Azerbaijan’s escalation of violence against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and ongoing repression of human rights took center stage during June 14 Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing for U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan designee Richard Morningstar, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)

In successive questions, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Robert Menendez sent a clear message that U.S. – Azerbaijan relations should not solely be founded on energy concerns and must reflect the fundamental issues of democracy building and human rights as well as finding a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

“Azerbaijan’s integration with the West can and must span well beyond pipelines,” said Ambassador-designate Morningstar in his prepared testimony, after underscoring the broad levels of energy and security cooperation between the U.S. and the Caucasus nation. “The United States must also continue to work with Azerbaijan on advancing democratic and economic reforms, including promoting respect for the rule of law, transparency, and fundamental freedoms.” Morningstar went on to cite that “to achieve a more secure and prosperous future for the region, there is no higher immediate priority for the United States than the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

In his questions to Morningstar, Sen. Menendez called specific attention to recent cross-border attacks by Azerbaijan against Armenia, threats by President Aliyev that “Armenian will live in fear,” and the assertion that “Our [Azerbaijan’s] main enemies are Armenians of the world.” Menendez continued, asking “do you think, based upon those types of statements, that the proposed sales of military hardware to be used in conjunction with Azerbaijan’s military helicopter fleet is really in the national interest of the United States?”

Morningstar responded that “that it is fair to say, and I will say, that any language that is counterproductive, such as you have said, that any actions by any party that bring about loss of life, as the Secretary of State said last week, create increased tensions, can create escalations that can have unpredictable and unforeseeable consequences and make even more difficult the task of achieving the settlement in Nagorno Karabakh.” He stopped short, however, of expressly calling out the Azerbaijani Government’s aggression against Armenia.

In terms of military sales to Azerbaijan, Morningstar argued, “There are increasing tensions with respect to other neighbors, in particular with Iran. And we have to provide, I think, security assistance, possibly military assistance in ways that cannot be used to exacerbate any situation with respect to Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh.” Menendez was quick to respond, reminding Morningstar that “I didn’t hear President Aliyev say ‘My main enemy or security concern is Iran,’ he said that, ‘Our main enemies are the Armenians of the world.’ [. . .] I have a real problem with going ahead and selling military hardware to the Azerbaijanis based upon what has happened.”

In response to Sen. Menendez’s question about why the Azerbaijani destruction of the Armenian cemetery in Djulfa was not included in the State Department Religious Freedom Report, Morningstar replied, “. I don’t know. But I can say that if I am confirmed I will make every effort to visit the cemetery and that any kind of desecration such as that is unacceptable, outrageous and I will do my best to get there, and soon.” Menendez continued undeterred, stating that “I would assume the only impediment to your best effort will be the Azerbaijanis not letting you go? I’m trying to understand what your “best effort” is? You’re going to do everything possible to go?” referencing the Aliyev regime’s refusal to allow former Ambassador Bryza to visit the region. “Yes,” replied Morningstar.

As with past nominees, Sen. Menendez pressed Morningstar regarding his position on the proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide, asking “I don’t expect you to answer any differently than I have had previous nominees before this committee do, but I have to ask you whether or not you contest any of the facts what transpired in 1915 as it relates to 1.5 million Armenians who were brutally massacred and marched to their deaths in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire?”

Morningstar replied “No, I do not.”

No date has yet been scheduled for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation vote.