Even the most uninformed person on earth is aware by now that Turkey is a major accomplice of ISIS. There have been countless news reports in the global media documenting Turkish complicity. Amazingly, there is one American diplomat who seems to be clueless about Turkey’s destructive role in the region, not only in Syria and Iraq, but also in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh)!
How could the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) be that ignorant to give a speech praising Turkey’s “valuable” role in the effort to settle the Artsakh conflict?
In his Dec. 17 statement to OSCE’s Permanent Council, Ambassador Daniel B. Baer had the audacity to praise Turkey’s “constructive role as a Minsk Group member” in the Artsakh conflict. He went on to state that “Turkey has been a valuable member of the Minsk Group and has worked cooperatively with the co-chairs on finding a way forward in peace talks” between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Baer expressed his disagreement with Alexander Lukashevich, Russia’s ambassador to the OSCE, who two days earlier had questioned “Turkey’s constructiveness as a Minsk Group member.” The Russian ambassador had criticized Turkey for siding with “one of the parties of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict [Azerbaijan],” and described Ankara’s position as “unacceptable” and “absolutely destructive.”
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian denounced Baer’s statement, calling it “reckless.” Hachikian noted Turkey’s long list of staunchly pro-Azerbaijan policies: “The Erdogan government actively supports Aliyev’s virulent anti-Armenian positions, openly providing military aid and training to the Azerbaijani military, while, at the same time, blockading Armenia, contrary to international law, and seeking to isolate Yerevan in the international arena.”
The ANCA chairman wondered why “U.S. officials allow themselves to be used as props in Erdogan’s farce, pretending that the Turkish government will—against all evidence—play the role of some sort of impartial mediator?”
Hachikian concluded: “This administration’s shameful legacy of endlessly caving in to Turkish threats—at the expense of our own values and interests as a nation—is truly a national disgrace—an embarrassment beneath the dignity of the American people.”
Several members of the U.S. Congress also condemned Baer’s scandalous remarks. Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said he was “troubled by the recent statement praising Turkey’s role in the Minsk Group peace process made by our U.S. representative to the OSCE. Turkey’s active and overt support of Azerbaijan with regard to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict has been apparent from the beginning. A statement like this will only serve to polarize the negotiations.”
House Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Democrat Adam Schiff of California stated unequivocally that “given Turkey’s behavior and longstanding support for Baku, they cannot be considered—in any way—a neutral broker in what has become an increasingly intense conflict along the Line of Contact.” Schiff further suggested that “instead of stacking the table against Nagorno-Karabagh, all nations should insist upon the deployment of monitoring technology along the border, a step that Armenia has readily agreed to but has been resisted by Azerbaijan, doubtless because it would demonstrate their unprovoked aggression.”
This writer has yet to see a reaction from Armenia challenging Baer’s ill-advised and inappropriate remarks. Silence would imply agreement with the U.S. ambassador’s unfortunate words. In fact, Baer should be severely criticized by everyone, Armenians and non-Armenians alike, for encouraging Turkey’s detrimental meddling in the Artsakh conflict. Instead of praising Turkey’s “constructive” and “valuable” role, the U.S. ambassador should have followed the example of his Russian counterpart and lashed out at Ankara’s sinister and destructive efforts.
Two years ago, when he was sworn in as envoy to the OSCE, Baer released a video in which he cheerfully announced his excitement to live in Vienna, adding, “We look forward to exploring a wonderful city, and going skiing and hiking in Austria, and to traveling around the OSCE region.”
Baer seems more interested in tourism at U.S. taxpayers’ expense than engaging in serious diplomatic work. If that is the case, President Barack Obama should relieve the ambassador of his duties, so he can continue his sightseeing tour of Europe at his own expense!
Harut Sassounian
Daniel Baer is a puppet and a reflection of how screwed up and rudderless the Us State Department is, filled with incompetent people,
A bunch of ignorants,with no qualifications, appointed by the spineless Obama, who have done irreparable damage to every political turmoil they have intervened or interfered in. Every area they were involved in, turned out to be bloody mess. They should all be fired.
Vart Adjemian
Is he “clueless”?
With his statement, like Turkey, he is danger to any peace process.
“One American diplomat”? I am truly sorry Harut that you have made such a statement. Try the American congress, state department and every other government institution and you will be surprised how many are ignorant of the facts. Sorry “ignorant” is not the correct word to use but I am sure you know exactly what it is. Unbelievable statement – sorry Harut. Generally, they have NO CLUE.