Katie Porter: “I think it seems clear to all of us here who have talked about this issue and I think the debate has been a very good…”

“I think it seems clear to all of us here who have talked about this issue and I think the debate has been a very good one, that we ought to be able to agree on at least three goals: The first and most important goal is that we establish a condition of peace and normal relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. That ought to be the highest priority for the United States. Secondly, that we do everything within our power to encourage the development of the Caspian oil fields controlled by Azerbaijan by American oil companies. And the third goal would be that the oil pipeline to carry that oil developed by American oil companies to market go through Armenia. That would be, Mr. Chairman, a win-win-win situation for Armenia, for Azerbaijan and for the American oil companies. Unfortunately, people in that part of the world do not necessarily see things the way we do in the United States where there is a win-win-win, and often it is seen that if one side gains, the other side loses and you have only out of that a stalemate. Let us also agree that this administration's efforts in the peace process in that part of the world have been weak.”