BAKU (RFE/RL) — Matthew Bryza, the US ambassador to Azerbaijan, has denounced Azerbaijan’s threats to shoot down civilian planes flying to Nagorno- Karabagh if the sole airport in the disputed region reopens as planned this spring.
In a weekend interview, Bryza also reaffirmed Washington’s strong opposition to possible attempts at a military solution to the Karabagh conflict.
“The threat or use of force, including against civilian aircraft that pose no threat themselves, is unacceptable, and runs counter to commitments made by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia to seek a peaceful, negotiated settlement,” he said. “We urge the sides to work together to resolve all issues of commercial aviation safety prior to the planned opening of a new airport in Nagorno Karabagh.”
The airport, located eight kilometers east of Stepanakert, is currently undergoing capital reconstruction that began last year. It is due to be inaugurated on May 9 for the first commercial flights between Karabagh and Armenia in two decades.
Arif Mammadov, the director of Azerbaijan’s Civil Aviation Administration, said last week that his government has formally notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that it does not authorize any flights to and from Karabagh. He warned that defiance of that ban could lead to “the physical destruction of airplanes landing in that territory.”
The Armenian leadership of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic condemned the threat and warned that any attempt to thwart the planned flights would meet with an “adequate response” from the Karabagh Armenian military. It said the reopening of the airport will go ahead as planned.
