When it comes to a long-distance relationship, it's always good to know what attracts the other side. And, as shown at a shindig in Baku this week to mark 21 years of official ties with the US, Azerbaijan has its attractions for Washington down pat.
They number four: a supply corridor for NATO's military campaign in Afghanistan; a foothold for American interests in regional stability (Iran is just next-door) and fighting terrorism; and, finally, oil and gas for Europe.
Hearing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cover the lot, US diplomats, congresspeople and officials attending the May 28-29 "Vision for the Future" convention nodded approvingly. “Azerbaijan is an undoubted friend, business partner and military ally of the United States,” commented Richard Lugar, the former chairperson of the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, Trend news service reported.
This is no co-dependent relationship, however. Aliyev made clear that, as a return for its attractions, Azerbaijan expects Washington to support its efforts to reclaim breakaway Nagorno Karabakh from Armenian and separatist control. Armenia's American Diaspora runs a well-organized lobbying operation across the US to make sure that many US politicians view Armenia's problems as their own.
Azerbaijan has been trying to put its energy wealth to good use of late, though, to outdo its rival for American hearts. On May 10, a celebration of Azerbaijan's Flower Day was held on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The event featured many flowers, both real and painted on children's faces, and was complete with a flower-adorned portrait of President Aliyev's father, the late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev.
Yet, as can happen, not everyone will necessarily be happy about the terms of this relationship on display in Baku. Human rights activists and local democracy advocates might well ask if the US came to Baku as a suitor equally interested in "shared democratic values" or "rule of law."
Most recently, Human Rights Watch reported an increase in the practice of police planting drugs on critics, a phenomenon it linked it to Azerbaijan's upcoming presidential election. Alleged intolerance toward dissent -- including the jailing of two opposition leaders for supposedly stirring up a riot in a provincial town -- is another spoiler.
But a look at the convention’s agenda suggests that the US delegates seem to be inclined to dwell on the positive. (As do four video valentines sent by senators and governors unable to attend the gathering.) After all, who would want to mar the day with talk of Azerbaijan’s authoritarian ways when a glass of oil is raised to friendship?
Want to say
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While sorting through the archives on the eve of the 20th of January, I came across a folder with photos given to me by my late colleague Farhad Kerimov.
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On January 7, during a press conference between President I. Aliyev and local TV channels, a representative of Real TV asked: “Do you see Trump in the same boat with us...?”
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I would like to briefly discuss a highly important reform initiated by the Azerbaijani government 10 years ago but remains incomplete to this day.
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In our society, there is no place under the sun for enlightened people. In our society, the place for enlightened individuals is in dark basements. People who ought to spread light are subjected to curses. Their only weapon is their bright ideas. Their only crime relates to daring to uncover truths hidden beneath the societal fog, bringing them to light and acquainting the community with them. Natig Javadli was such a person, a journalist with a historical consciousness and an enlightening activity.
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