Acute Questions to Potential Candidate for US Ambassador to Azerbaijan

The tense situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border was discussed at the session of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, during the hearings related the appointment of US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, reports Armenian National Committee of America.

The Head of European Sub-Committee of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Jin Shahin and senator Robert Menendes, addressed a few acute questions to the candidate for Ambassador Richard Morningstar related to USA –Azerbaijan relations, democratic and human right issues in Azerbaijan, as well as Karabakh conflict.

As for US-Azerbaijan relations Morningstar stated that he should continue working with Azerbaijan and advise on democratization and economic improvements and should continue intermediary mission in Karabakh conflict resolution.

Menendes drew the attention to the recent attacks of Azerbaijan on Armenian border and reminded that President of Azerbaijan announced that the Armenians are their enemies worldwide and they should live in awe. He asked whether selling military equipment to a country, which issues such statements stems from the USA’s interests.

“There is extended tension between Azerbaijan and its neighboring countries as well, particularly with Iran. I believe that the possible military support can, by no way, used against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,” he stated.

Senator Menendes asked Morningstar whether the fact of Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 is debatable for him, the latter simply answered, “No.”