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Category: Azerbaijan

  • Protest by Azeri-US and Turkish-US community activists

    Protest by Azeri-US and Turkish-US community activists

    pic76922

    On Friday, November 19, 2010, in a first-ever Azeri-American public protest in California, a group of Azeri and Turkish community activists held a picket outside of the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California to protest an event featuring a separatist warlord, self-proclaimed “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) President”, Bako Sahakyan, as a speaker. The event was hosted by the World Affairs Council (WAC) of Orange County and sponsored by the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), and other Armenian-American groups.

    The picketers held up slogans demanding the return and restoration of the rights of 800,000 Azerbaijanis displaced as a result of ongoing occupation and ethnic cleansing committed by Armenian forces on Azerbaijani territories. They also distributed factsheets with references on the conflict from U.S. and international sources to visitors at the event venue entrance.

    In addition, a group of 10 Azeri- and Turkish-American community activists attended the speech by Bako Sahakyan inside the Pacific Club.  Introducing the speaker was the Consul General of Armenia, Grigor Hovhannissian, who talked about the “heroic” achievements of “NKR” on a path towards self-determination. It is noteworthy, that the Republic of Armenia does not recognize the illegitimate “NKR” due to the claimed commitment to peace negotiations under the OSCE Minsk Group format. Yet high-level Armenian diplomats in the United States not only participate, but also sponsor a visit by so-called “NKR President”. Such actions manifest a clear disrespect to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and its mediating OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

    Taking the stage over next, Bako Sahakyan expressed his excitement over recent decision on the legality of Kosovo independence by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in his opinion, will increase prospects for “NKR” to be independent as well. Sahakyan also reiterated the necessity of including “NKR” as a party in the negotiation process, repeatedly criticizing Azerbaijan’s opposition to it.

    He failed to recall, however, that the 1992 Baker Rules (named after then-U.S. Secretary of State James Baker) laid out the current OSCE peace negotiation format, with Armenia and Azerbaijan as “principal” and Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian and Azeri communities as “interested” parties to conflict.

    After the speech, during the Q&A session, Mr. Sahakyan was confronted with several questions from Azerbaijani visitors and publicly demonstrated further lack of any understanding of conflict history, settlement process, providing completely incoherent and irrelevant answers.

    Asked to comment on his authority to represent “the people of Nagorno-Karabakh”, while third of those were Azeris ethnically cleansed from their homes, Bako Sahakyan said that the engagement of Karabakh’s Azeri community is possible only if “NKR” is recognized as an equal party to the conflict.  Armenian separatist did not explain, however, what prevents him from engaging with Azeri community of Karabakh within the OSCE defined format of an “interested” party. Instead Mr. Sahakyan repeated the old counterproductive slogan that it is impossible for Karabakh to be part of Azerbaijan.

    Asked to comment on the words of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan about the 1992 Khojaly Massacre (“before Khojali, the Azerbaijanis thought that they were joking with us, they thought that the Armenians were people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population. We were able to break that [stereotype].” (Thomas de Waal. Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War, NYU Press, 2004)) – Armenian separatist warlord went on to deny the Armenian responsibility [for the massacre] already acknowledged by Human Rights Watch, Armenia’s “national hero” Monte Melkonian and even the incumbent President of Armenia. Claiming that he knows the “crux of the matter” and that Azerbaijan is using Khojaly Massacre as leverage against the recognition of “1915 Armenian Genocide”, Mr. Sahakyan failed to answer the posed question honestly and coherently.

    The real “pearl” of Bako Sahakyan speech came at the end of Q&A session, when he was asked to comment on the impact of Azerbaijan’s growing military budget on the fate of illegitimate “NKR” entity. Choking on his own invention of “Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict”, Mr. Sahakyan misfired that Armenian Armed Forces (and not so-called “NKR forces”) are ready to defend it in case of a possible war.

    During the past week, the board directors of Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC) and other Azeri-American groups addressed their concern to the World Affairs Council of Orange County with an appeal to cancel this presentation by Bako Sahakyan. We regret that the WAC-OC leadership did not listen to these recommendations, instead proceeding with an event that did not produce any useful outcome in terms of either knowledge or conflict resolution, instead focusing on repeated dissemination of ethnocentric and irredentist views of the speaker.

    http://www.today.az/news/vdiaspora/76922.html

  • Turkish MP: Otherwise, Armenia Will Fail To Find Its Place In The 21st Century

    Turkish MP: Otherwise, Armenia Will Fail To Find Its Place In The 21st Century

    turkoneInterview with member of the Great National Assembly of Turkey (Parliament) from the ruling Justice and Development Party, Ozlem Turkone.

    Q: Are there any hopes that Armenia will finally come to senses and try to go ahead with the process of normalizing relations with Turkey?

    A: Hopefully, a time will come when Armenia will strive to continue the process of normalizing relations with Turkey. The most important thing for us is that Turkey has made a major change in its foreign policy – zero problems with neighbors. Recently, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan signed many bilateral agreements during a trip to Greece. Our relations with Syria are also developing. Everybody knows about our diplomatic steps towards Iran and its nuclear program. We stand for integrity of Iraq. Also, successful policies are conducted in the Balkans. What is left? Only Armenia.  We want to negotiate with Armenia to some extent. But this does not mean that we will do this hurting our fraternal Azerbaijan and our Azerbaijani brothers. Azerbaijan’s struggle is our struggle.

    Q: What are your views on the fact that Armenia has unilaterally frozen the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations? Is any progress possible in this regard?

    A: OSCE Minsk Group was not active in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict before the process of normalizing relations with Armenia started. But as soon as Turkey signed protocols to normalize relations with Armenia and stressed that the Armenian-Turkish border will open only after a fair settlement to the Karabakh conflict is achieved, the international community stepped up efforts. And nobody can stop it.

    With regard to the Armenian-Turkish normalization, the protocols are signed, and our position is clear and explicit. Turkey’s position is that Armenia should de-occupy Azerbaijan’s territories that make up a fifth of the country. Mr. Erdogan has announced this on many occasions. Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is impossible without this.

    Q: In your opinion, how long will it take to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a fair way and normalize Armenian-Turkish relations?

    A: I cannot say that there will be some breakthrough in this regard in a short time. The processes intensified after Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed. But there was no progress in these issues in 2010. We are going to witness a long process. It also depends on what changes will occur in American politics. In addition, Russia’s approach is also very important. Therefore, it is difficult to cite some specific dates.

    Q: Armenia is happy about the elections to the U.S. Congress. Armenian experts believe that the new U.S. Congress will be more pro-Armenian than the former one. Is it true?

    A: I do not share this view because Congress will mainly consist of Republicans rather than Democrats this time. Republicans have more positive attitude toward Turkey. We have seen this for years. It is wrong to think that majority in Congress support the so-called “Armenian genocide”. For example, Nancy Pelosi, who strongly supported the bill recognizing the so-called “Armenian genocide”, lost elections in California, home to a large Armenian diaspora. That is, in fact, the Armenian lobby is not as strong as before. It is not strong on the political level. Unfortunately, the Armenian diaspora has concentrated all its efforts against Turkey.

    Q: In your opinion, what will Armenia’s future be if it fails to settle the Karabakh conflict and open the border with Turkey?

    A: Naturally, it is clear that if Armenia does not solve these problems, it will not end up well for the country. I should also note that the events that took place in the South Caucasus showed that military action could break out in a moment. Stability in the Caucasus can be broken very easily. Therefore, Turkey has always and everywhere said that it is necessary to create a joint platform for strategic cooperation in the South Caucasus. Armenia is a part of it. If Armenia joins this system, peace and stability will dominate in South Caucasus. We are saying we should see benefits and make a profit instead of risks. If Armenia realized it, its economy would not be in such a disorderly state today. Oil and gas pipelines would cross also Armenia’s territory and profit the country. Armenia should abandon obstinacy on some issues. Otherwise, Armenia will not find a place in the 21st century. What is more important is that Armenia has to constantly remind the Armenian diaspora living thousands miles away that its population is in poverty and hunger. The Armenian diaspora living in other geographic location shows that it does not think about Armenia. That’s my opinion.

    /Day.Az/

  • Turkey to spotlight “frozen conflicts”

    Turkey to spotlight “frozen conflicts”

    France, Strasbourg, Nov. 10 / Trend, A.Maharramli /

    davutoglu ahmetTurkey as chairing country of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will keep the focus on so-called “frozen conflicts”, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Wednesday at a joint press conference with the CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland and Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki.

    “As the current chairing country of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, we certainly will keep the focus on so-called “frozen conflicts”. Naturally, policies and activities of the CoE will cover these conflicts,” Davutoglu said answering a reporter’s question about what contribution Turkey can make to the resolution of “frozen conflicts”, including Nagorno-Karabakh, during country’s chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.

    November 10, the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers for six months (until May 11, 2011) was passed to Turkey from Macedonia.

    A conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

    The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently holding negotiations to resolve the dispute.

    Armenia has failed to implement UN Security Council resolutions stipulating the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.

    Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at trend@trend.az

  • Armenia-Georgia-Iran vs. Ankara-Tbilisi-Baku

    Armenia-Georgia-Iran vs. Ankara-Tbilisi-Baku

    IranGeorgiaArmeniaArmenia must not be idle. Deepening Georgia-Armenia-Iran cooperation may – if not counterbalance – at least exist simultaneously with the Turkey-Georgia-Azerbaijan axis, writes the Azg newspaper, commenting on Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki’s recent visit to Tbilisi, as well as the establishment of visa-free regime and opening of an Iranian consulate on Batumi.

    According to the author of the article entitled “Iran-Georgia-Armenia relations”, Georgia will only enhance its role if it is involved in both alliances. For Armenia to become a land link between Iran and Georgia, it has first of all to ensure minimum conditions for transit. “In this respect, the North-South highway is of high importance to both Armenia and the region. The construction is to be launched soon. A highway to run through Armenia – from the Georgian-Armenian border to the Armenian-Iranian border – will be constructed in conformity with international standards,” the newspaper writes.

    Why are deeper Iranian-Georgian relations of importance for Armenia? Armenia has a land border both with Iran and with Georgia. Also, Iran and Georgia, in contrast to Turkey and Azerbaijan, are in good relations with Armenia.

    Russia tried to counterbalance the West’s expansion policy with the North-South corridor, which would connect Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran. However, the project failed for a number of reasons, Russia’s faults being among them. First, Moscow and Tbilisi are aggressive and even hostile to each other. After the August war the two states severed their relations. In fact, a new dividing line, closed Russian-Georgian border, appeared in addition to the Turkish-Armenian and Armenian-Azeri borders. Viewing Armenia as its strategic ally, Russia has never attached importance to Georgian-Armenian relations or to deep Georgia-Armenia-Iran cooperation.

    Moreover, in its communication with Iran, Russia prefers Azerbaijan rather than Armenia. It was Russia that prevented the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline from reaching Georgia – it considered the project as posing a threat to its gas interests.

    “Turkey and Azerbaijan are hostile to Georgian-Armenian and Georgian-Armenian-Iranian cooperation, which eases the situation for Armenia, whereas Baku and Ankara aim at bringing Armenia to its knees,” the newspaper writes.

    https://news.am/eng/news/37228.html, November 06, 2010

  • Pan-Turkic Summit in Istanbul Looks to Foster Unified Turkic Identity

    Pan-Turkic Summit in Istanbul Looks to Foster Unified Turkic Identity

    panturkic summit

    ISTANBUL (Hurriyet)–Delegates from Turkic countries gathered Thursday in Istanbul at the World Turkic Forum to highlight the common ties among their countries while promoting steps toward the creation of a more overarching Turkic identity.

    “In a globalized world, we want to spread our message to the world as Turkic citizens,” said Nazim Ibrahimov, Azerbaijan’s Diaspora minister.

    Participants made many references to the Silk Road and military conquests in the same breath as goals for the countries to unite under a common set of values.

    “The main target of the forum is to improve our values, expand our national values and make them international,” said Mahir Yagcilar, the minister of environment for Kosovo, which has a sizeable Turkish population. “The Turkish Republic is the mainland.”

    Ahat Andıcan, a former state minister and professor at Istanbul University, echoed Ibrahimov’s call, saying: “In the 21st century, we will be the part [of the world] that is shaping the world. We should. We must.”

    Many proposed that Turkey adopt the role of steward and leader for the Turkic world. But the idea didn’t receive unanimous support, with some delegates raising issues with the notion.

    “Our main problem is that we can’t put forward a country as the regional leader. We lack a regional state that will pile up the other countries under its roof,” said Fazil Mustafa, a member of the Azerbaijan National assembly.

    Turkey, in the past, had been unable to fulfill this role, Mustafa said, citing as evidence the country’s inability to prevent the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh from breaking free from Azeri rule.

    Meanwhile, Hakan Kirimli of Bilkent University said Turkey’s most important task was to first protect the Turkic diaspora within its own borders, including Tatars, Kazakhs, Turkmens, and people from the Caucasus, Crimea, and the Balkan area.

    He said many of these diaspora groups in Turkey actually outnumber the population of their groups in their own homelands. “Protecting those societies means protecting a whole culture.”

    Pinar Akcali from Middle East Technical University said Turkey’s improving relationship with Turkic countries was partly the result of its deteriorating relationship with the West and added that such a trend would give Turkey a chance to develop its relations with other parts of the world, including the Turkic one.

    Although some Turkic countries are performing well economically and others have the benefit of natural resources, many Turkic countries are not particularly rich economically, according to Mustafa. “The 21st century, in terms of the economy, will not be a Turkic century,” he said.

    There are also many political problems between Turkic countries, with Hasan Ali Karasar calling attention to the brutal violence that has sporadically occurred between the local Uzbek community and ethnic Kyrgyz in Kyrgyzstan.

    “For four years we have been discussing how to improve inter-Turkic relations,” said Karasar. “Still the government [of Kyrgyzstan] has not been effective. The Kyrgyz president made some important steps. Luckily we have stopped the violence – for now.”

  • Turkey Seeks to Boost Investment in Nakhichevan

    Turkey Seeks to Boost Investment in Nakhichevan

    BAKU (APA)–Nakhichevan has a ‘special place’ in Turkey’s foreign policy as a territory that isolates Armenia from the rest of the region, Turkey’s State Minister for Foreign Trade Zafer Caglavan said Wednesday speaking at a Turkish-Azeri business forum hosted in Kahkichevan , the Azeri Press Agency reported.

    “Armenia has been stuck between Nakhchivan and the rest of Azerbaijan with access only to Iran and Turkey,” Caglavan said. “Nakhchivan has a special place in the foreign policy of our government. That’s why we are here today.”

    The forum attracted influential businessmen from Turkey and Azerbaijan and presented them with information about Nakhichevan’s history, its course of economic development, and various business and investment opportunities in the area.

    According to APA, the meeting will end with the signing of a series of cooperation documents.

    Speaking to reporters during the event, Caglayan said Turkish businessmen have a “serious” interest in making investments into the Azeri controlled territory. He added that discussions were ongoing to establish the Nakhchivan-Turkey Business Council.

    “We want to establish a council that will help the businessmen. One should take advantage of bordering Nakhchivan. It would be better to create free trade zone on the border. It would increase mutual trade,” said Caglayan. “We can create a region without customs and trade with every part of the world. I gave necessary instructions. Turkey’s General Directorate of Free Trade Zones will study the issue. It will be possible to set up this system without losing time.”

    Caglayan said he had already appealed to Nakhichevan’s authorities to support the endeavor.