Morningstar: I know how painful the Karabakh conflict is for all Azerbaijanis

(In an exclusive interview with Turan, the U.S. ambassador expressed the attitude of official Washington to the most serious recent events and topical issues of political life in Azerbaijan.)

Q: In recent days, the situation in the region deteriorated in light of two events: the pardon of Safarov and statements of the Armenian side on the launch of the airport in Khojali city. 

Some experts do not exclude that the resumption of flights may cause hostilities in Karabakh.  What does the official Washington think about it, and what steps are being taken to prevent conflict?

Ambassador Morningstar:  I can give you a general answer and then more specifically if you want to talk about the Safarov pardon and the airport.

First of all, we are doing everything that we can to discourage any kind of increased tensions and any escalation of conflict.  What I do here in Baku is certainly discourage any kind of escalation of conflict.  We’re doing everything possible to achieve a peaceful resolution through the Minsk Group process.

With respect to the specific issues that you’re concerned about, on the Safarov pardon, I certainly stand behind the statements that were made, by the State Department and by the White House, with respect to the Safarov pardon.  Those statements clearly say that we condemn any actions that will escalate tensions in the region.

In connection with the airport, I would refer to the statements made by the Minsk Group.  One particular statement made last week, on April 14th of last year, and then again on July 13th of this year.  In last year’s statement the Minsk Group co-chairs expressed their concern that the planned opening of the airport in Nagorno-Karabakh could lead to further increased tension.  It very explicitly stated concern by the Minsk Group co-chairs and that the co-chairs have received continuing assurances that there will be no violence against civil aircraft which is very important.

The Minsk Group co-chairs have also stated that the opening of the airport would have absolutely no effect on the current status of Nagorno-Karabakh under international law.  They reject any argument that that airport would somehow give increased status to Nagorno-Karabakh.  The hope, of course, is that the parties can resolve the issue through international conventions and international law, but again it is clear that the Minsk Group has raised all these issues and made the statement that the opening of the airport could increase tensions.  

Q: You have been an active participant in the implementation of international energy projects in Azerbaijan. Today it is often heard that the positives from the sale of oil contracts have benefited only a narrow segment of the population, leaving aside most of the country's population. Do you agree with this opinion?

Ambassador Morningstar:  I’ll answer the question this way.  I strongly believe that Azerbaijan is better off because of the development of its energy resources.  At the same time it’s important that Azerbaijan’s economy become more diversified and I think the government is trying hard to diversify the economy into other areas -- information, communications, technology, infrastructure, agriculture, and many other areas.

There’s always progress to be made as well.  It’s important that the needs of the Azerbaijani people be taken care of and that the energy resources and revenues from the energy resources can help to do this.

Q: So, the problem is not in the contract, but such issues as corruption and inequitable distribution? And what do you think of the fight against corruption in Azerbaijan?

Ambassador Morningstar:  I think it goes without saying that the less corruption the more benefit to the people.

This is an issue that we constantly press the government on. President Aliyev, in public statements this week, has talked about the need to reduce corruption.  We work with the Azerbaijani government to increase transparency with respect to the economy.  It’s a very important part of our agenda.  We continue to urge the government to make continuing progress with respect to eliminating corruption.  And hopefully steps will be taken to further improve that situation.

Q: At your first press conference in Baku on September 10 you stated priority of security, energy, democracy and human rights. You also mentioned the dialogue between the government and opposition in Azerbaijan. Your predecessor, Ambassador Bryza was the initiator of the dialogue for promoting reform, but his idea was unsuccessful. Do you plan to organize such a dialogue?

Ambassador Morningstar:  We have.  And in fact there has been already one session between the presidential administration, opposition and civil society representatives.  He has committed to do more.  But I think the important point to make is that the democracy and human rights are critically important to Azerbaijan’s future.  Secretary of State Clinton has said that our closest relationships are with those countries that value democracy and human rights. 

So we continually raise these issues with the government.  We will continue to seek improvement with respect to these issues.  We believe it’s advantageous for the government of Azerbaijan to create a more pluralistic society.  I have spent a lot of time since I’ve been here speaking to youth groups here.  In the future Azerbaijan depends upon the youth and I think that the young people in this country are going to have to see that they have opportunities here.  I think it’s up to the government to ensure that that happens and to create a more open society, to continue to progress and create a more open society, to provide opportunities to all citizens.

So this is an issue that is very high on our agenda.  In every meeting with senior officials we talk about these issues.  We talk about some specific cases.  We also talk about the importance of continuing to open up the society and create more transparency within the society and recognizing democratic values.

Q:  Do you believe that authorities have the political will for real reform?

Civil society believes that it does not, and talks about the dialogue are of a formal nature.

In our society there is an opinion that the cause of general apathy is frustrating to democratic values, because the current reality in the form of an authoritarian political system, total corruption and the violation of fundamental freedoms is seen as a consequence of democracy. This, in turn, drives a significant part of society, especially the youth, to turn to religion. Do not you think that this should be an alarm bell for the supporters of democracy?

Ambassador Morningstar:  Obviously dialogue will not be successful if it is purely formalistic.  It is important as part of any dialogue and important for any government to listen to its citizens and to listen to what their concerns are and what their problems are.  And to deal with those problems.  And it’s important for any society, including Azerbaijan, for the people, particularly young people, to believe that they have an opportunity to grow, to be educated, to be able to have careers where they can succeed and better themselves in that society as well.  To be able to have strong families that can make ends meet and can live a reasonable life.  These are the real issues.

And if the government listens to those kinds of concerns and helps to develop in that direction, then Azerbaijan will be a very prosperous and strong country.

Q: Next year presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan. How does the USA assess the intention of Ilham Aliyev to run for president a third time?

Ambassador Morningstar:  Well, I don’t think the issue is whether Aliyev runs for a third term or not.  The issue is will there be fair elections?  And we’ll see.  We hope they are fair.  We’re certainly happy to work with the government, helping the government meet its commitments, its international commitments with respect to these elections.  I certainly hope that will be the case and we’re happy to help ensure that.

We also have to remember that a true democracy is more than just an election day decision.  Democracy requires civil society, democracy requires institutions that are open and transparent.  Elections require a freedom of the media, freedom to express ideas. 

So all of these things are important.  We certainly, these are issues that we do talk about with the government.  We hope that we can cooperate with them and that the government will ensure that the elections coming up will be free and fair and will provide for freedom of the media, freedom of expression, and that there will be  a truly fair and open election.

Q: The  reports of the U.S. State Department, Freedom House and other formal and informal structures of USA  state serious problems with freedom of speech, democracy and human rights in Azerbaijan. What specific measures are planned by Washington to improve the situation in this regard?

Ambassador Morningstar:  We can look at specific projects as well as our ongoing discussions that we always have with the government with respect to these issues, with respect to some of the specific cases that come up.  But we also have various programs that can help to foster civil society, help to develop transparency, and to work with the youth, to encourage an opening of the society.  I think in the day of the social network it’s virtually impossible to control the internet and the social network and I think there’s real opportunity for pluralistic ideas to develop through the society network and that the government can also use the social network and the internet to help prove to the citizens of Azerbaijan it is doing things to open up opportunities for all of its citizens.

Q: The next important topic is the tension around Iran. Many experts do not exclude a quick military action against Tehran.  Is the USA ready to defend Azerbaijan in case of attack by Iran, which threatened to bomb the "American targets" in neighboring countries in case of war?

Ambassador Morningstar:  I’d answer that in two ways.  One, Iran is certainly an issue with respect to Azerbaijan.  We work closely with the government with respect to issues relating to Iran and relating to security assistance, counter-terrorism and the like.  It is an important part of our relationship.

But I also think it’s important to understand what the United States policy is with respect to Iran.  We hope very much that the combination of diplomacy and very tough sanctions will ultimately bring about an agreement with respect to Iran’s nuclear program that will be satisfactory to all concerned.  We think that there is still time for diplomacy along with sanctions to work.  So we are hopeful that military action will not become necessary and at the same time I think the President has made clear that a nuclear armed Iran is not an acceptable option.  Hopefully diplomacy and sanctions will work. We’re working at that every day.

I understand the concerns of people in Azerbaijan with respect to this issue.  It’s a concern for everybody.  That’s why our government is working so hard to ultimately come to a resolution using very tough sanctions to come to a diplomatic resolution.

But again, the President has made clear that a nuclear armed Iran is not an acceptable option.

Q: For Azerbaijan, there is a more serious problem, the Karabakh conflict, which remains unresolved for over 20 years. In recent times there are opinions that the OSCE Minsk Group has exhausted itself, and there is a need to search for new formats of settlement. A number of American experts such as Mary Ouen, suggest applying the method of coercion to peace, as it did in Bosnia. What are your thoughts on the matter?

Ambassador Morningstar:  We’re committed to the Minsk Group process.  At this point we certainly,  there is no existing alternative to the Minsk Group process.  We are totally committed also to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

What’s necessary ultimately for resolution is political will of all the parties to reach a resolution.  Whatever the format of negotiations is or is not, unless there’s that strong political will of all parties, it’s going to be very difficult to achieve a solution.

Certainly speaking from our position here in Baku, the U.S. position, I’m working hard with our Minsk Group negotiators and with the government to look at possible creative ways to resolve the conflict.  The whole Nagorno-Karabakh issue, I can tell you from my conversations with Secretary of State Clinton prior to coming here, is a top priority and the number one issue I know in her view with respect to Azerbaijan.  And I’ve said publicly in public before, I would be the happiest person in the world if this were resolved during the time that I was here in Baku.  I will continue to work with our Minsk Group negotiators and others, to see what we can do to help and be creative and hopefully come to a solution.  

I also recognize that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is just a deep and emotional issue for all Azerbaijanis.  It really doesn’t matter what a person’s political views are.  Everybody I’ve met, are deeply concerned about the suffering this conflict has generated.  The pain that it’s generated.  

Q: Let's go back to energy issues. How do you assess the prospects of Trans-Caspian gas pipeline?

Ambassador Morningstar:  Well, we’ll see.  I’ve been involved in trying to get a Trans-Caspian Pipeline done since 1998.  It still hasn’t happened.  The European Union, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan negotiated to try and get a Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline done.  Turkey has a strong interest, a strong desire to see a Trans-Caspian Pipeline.  Again, I know nothing more than those negotiations will be successful.  But again, we’ll see. We certainly support a Trans-Caspian Pipeline and hopefully the negotiations that are taking place will be successful.

Q: How do you assess sharp criticism by Ilham Aliyev against BP?

Ambassador Morningstar:  Certainly we’re aware of the issues that President Aliyev raised yesterday that has been reported on in the press.  The relationship between the government of Azerbaijan, and SOCAR, with BP is critically important.  BP and the Azerbaijani government have had a relationship that has gone on now for close to 20 years.  There are issues.  I’m sure that if all the parties act in good faith that they’ll resolve those issues.  We certainly don’t take sides.  We encourage that these issues be resolved and I’m also confident that they will be resolved.

Q: Last week there was a scandal in connection with a video, where a member of parliament extorted money from the rector of the university for the last elections as a deputy. How do you feel about this event?

Ambassador Morningstar:  It’s hard for me to comment on that.  We follow it closely.  We obviously don’t know all of the facts.  The only thing that we would encourage is that there be a thorough transparent investigation of what happened.  

Q: It's no secret that in Azerbaijan in recent years the Islamic factor has strengthened in Azerbaijan, the role and influence of believers is growing. In this case, there are concerns that Islam is becoming a more political factor. How do you assess these trends?

Ambassador Morningstar:  I’ll go back to what I said earlier, that the issue that Azerbaijan or any country faces with respect to any kind of radical opposition, whether it be radical Islamic opposition or other radical oppositions of other kinds, is that governments have to convince their citizens that they have opportunity.  Particularly the youth, the women, they all have opportunities to succeed in the society.  If in fact the society in general believes that Azerbaijan is becoming increasingly democratic, is becoming more open, and is providing the requisite opportunities for all of its citizens, then I think any kind of radical opposition would be, it would be very unlikely that radical opposition could develop in that kind of environment.--0--