YEREVAN (Armenpress)–The US government has never stated that the people Karabakh do not have the right to self-determination–however–only through talks can issues related to the Karabakh conflict be resolved–announced US Ambassador to Armenia Michael Lemmon during a press briefing Wednesday.
Lemmon said if the sides to the Karabakh conflict have the will and prowess–they could quickly resolve the conflict.
However–Lemmon asserted that during the peace process–it was not prudent to be guided by realities of centuries past–as is the case now in Kosovo–accusing the Serbs of awakening old animosities. He added that such an approach would have dire consequences for the process.
Lemmon further stated that every country has the right to determine for itself which route it should take for national security. He was commenting on the Russian military presence in Armenia. He added that the US does not believe that Armenia’should choose between Russia and the US–and must be able to pursue a balanced policy.
A reporter asked Lemmon whether the current US-NATO policy was not a double standard since neither have taken action against Turkish massacres of Kurds. Lemmon responded by saying that the US respected peoples right to self-determination–however–each issue warran’s a unique approach.