Expert says Armenia itself severed critical rail links, Section 907 outdated

Section 907 of the “Freedom Support Act,” passed by the U.S. Congress at the start of the Karabakh conflict, was inherently unfair and politically biased, according to Hungarian political scientist and expert on international law and post-Soviet conflicts Attila Hargitai, who spoke to Azertag.

Hargitai said the amendment was based on a false premise of an alleged “blockade” of Armenia by Azerbaijan, which did not reflect reality.

“Azerbaijan did not block Armenia. In fact, the facts indicate the opposite: it was Yerevan that dismantled railway tracks in the Meghri district, as well as in the territories of the Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Fuzuli districts, which were under occupation. In doing so, it effectively cut itself off from important transport routes and external communications. Yet instead of acknowledging this reality, Armenia accused Baku of a ‘blockade’ and, using strong lobbying resources in the U.S., managed to push through the Congress the completely absurd Section 907, aimed against one side of the conflict — the victim side,” he emphasised.

According to Hargitai, the provision today appears not only outdated but clearly anachronistic.

“A peace treaty has been initialled, regional communications have been restored, and freight movement through Azerbaijan to Armenia has resumed. The new reality requires new political decisions. In this context, maintaining Section 907 has neither legal nor moral justification. Especially considering that the U.S. President has already called for its repeal. The time has come to finally close this chapter and fully annul this unfair amendment,” he concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova