Today.Az » Politics » US State Department disappointed by the words of its own Ambassador to Armenia
27 February 2005 [08:52] - Today.Az
Some news agencies based on Armenian sources quoted US Ambassador to Armenia as saying "Karabakh can not be given to Azerbaijan".
He said this while speaking in Berkley University, CA to the members of Armenian Diaspora. It is strange to hear these words from the representative of US Administartion that has always made clear its support to territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and never recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state.
The words of Ambassador John Evans should be considered as a "private comment at a private party" said State Department official Steve Pike, commenting on the odd statement of its Ambassador to Armenia. "They do not reflect US official position on this issue. US policy on Nagorno-Karabakh remains unchanged", he added.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to US Hafiz Pashayev discussed this incident with US officials, as well as with Laura Kenndey, Deputy Assistant Secretary on Caucasus, Central Asia and Southeast Europe. According to Hafiz Pashayev, from his conversations with US officials he concluded that American side was disappointed with John Evans's statement. US officials once again reassured Azerbaijani Ambassador that the United States supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and doesn't recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state, nor it recognizes its authorities. (AzerTadj)
"This is an irresponsible statement to make on the eve of the next meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia. John Evans should give an explanation to his statement", Azerbaijani Ambassador added. "Every Ambassador tries to be particularly careful in the statements and not use a word that might undermine an official stance of his country in a certain issue. It seems, that an atmosphere of two week long meetings in different states with Armenian Diaspora influenced Ambassador Evans in such an extent, that he didn't adhere to this basic principle of diplomacy".
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