By RICHARD KAUZLARICH, Falls Church (The writer was ambassador to Azerbaijan from 1994 to 1997)
The Washington Post
Letters to the Editor
The Post’s Aug. 14 editorial “A poor imitation of Russia” was right on, despite Azerbaijani Ambassador Elin Suleymanov’s response [“Azerbaijan’s dissenters,” letters, Aug. 18].
The ambassador did not address the bogus charges of spying for Armenia made against Leyla and Arif Yunus, the fact that Ms. Yunus is being denied medicines and medical treatment or the fact that there are dozens of other political prisoners being detained or imprisoned in Azerbaijani jails.
Belittling the important nongovernmental diplomacy that the Yunuses are involved in to help promote peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan because Azerbaijan “is working through the Minsk Group to achieve this” defies understanding. Neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan has demonstrated a commitment to the Minsk Group framework because neither side is prepared to make the compromises necessary to achieve the peaceful resolution of this conflict.
Nongovernmental diplomacy efforts are an inconvenient reminder for the Azerbaijani regime of its unwillingness to find a peaceful solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Better to have those who seek peace between Armenians and Azerbaijanis in jail.