| Racing Up Hill: Selected Papers of Azerbaijan's First Ambassador to the United States of America |  | Author: Hafiz M. Pashayev
Publisher: Global Scholarly Publications
Category: Book
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Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 2408886
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 339
Number Of Items: 1
ISBN: 1592670652
EAN: 9781592670659
ASIN: 1592670652
Publication Date: January 2006
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| Customer Reviews:
One of the first Western books by an Azerbaijani writer November 1, 2006
A. Baguirov
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev, heading the Azerbaijani embassy in Washington D.C., since 1993, has been at the forefront of the constantly developing relations between Azerbaijan and the United States -- from its lows, stemming from the passage of the notorious Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992, and various other anti-Azerbaijan lobbying efforts by the Armenian diaspora and groups, to the waiver of that very same section 10 years later, and the elevation of the relationship to that of a "strategic partnership" (Amb. Harnish, 2003-2006) and Azerbaijan being described as the "locomotive of the region" (President George W. Bush, 2006).
Being appointed to represent the newly independent nation first under scientist-turned President Abulfaz Aliyev (Elchibey, 1992-1993), Dr. Pashayev, himself formerly a scientist in the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, then served under veteran politician and "political colossus" (in the words of President Putin, October 2003) Heydar Aliyev (1993-2003), and then under the current President Ilham Aliyev (since 2003), before leaving his post and transitioning to a new and perhaps more important job - bringing his experience and expertise back home, and giving it back to the young diplomats and International Relations (IR) specialists, as the Deputy Foreign Minister and Rector (Dean) of the newly founded Diplomatic Academy of Azerbaijan.
Being a first-hand witness of all the important developments shaping the world, the Caspian region, and particularly his native land from the hills of the "Third Rome", this book is important and interesting to the reading public at large for its historic value alone, as a memoir and chronological account of the challenging race up Hill. However, as one of the first books by an Azerbaijani expert being published in the West, in English, this monograph is also important as a valuable source of knowledge and insight for any diplomat, as well as students and scholars of the region, especially those researching the countries in transition and post-Soviet development. As such, the book is a must read for students of diplomacy, IR and Political Science, as well as International Political Economy.
One can only hope that such endeavors would continue in the future, and the Western public will be able to enjoy more scholarly, analytic and journalistic accounts, studies and research from Azerbaijani authors.
U.S.-Azerbaijan Relations and Beyond... December 25, 2006
John Locke
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"Racing Up Hill" by Ambassador Hafiz M. Pashayev is the first book to dwell into an in-depth analysis of U.S.-Azerbaijan relations and their development since 1992. It includes "speeches and public presentations at American universities, think tanks and business forums in over thirty U.S. states" and "a number of articles, interviews and statements that appeared in the U.S. press."
Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski asserts that "Racing Up Hill" is "[a]n important documentary contribution as well as insightful personal collections, regarding the difficult path to Azerbaijan's international consolidation and closer American-Azeri relations. Ambassador Pashayev's work in Washington made an invaluable contribution to progress on both of the above fronts."
The description on the front flap sums up quite well all issues highlighted in the book. It reads, "The book sheds light on the intricate dynamics of U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relations since the first day of Azerbaijan's official presence in the United States. At the same time, the issues addressed herein - getting Caspian energy resources to the West, resolving regional conflicts, promoting democracy in a new state, geopolitical competition over the South Caucasus region and the role of Congress in the formulation of U.S. foreign policy - all have significance that extends far beyond the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship."
"Racing Up Hill" consists of four chapters, in addition to a preface and an introduction. There are also sections with Photos, Maps and Appendix (I-III). The preface is written by Dr. Fred Starr of John Hopkins University, who asserts that "[Racing Up Hill] is a tale of formidable obstacles and of decisive advantages, of lofty principles and low cunning, of steady learning and willful ignorance. It is, in short, a microcosm of diplomacy itself"(p. xi).
Ambassador Pashayev starts his introduction with a quote from Mohandas Gandhi, which reads "Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment; full effort is full victory" (p. 1). This quote certainly reflects the spirit of Pashayev's work as the first Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States.
"This is not just the story of Hafiz Pashayev, the Ambassador of a once unknown country on the edge of the Caspian Sea," he writes, "It is also a personal reflection of life in America and the history behind a new and enduring relationship between a superpower and a small country surrounded by larger powers" (p.1).
Pashayev divides the stages in U.S.-Azerbaijan relations into three periods (Chapter 1-3): chp.1) Putting Azerbaijan on Washington's Map (1993-1994); chp.2) Developing Strong U.S.-Azerbaijan Relations (1995-2001); chp.3) From Cooperation and Partnership to Strategic Relationship (2002-2006). Each chapter also includes chronologically classified letters by Ambassador to the U.S. Congress and U.S. government. The last chapter has Pashayev's articles and letters to the Editor published in the U.S. press.
According to Pashayev, the first year in Washington (Chapter 1 - 1993-1994) was the "most complex" in his thirteen-year diplomatic service. He states that at the time U.S.-Azerbaijani relations were not only "practically non-existent," but they were also "downgraded" by the U.S. Congress, which placed "the first obstacle in the path of U.S.-Azerbaijani bilateral relations" (p. 13). By "obstacle" Pashayev refers to the Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992, which "paralyze[d] U.S.-Azerbaijani relations" and "banned all U.S. Government assistance, including humanitarian aid, to the Republic of Azerbaijan" (p. 12). He writes that "...by supporting Section 907, the U.S. Congress unknowingly facilitated humanitarian crisis in Azerbaijan and allowed the Armenian lobby to hold hostage U.S. Strategic interest in the region for many subsequent years" (p. 14). The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which resulted in the occupation of almost 20 percent of his country and about a million of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, was the second major issue that Pashayev "had to cope with during the first two years of his Ambassadorship" (p. 14).
Chapter Two (May, 1994- September, 2001) marks the beginning of the second stage in U.S.-Azerbaijani relations. It starts with a signing of a cease-fire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that allowed Azerbaijan to concentrate on promoting its hydrocarbon wealth. "The Contract of the Century" between Azerbaijan and the western oil companies was signed on September 20, 1994. Pashayev writes that "From this time onward, U.S.-Azerbaijani relations developed in multiple directions; including the fields of energy and economic cooperation" (p. 81). In this chapter, he also talks about the 1997 visit of the late President Heydar Aliyev to Washington and discusses "the political and legal maneuvering surrounding the decision on" the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
In Chapter Three, Pashayev writes about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the global war on terror, the inauguration of the BTC pipeline, the upgraded "strategic relationship and alliance" between the United States and Azerbaijan, the "color revolutions" in the former Soviet Union republics, the October 2003 Presidential and November 2005 Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan.
"This tragic event changed the United States and the rest of the world overnight," remarks Pashayev referring to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He states that "Azerbaijan was among the first states to offer its help to the United States and the American people." But he also complains that "in this critical moment for U.S. national security, it was Section 907 that blocked the U.S. military from cooperation with Azerbaijan" (p. 193). "Ironically, only after the 9/11 tragedy did the U.S. Government and U.S. Congress realize how damaging and detrimental Section 907 had been to the U.S. national interest for all these years" (p. 193).
Pashayev concludes the introduction of Chapter Three by stating that "Today U.S.-Azerbaijan relations are firmer than ever before and I am proud and elated that my years of service have contributed to building up these relations" (p. 201).
"Racing Up Hill" is a valuable source for any political science or international relations scholar, student and researcher who studies the foreign policy of Azerbaijan and/or interested in learning more about developments in U.S.-Azerbaijan relations, energy projects and geopolitics in the Caspian region, and the role of interest and ethnic lobbying groups in influencing U.S. foreign policy and decisions of U.S. Congress. The book will surely be an important addition to your library.
Fariz Ismailzade's review December 29, 2006
Fariz Ismayilzada
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is an excellent tool for those who are interested or study the US Foreign Policy, Congressional politics, interest/ ethnic/ lobby groups and their influence on the decision making process in the US as well as politics of the Caucasus and Caspian region. The latter is especially well described and detailed in the book.
Ambassador Pashayev served as Azerbaijan's first ambassador to the US during one of the most interesting times in the country's history. On one hand- newly regained independence, opportunities ahead and new relations to build. On another hand- war with Armenia, flood refugees, new multi-billion energy projects to develop and security threats to take care of.
Indeed, 1990s was very challenging for the young Azerbaijani Republic and most of these challenges are well covered and described in the book. The readers will appreciate a number of personal stories, tips and guidelines on how to develop mutually beneficial relations with the US politicians both from legislative and executive branches as well as media sector. Several real-life letters to media outlets are US politicians are attached in the book.
One other feature of the book that I enjoyed most was the easiness it is written and smoothness with which it takes the reader throughout time. As if you get a chance to see the beginning of great ideas and political projects, their implementation despite hardships and obstacles and their final realization. Super regional projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which effectively broke the Russian monopoly on regional energy exports and Azerbaijan-US security ties and their joint war against terror are perfect examples of these ideas.
The book is written in a very honest and sincere manner. Ambassador touches upon both achievements and shortcomings of the modern Azerbaijan as well as the fair and unjust policies of the US towards the region.
Highly recommended for diplomats, researchers, college students and general audience.
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