Aliyev called on U.S. for international isolation of Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns began his February 25, 2010, hour-long meeting with President Ilham Aliyev by stressing that he was sent with the simple message that Washington “wants to build our bilateral relations and create a stronger partnership.” He then offered his condolences for the three Azeri soldiers killed on the Line of Contact on February 18.

According to Wikileaks website, which made public over more than 250,000 U.S diplomatic cables, Aliyev responded that such events show that there is no peace, no peace treaty and no peacekeepers enforcing the cease-fire. He worried more such incidents could happen. Burns commented that such incidents underscored the urgency of finding a political solution on Nagorno Karabakh.

The balance of Aliyev’s comments sought to convey that he was ready to move forward in the Minsk Group process, but that international pressure would be needed if Armenia was to move forward. He said that it is now time “to find a final resolution, but Armenian President Sargsyan wants to walk away from the process.” "I told the co-chairs that Armenia wants to delay as long as possible and escape at the end."" He said that Azerbaijan was prepared to do its part to propel the talks forward. "Now we will try to be even more flexible."

Aliyev outlined several steps to persuade Armenia to agree to the Minsk Group Basic Principles: the three co-chair countries should consolidate their efforts at a senior-level; the three co-chair countries should send a strong message that the independence of NK is not under review, and if these new proposals are not accepted, there should be consequences in terms of international isolation, especially in the form of Russia’s curtailing some of its economic support for Armenia.

Aliyev noted that at Sochi, President Sargsyan had inserted a proposal for specifying a definite date for a referendum or plebiscite on NK final status. This, Aliyev argued, “undermined the entire framework of the agreement, which is premised on an eventual referendum) with no definite timeframe ) in exchange for legalizing "the illegally established regime in NK.""

He also noted that Armenia is vulnerable to isolation because it is dependent upon remittances from its diaspora, as well as imports of gas and electricity. "After 18 years of negotiation, we have tested all options. If this phase (of Minsk Group talks) ends, what is next?" the President asked aloud.