Blinken believes Azerbaijan is preparing to invade Armenia - Politico

Baku/14.10.23/Turan: Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned a small group of lawmakers last week that his office believes it is likely that Azerbaijan may soon invade Armenia. This sensational news was reported the day before by the American publication "Politico", citing two congressmen.

In a telephone conversation on 3 October, the congressmen demanded from Blinken to take possible measures against Baku for the military operation in Karabakh.

According to the newspaper, Blinken said that the State Department will not renew the agreement allowing the US to provide military assistance to Baku (907 Amendment).

Blinken also said he "sees the possibility of an Azerbaijani invasion of southern Armenia in the coming weeks," the publication said.

Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in the ongoing diplomatic negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The conversation was reportedly attended by members of Congress known for their pro-Armenian views - Nancy Pelosi, Anna Ash, Frank Pallone and two other members of Congress.

The State Department declined to comment on the reports, but emphasised the department's commitment to Armenia's "sovereignty and territorial integrity" and to resolving the conflict through "direct negotiations".

"Polıtıco" calls "important" the US decision to reapply the 907th Amendment to the Freedom Support Act, which prohibits military assistance to Azerbaijan. This Amendment, introduced back in 1992, has been cancelled every year since 2002, but now it is back in force.

The publication also quoted Hikmet Hajiyev, Aliyev's foreign policy adviser, who denied that Azerbaijan had any claims on Armenian territory.

"Azerbaijan has restored what was legally, historically and morally ours" through the "anti-terrorist" operation and has no intention to invade Armenian territories, he added. -02D-