Azerbaijan suspects American diplomats of spying?February 18, 2014 - 18:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Recent media reports alleging that two U.S. Senate staffers visited Azerbaijan for intelligence purposes are absurd, U.S. embassy in Azerbaijan stated, according to ANS PRESS. "As we said last week, congressional staff delegations routinely visit Azerbaijan to meet with embassy staff, Azerbaijani officials, and civil society representatives. They do so to better inform our government’s legislative efforts regarding Azerbaijan and the rest of the region," the statement said. Frequent visits of American congressmen and politicians to Baku are meant to promote the U.S. agenda of gaining control over the Caspian region’s energy resources. After presidential elections in Azerbaijan, dubbed “the worst idea of 2013” by the U.S. media, ex-envoy Matthew Bryza stated, “Cooperation between the U.S. and Azerbaijan is based on three principles: democracy, energy and security. And the United States will never sacrifice democracy to the energy interests. Democracy and human rights issues are our values. We value them and wish that our partners respected those views too. And we have never sacrificed and will never sacrifice democracy to oil and energy interests. All of these three directions are important for us, and we continue working with Azerbaijan on these issues.” Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |