Experts differ in assessing US’ criticism of Azerbaijani authorities’ actions against Radio Liberty

Experts have expressed different opinions when assessing the actions against the Baku office of the Radio Liberty with regard to relations between Baku and Washington. According to political analyst Arastun Orudjlu, the Azerbaijani authorities deliberately take steps to deteriorate the relations with the United States. According to Mekhman Aliev, the director of the news agency "Turan", it is not worth expecting serious pressure from the US on the Azerbaijani authorities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 26, law enforcers searched the Baku office of the Radio Liberty. The office was sealed, and while interrogated, staff members signed oaths of secrecy of investigation.

In fact, the closure of the Baku office of the Radio Liberty, which took place after a telephone conversation of the US Secretary of State John Kerry with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev, became "evidence of the deterioration of relations between Baku and Washington." This opinion was expressed by Azerbaijani political analyst Arastun Orudjlu, the leader of the Centre for Research "East-West".

Arastun Orudjlu has noted that there may be different versions to explain such actions of the Azerbaijani authorities. The expert even does not exclude that the Azerbaijani authorities may pursue such a policy under the influence of Moscow.

The expert considers it possible that after the "Maydan" in Ukraine, Moscow has succeeded in convincing Baku that a similar scenario is being prepared for Azerbaijan.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.