Oqtay Sadikhzade: "America has voted for changes"

"Obama's victory over McCain was natural as he won in all of the three TV debates and was a leader during the whole electoral campaign and won in the internal elections of the Democratic party", said independent political scientist Oqtay Sadikhzade.

His victory shows the strong and positive democratic progess in the conscience of the US society, said the political scientist and noted that the election of the first black US President in the history showed that the America voted for positive changes.

As for the external policy of the new US president, he said both his external and internal policies will be more peaceful. Obama is not McCain, who supported the continuation of Bush's policy, according to the political scientist.

"The new administration will start working in the White House beginning from January 20 of 2009. I predict that from the very beginning it will undertake a course for softening relations with Russia. Reviewing agreements about missile defense dislocation in Czechia and Poland is not ruled out.

Naturally, the policy of NATO's further advancement to the East will continue. But it will not be a simple expansion of the North Atlantic alliance: all issues will be settled considering the interests in the US-Russia space. The rhetorics of the Washington administration, including towards Russia, will be softer, more flexible and tolerant", said he.

Asked about the impact of Obama's election on the relations of our country with the United States, he said traditionally the platform of democrats covers protection of human rights and democratic achievements of the society more comprehensively.

"We should expect distancing from binding the observation of main human rights and liberties to the oil business. Certainly, Obama stressed rights of nations for self-determination, but he supported the territorial integrity of Georgia. So, there is no threat of the policy of double standards towards us.

The United States will continue mediating in the OSCE Minsk Group and even intensify their efforts as they do not intend to yield the palm to Russia in the Caucasus, especially in the issue of political mediation.

As for possible recognition of the "Armenian genocide", which Obama promised to do, he said to promise does not mean to make it come true.

"The President of such country as the United States, needs to conduct a balanced and careful policy. I do not think that Barack Obama will pronounce the word "genocide". The United States have big energy interests in Russia, and owing to our diplomatic efforts, it is clear to everyone that it is not 1992 now to support Armenians.

/Day.Az/