Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.26
By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:
Armenia is neither an important nation, nor an ally of the US, Jason Katz, the principal of Tool Shed Group, a consultancy that advises foreign governments, NGOs and corporations in the realms of strategic communications, politics and policy, said in his article published in the US Roll Call online newspaper.
He is also the former head of Public Affairs and Public Relations for the American Jewish Committee, based in Los Angeles.
Katz reminded that in fact, Armenia recently turned away from the West by joining Eurasian Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.
"Armenian borders and airspace are even patrolled by the Russian military," the author wrote.
Katz also reminded about the recent official newsletter from Brad Sherman, representative from California, democrat. In this newsletter, Sherman talked about his efforts to strengthen ties between the US and Armenia.
Moreover, Sherman wrote that as a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, he has focused on recognizing the "Armenian genocide", increasing aid to Armenia and Armenians of Samtskhe-Javakheti (Georgia), as well as the separatists of Nagorno-Karabakh and "holding Azerbaijan accountable for its actions."
"Why would a member of US Congress go so far to offend not one, but two of America's most important regional allies, Azerbaijan and Georgia?" the author asked, adding that in reality Armenia is not an important nation to the US, but indispensable to the Iranians and Russians.
Therefore, it is especially strange that some Congress members actively promote the interests of Armenia and Armenian people before the voters.
Katz wrote that the whole world, including the US admit that Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region has been illegally occupied by Armenia.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
As for Samtskhe-Javakheti, it is a region within Georgia with compact Armenian minority and subject to territorial claims by some more radical Armenians, according to the article.
Katz assumes that Sherman has a significant Armenian-American community in his district, therefore he supports Armenians. "He should represent their interests - as long as those interests do not go directly against those of the US nation as a whole."
Edited by SI
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