Azerbaijan complicates challenge of reaching durable peace over Karabakh – John Evans

On the occasion of the United States’ independence anniversary, celebrated annually on July the 4th, Tert.am has interviewed John Evans, the US ambassador to Armenia from 2004 to 2006, over the American values and democratic principles, addressing among other things also the evolution of US-Armenia relations and their current level, as well as the existing situation after the latest Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) war.

It has been more than 200 years since the US Declaration of Independence was adopted. According to that document, all men are created equal, and there are certain unalienable rights that governments should never violate. These include the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Whenever a government fails to protect those rights, people themselves obtain the right – as well as the duty – to overthrow that government. It always seems to us that all Americans are consistent when it comes to the pursuit of their own rights, with the US governments not having a chance to not protect the rights of those people. I wonder if our perceptions are true. How would you describe today’s America?

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are, of course, two of the foundational documents of our American democracy, written at different times for different purposes. The Declaration of July 4, 1776, was our notice to the British monarchy and the world that we intended to seek our independence, and our list of those grievances that impelled us to do so. It is notable in particular for its claim that "all men are created equal," a very bold thing to have said in 1776, and a challenge that has rippled down through history ever since. The Constitution, on the other hand, was written by men assembled from the thirteen original colonies after our independence from Britain had been secured, and was meant to provide the rules by which a democratic republic should live. Of course, it was not perfect, and was quickly amended ten times (the Bill of Rights). It must be noted that the drafters of the Constitution, like the signers of the Declaration, were men of property of English descent: no women, no enslaved Africans, and no indigenous Americans (although I recently learned that the framers of the Constitution consulted a number of Iroquois chieftains in developing their concept of federalism). It has been said that the US Constitution is "an invitation to struggle" because it divides power between the legislative and executive branches, with the Supreme Court acting as a referee. The great historian Arnold Toynbee went further and wrote of the "Continuing Effect of the American Revolution" throughout the world. The gap between stated democratic values and existing realities continues to fuel the political process one can observe today in America and elsewhere. It was the continuing existence of slavery that led to our Civil War 1861-65, the consequences of which we are still wrestling with. Achieving a balance within society between the rights of the individual and the public welfare is a continuing challenge.

With the American experience in mind, what would you mention as the main principles and values for countries in terms of achieving stability, development and welfare?

I have always believed that the American experience could be useful to other countries, but ultimately every society must decide for itself how to order its affairs and achieve its goals. The American "model" is not suited to every circumstance. Every country has its own history and set of challenges.

Armenia and the United States have been developing diplomatic relations for 30 years now. You were the US ambassador to Armenia between 2004-2006. I would like to know your opinion about the evolution of the relations between the two countries. How do you evaluate them now?

The United States was among the first to recognize Armenia's independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. American policy has been to support economic development, regional security and the growth of democratic institutions. To what extent our policy has been successful is open to question, but surely there have been more pluses than minuses. International relations are in constant flux, as life is always presenting new and different challenges. That said, I do not foresee major changes in US policy toward the states of the South Caucasus.

Mr. Evans, availing of the opportunity of the interview with you, I would like to ask you questions also about the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh. After 44-day war, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev appeared with a statement saying that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been resolved, and Armenia should not have any demands. What are your thoughts of the post-war situation? What attitude do you think President Joe Biden’s administration has adopted towards this issue?

The United States, as one of the three Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, has always advocated a peaceful resolution of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, along with France and the Russian Federation. For some twenty-six years the mediators attempted to assist the parties in reaching a just and lasting solution, several times coming quite close, as in Key West in 2001. But diplomacy, like politics, is the art of the possible, and we saw last fall what can happen. The violence and destruction of the war launched by Azerbaijan have brought great pain and suffering to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the challenge of reaching a peaceful and durable solution has unfortunately been made more difficult. As has always been the case, the Co-Chairs are available to assist the parties, but it is the parties themselves who are ultimately responsible for resolving the many issues at stake.

Armenian captives are still being held hostage in Azerbaijan after the war for purposes of political bargaining and trade. What solution do you see to this particular issue? Do you see any possibility for the United States to help Armenia with this problem to facilitate the repatriation of its captivated citizens?

Unfortunately, the seizure of hostages for ransom or political bargaining is practiced by some states and non-state actors. The first war fought by the United States was against the pirates of the Barbary Coast of North Africa, who engaged in such practices. It was encouraging to see the return of some of the Armenians who have been wrongfully detained, and the charges dropped by the court in Baku against others, but the original actions - not to mention acts of cruelty and savagery we have seen in some videos - go against established international norms and humanitarian principles. They must be condemned.