drawn to the fact that it was problematic to rely on the US
support to win another election at the expense of empty pledges.

The following cases also show that the meeting proceeded in a strained
atmosphere. The source said that this time, the official of the White
House first of all demanded that Ilham Aliyev make real compromises on
the Karabakh issue to resolve the problem as soon as possible and he
even resorted to threats: he was warned that if Baku continues to
resist, then Azerbaijan may be excluded from international bodies as
well as from the Council of Europe. The most intriguing is that the
guest announced that bank accounts of odious figures in the West may
be frozen.

President against compromises

This followed by the interesting aspect of the matter. The response of
the Azerbaijan president to Boucher was unambiguous and curt: "I shall
not honour any of them!" The source also adds: "Taking advantage of
unbearable pressure on him over Nagornyy Karabakh, Ilham Aliyev
resists exactly at this point by uniting pressure related to
democratic [reforms] with this problem and is opposing both problems
in question. Actually, by turning down proposals of the West with
respect to Karabakh, he says no to democratic changes which may
endanger his rule. Consequently, he sends an open message to the
public that because of his refusal to hand Karabakh over to [Armenia],
he is brought under pressure on democracy platform. This statement
boils down to the fact that he is under pressure on democracy platform
because of his refusal to yield Karabakh. It also means that the
president of Azerbaijan says no to all the proposals of the West both
about Nagornyy Karabakh and democracy…[ellipses as published]" Our
newspaper learned this from diplomatic sources.

Azerbaijan urged to compromise

"Washington prefers to have the problem resolved at the expense of the
losing party and actually gain Armenia and sympathy of Armenians
through establishment of a second Armenian state. The USA thinks of
tearing Armenia away from Russia by handing Nagornyy Karabakh over to
Armenians," a pro-government MP who agreed to speak to us said.

Regrettably, due to objective reasons Azerbaijan is a weak chain in
this issue. Therefore, high expectations are placed on Ilham Aliyev
and wanted to make big compromises. On the other hand, the resolution
of the Karabakh issue in line with the desire of the USA, the
recognition of the separate body following the liberation of one or
two districts and the control of the border section with Iran by the
US peace-keepers are very important for the USA.

Another aspect complicating the situation is that though esteemed
Aliyev’s verbal declaration of his adherence to democratic values, in
fact, he is heading towards sabotaging the Western values in practice;
he has further toughened his regime as he considers democratic reforms
to be a danger to his rule under the current condition. In its turn,
this removes both the lasting stability from the agenda and serves to
the interests of neighbouring Iran and Russia.

It is not by chance that hawks as well as those pro-Moscow officials
in power have recently become active. (The reactionary Electoral Code
is undoubtedly their success first of all)

Washington wants Aliyev to share energy interests and common values

This also makes Washington anxious. America wants Ilham Aliyev to
share both energy interests and common values with the West. This is
seen as a possible way of distancing from Russia. Therefore, it is
both logical and real that Aliyev was reminded of his 2003 promises
ahead of the [October 2008] presidential election.

In our view, warnings of the White House will soon further become
stricter. Another reason for this is that the geopolitical and
geo-economic-energy interests of the USA and Russia in the South
Caucasus have for the first time ever entered the point of clash and
this knot cannot be undone without Azerbaijan’s strategic choice in
favour of the West.

Incidentally, the borders of NATO and the European Union have
approached closer to the South Caucasus passing through Ukraine and
Georgia (the stripe of GUAM). "In the middle" remains Azerbaijan and
Armenia. Moscow also understands this. The growing pressure on Kiev,
the dramatic processes unfolding around Georgia and unprecedented
aggression of our northern neighbour against these countries have to
be exactly explained by the last factor.

The election of Medvedev as president has proved that Putin’s Russia
does not have intention of easing the policy of threat in the near
future. Moscow’s policy is to retain regional countries under control
through ethnic conflicts. Therefore, the White House is in a hurry to
have at least certain clarity in the Karabakh issue which plays a
dominant role for the region, and have Ilham Aliyev at least give
verbal consent to the Madrid document which appeared due to patronage
of the West and runs against Azerbaijan’s fundamental interests.

According to information we received through other channels, at the
meeting with Boucher Aliyev expressed vehement opposition to pressures
related to Karabakh. No doubt, this fact has to be assessed
positively. But as also acknowledged by the president, if he is under
growing pressure and threats, why he is not in a hurry to take steps
towards the nation and the opposition to put into operation the public
resistance mechanism and do not make any attempts towards dialogue and
mass protest against foreign pressures?

Aliyev needs cooperation with opposition over Karabakh

On the contrary, he continues to exert pressure on the democratic
forces who are against the capitulatory peace, wants to burn the last
bridges with the political opposition, brought the Electoral Code to
further ruined state, trying to have silenced the free media a serious
informative institution which is against an ignominious peace? (It is
intriguing that the West is not that critical of this repression)

Another motive for Washington’s haste in the Karabakh issue might be
associated with the PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party] threat. The matter
is that as US military expert Prof Stephen J. Blank said the USA is
cautious about the likelihood of a Turkish and Azerbaijani joint
military intervention in the occupied territories under the pretext of
a PKK danger. (We have covered this matter in depth in our latest
issues)

The USA has recognized the PKK as a terrorist organization. That is to
say, the opposition of the USA to such an operation is not high. The
resolution of the Karabakh issue or any fundamental breakthrough in
this matter would make such an intervention unnecessary and would
retain the opportunities for the border section with Iran in the
occupied territories to come under the control of the West.

To recap, we have to say that the USA has not fully obtained from the
Azerbaijani leadership what it wanted with regard to its regional
targets. (This is good for Karabakh but bad for democracy author). And
the situation has reached the point (this is also proven by the
president’s last anti-US remarks) that the relations between Ilham
Aliyev and the USA seem soured. What the current state of affairs
promise for the regime’s political fate, Azerbaijan and democracy will
likely be obvious soon.

[translated from Azeri]