Fri 06 November 2009 | 06:15 GMT Text size:

Robert P. Finn

Finn is the Ertegun visiting professor in the Near East Studies Department of Princeton University.

He was the U.S. ambassador to Tajikistan in 1998-2001. His other diplomatic postings include Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir in Turkey, Lahore in Pakistan and Zagreb in Croatia.

Finn opened the U.S. embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 1992. He has received numerous awards from the U.S. government, including one for heroism.

Do you think real soon progress in Karabakh settlement?

The Karabakh problem has been going for so long, it’s hard to say there will be a solution soon.

Do you think that war in Georgia had influence on Azerbaijan and Karabakh settlement and (if   yes) what kind of influence it is?

Obvious, the relations between Georgia and Russia will have some effect on how people look at this, as well as the relations between Turkey and Armenia.

Does misunderstanding between US and Russia in security sphere makes problems in Karabakh settlement?

The bilateral relations between Russia and the U.S. may have some effect on Karabakh, but will not determine the settlement.  That has to be done among the people of the region. And, as you know all of these things are in a state of change right now.

Could the radiolocation station in Azeri Gabala be useful for US- Russia cooperation?

The Gabala station became part of the dialogue about protection, but I honestly don’t know if it’s technically up to the level that’s needed. And again, the larger question of U.S.-Russian relations is the issue, rather than Gabala itself. 

Do you share thoughts that there is big threat coming from Iran to whole world including its neighbors, especially Azerbaijan?

I think that Iran needs to find itself and its place in the world, and the world community needs to help it do so.  In this context, acting honestly and making positive commitments in different areas could help Iran to create a better image for itself, so that other nations perceive it as a partner and not as a threat.

Leyla Tagiyeva
News.Az