Tulin DALOGLU

Clinton goes to Azerbaijan

People all over the world yearn for freedom – to have the ability to shape their own destinies. The process of getting it, however, is never easy – and it raises all kinds of questions about how to achieve greater freedom while creating an environment that both tolerates and respects differences. If the goal is to assure social security and justice and to maintain a functional government with safeguards against at least some uncertainties, the United States is by far the champion of this ideal.

That is one of many reasons why a lot of people will be closely tracking Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s remarks about freedom during her visit to the former Soviet Republics this weekend. Clinton will spend her Independence Day partly in Baku, Azerbaijan and partly in Yerevan, Armenia , where freedom of the press and human rights are questionable. But even Secretary Clinton’s influence only goes so far, and the United States ’ relationship with Azerbaijan is a delicate – and very necessary – one.

The United States needs Azerbaijan to move troops and supplies to Afghanistan . Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently visited Baku , personally delivering a letter to Azerbaijan ’s President, Ilham Aliyev, from President Obama, asking for his continued cooperation with regard to Afghanistan . Secretary Clinton likely will echo that message, and likely will call on both Baku and Yerevan to reach an agreement over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Aliyev has complained for some time that Washington is neglecting Azerbaijan . In fact, there is no U.S. Ambassador in Baku now for over a year. What’s more crucial for Aliyev is that he believes that the push to normalize the Turkey-Armenia relationship has taken place at Azerbaijan ’s expense. Azeris worry that if the Turkey-Armenia process fails, they may lose their chances of reclaiming their occupied land from Yerevan .

In the midst of such challenging circumstances, human rights and freedom may not top Clinton ’s agenda. It could end up looking from afar as though no one really cares about freedom – or that people could take the idea of “freedom” into their own hands. Which brings us back to where we started – the question is not about whether the desire for freedom exists, but rather how to achieve it.

Without a stable or secure environment, freedom can’t flourish. America must always champion freedom; it can never root against its success. But it can’t guarantee it for everyone. What’s more, if the desire for freedom comes from the citizens of a nation, then it really has a chance to succeed. It has to grow from within, rather than being imposed from the outside.

We also need to change how we discuss America ’s role as a champion of freedom. Santa Fe , N.M. Mayor David Cross created an international stir when he declared May 10 as “Haydar Aliyev Day” – named for the former Azeri ruler. The declaration raised protests in Baku and in the Azeri community in the United States , and those who opposed it argued that it celebrated totalitarianism and set their fight for freedom backward.

The thing is, Azeris don’t need to see it that way. They can change the conversation by adopting a different point of view. Any opposition movement must convince people that it can give them a better, safer and more secure future. Thomas Goltz, a Montana State University professor, told me, “Azerbaijani opposition has never proved that they can run a better country.” And that is a very crucial observation. Fighting for rights and freedoms is not easy – but the way the fight is conducted can play a huge role in its outcome. The opposition needs to first make itself relevant to the Azeri people.

Secretary Clinton has enough to manage in the midst of U.S. involvement in two wars and trying to secure America ’s interests around the world. It’s unlikely she wants to get involved in micromanaging the process of freedom for people afar. It’s more vital for the U.S. to lay the groundwork to create an atmosphere – indeed, build and nurture the vital relationships and circumstances – that allow freedom to flourish. But it requires everyone’s cooperation. Right now, the U.S. is focused largely on managing the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – which means everyone else needs to step up and do their part. Taking stock in how the United States affects their circumstances, both positively and negatively, is a place to start. And by choosing to focus on their priorities and not being distracted by things that aren’t as important, Azerbaijan could make a huge leap toward achieving freedom and securing its own future.