BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. The Armenian lobby in the US plans to exert unprecedented pressure on American congressmen in order to influence Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan's restoration of sovereignty over its entire territory has had a bombshell effect on Armenian organizations in the West, particularly in the US. Major organizations like the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) have organized a massive campaign to pressure Washington to influence Baku. They have chosen a straightforward method: voter blackmail.
There isn't much time left until the American elections, and ANCA understands this. The Armenian lobby plans to exert pressure on US congressmen, both Democrats and Republicans simultaneously. Their demands are simple: anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric and calls to take measures against Baku. Those who are more active will receive generous contributions for their election campaigns and the votes of Armenian voters. In the current competitive climate between Democrats and Republicans in the US, ANCA's strategy relies on the assumption that both parties may vie for both money and votes.
It takes quite some talent to spit out lies that less and less people tend to believe, while keeping a straight face. On the other hand, when you're getting paid, you will lie your lungs off, regardless of how it looks.
And this is how it looks through the eyes of ANCA, which recently has voiced its usual cliche attacks on Azerbaijan. In particular, Teresa Yeremyan, government affairs director of ANCA, has called on the US to stop the military aid to Azerbaijan and even to impose sanctions on the country, that is today committing so-called "genocide" against "artsakh’s indigenous Armenian Christians".
Let's take this step by step.
Azerbaijan has recently carried out an anti-terrorist operation to clean ITS OWN LANDS from separatist formations. The operation was very successful, thank you very much. Then, Azerbaijan, once again, extended its hand to Armenians, in particular, to those living in Khankendi, offering them to either stay and reintegrate, or freely leave. Some decided to stay, others were on their way out.
This means, all of these Armenian Christians have a choice - does this look like genocide, anyone? We're not even going to start with the inflated 120,000, which was never confirmed officially by Azerbaijani authorities.
In case anyone forgot, Azerbaijan is a country where aside from Azerbaijanis, also Russians, Iranians, Jews, etc., live and no one is complaining. So yes, in case someone didn't know - there are Christians living in Azerbaijan and they like it here.
ANCA needs to understand something: with or without US military aid - Azerbaijan still would've done the same thing, and it still would've offered the Armenians to either leave or stay. It has nothing to do with arms or money (unlike for ANCA, it seems), for Azerbaijan it's a clear vision of progress, prosperity and peace - which may or may not include Armenians in Khankendi.
There were also comments regarding an alleged 'blockade'. What blockade? Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, and on its own territory Azerbaijan is free to do whatever it wants. Some people probably would need to go back and check out numerous photos and videos of Armenians freely going in and out of Khankendi, as well as receiving food supplies and medicines.
As for sanctions - why would any country put sanctions on Azerbaijan? In case ANCA didn't notice - slapping sanctions on Azerbaijan would not benefit anyone, considering the major energy projects which the country is involved in, as well as the strategic interests of world powers that include Azerbaijan. We're not even talking about the fact that ANCA probably takes the US president for a fool, expecting him to believe emotional statements that are filled with lies and nothing more.
Now, regardless of what ANCA has been repeatedly saying like a broken down robot, Azerbaijan stays on its path, it works to rebuilt its liberated lands, it cleans the ravaged cities from mines, spending millions, and it also gives the Armenians a choice - to stay and be part of something meaningful or leave.
Seems like a quality and righteous recipe to go with. And what's important - Azerbaijan's isn't hiding the recipe in its pocket - come visit, take a look for yourselves.
Despite all the activity that ANCA has planned, they do not take into account the most critical factor - a factor that foreshadows the failure of their intentions. Baku has never allowed anyone to exert pressure on it or dictate its will. Never to anyone - neither to Republicans nor to Democrats.