HINT OF THE OLD SCHOOL

He was for a long time at the forefront of the Cold War and then, from 1994-1997, he served as US Secretary of Defence. As head of the Pentagon during Bill Clinton's presidency, William James Perry attached particular importance to the expansion of NATO's partnership with the countries of Eastern Europe. He himself admits that he tried to bring Russia into the NATO Council and make it an important element in the alliance. As a professor at Stanford University, William Perry still supports such integration.

He visited Baku recently. Naturally, we tried not to miss the opportunity to conduct a short interview with the former US Secretary of Defence.

- Mr Perry, thank you very much for agreeing to answer our questions. What brought you to Azerbaijan?

- The South Caucasus is one of the strategically important regions at the centre of world attention. But my visit is more concerned with the history and culture of your region. I am taking a kind of tour to explore the traditions and customs of the peoples of the South Caucasus. In Azerbaijan, I visited the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I delivered a lecture there on "Changes in the post-Soviet countries 25 Years after Perestroika." After the collapse of the Soviet Union, some of the former Soviet countries integrated quickly into the global community, but some experienced great difficulties, which continue to this day.

- How do you assess the changes in post-Soviet Azerbaijan?

- Independence cost your country dear. Azerbaijan had to overcome the tragedy of 20 January and the Karabakh war. But, based on what I have seen now, I can tell you that radical changes have happened here. If I had arrived in Azerbaijan 5 years ago, I would have suggested that preference should be given to scientific centres. But today I am struck by the presence of an institution like the Diplomatic Academy in Azerbaijan. If intelligence is valued highly in a country, then the future of that country will be a bright one.

- Another question about the situation in the region. Recently, the agreement on the presence of Russian military bases in Armenia was extended. How could this affect security in the region?

- We are certainly against this. In general, we want stability to be restored in the region and the Nagornyy Karabakh and other "frozen" conflicts to be resolved without the use of force.

- But Azerbaijan does not exclude the possibility of liberating its occupied territories by military means ... if, of course, if peaceful methods are exhausted.

- I am quite well informed about military developments in Azerbaijan. It even has a Ministry of Defence Industry. But in any event, it is desirable to solve the problem without the use of force.

- How do you see the future of relations between the US and Azerbaijan?

- The US should conduct an exchange of views with Azerbaijan in all spheres. Of course America is a strong state. But by exchanging views, it can learn from the experience of the other side. We have repeatedly witnessed this, especially as Azerbaijan has great potential in its economy, science and high technology.