Thursday, May 21, 2015

Europe’s Caspian gas dreams – a nightmare come true for human rights in Azerbaijan

Several days ago I posted a reader comment on article, Europe’s Caspian gas dreams – a nightmare come true for human rights in Azerbaijan. After several days the comment us still under moderation. Perhaps commentary was restricted due to the subject.

Here is that reader comment:

David Davidian says: May 18, 2015 at 4:30 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

If Azerbaijan is an embarrassment to the EU, what difference does it make. Nobody is holding their breath waiting for BP and others to sell their interest in the BTC pipeline simply due to HR conditions in sovereign Azerbaijan. Apparently, Azerbaijan is not as bad as Nigeria, yet.

Easily predicted HR and oligarchic corruption were “non- issues” when the BTC and Southern Caucasus pipelines were being proposed, built, and as hydrocarbons began flowing to key customers. Now Azerbaijan is a nightmare? Is this hypocritical, probably, but this doesn’t make any difference either. NATO, EBRD and EIB representatives still flock to Baku, some bestowing praise, others bringing loans! All carrots. Perhaps Baku’s HR issues will magically disappear when it’s time to re-negotiate energy contracts.

Yerevan, Armenia