Does the US want to spoil relations with Azerbaijan? - Alex Raufoglu in the "Difficult Question"

Baku/18.11.23/Reuters: In a significant development, a senior official from the United States State Department, Ambassador James O'Brien, assured American lawmakers during a hearing at the Congressional Foreign Relations Committee that the United States would refrain from conducting "ordinary business" with Azerbaijan until a peace agreement is reached between Baku and Yerevan, as reported by Turan's Washington correspondent.

Ambassador O'Brien outlined specific measures to underscore this commitment. Firstly, he stated that the State Department would not freeze Amendment 907, a provision that restricts the provision of assistance to Azerbaijan. Moreover, the United States is open to considering the construction of a transit corridor, contingent upon the conclusion of a peace agreement and Armenia's concurrence.

O'Brien emphasized that Washington has consistently and publicly conveyed its stance that the use of force against Armenia is entirely unacceptable in all high-level interactions.

He went on to mention that the authorities in Baku have reassured the United States of their lack of intentions to use force, and the U.S. is closely monitoring troop movements and any indications of alternative plans.

Regarding the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, O'Brien disclosed that, at the direction of Secretary Blinken, the State Department is preparing a comprehensive and transparent report covering not only the events during the September war but also the preceding months.

Furthermore, the United States is actively engaged in efforts to support Armenia. O'Brien highlighted collaboration with the European Union toward this goal.

In the context of peace negotiations, O'Brien stressed that the coming weeks will be pivotal in assessing the willingness of the involved parties to translate their intentions into concrete actions.

Responding to questions from legislators, Ambassador O'Brien reiterated that, following the events of September 19, relations with Azerbaijan would not return to their previous state until progress is achieved in the peace negotiations.

"Therefore, we canceled a number of high-level visits, condemned the actions of (Baku), and reinstated Amendment 907," Ambassador O'Brien affirmed.

The United States' stance and actions have raised questions about the nature of its relationship with Azerbaijan. Washington-based journalist Alex Raufoglu delves into this topic in the "Difficult Question" program, hosted by Kamran Mahmudov.