Turkish Forum

Category: Southern Caucasus

  • “California is not Armenia…”

    “California is not Armenia…”

    Our work in line with the tasks set by the leadership is primarily aimed to assist to strengthening of partner relations between Azerbaijan and the United States, said Azerbaijani consul general in Los Angeles Elin Suleymanov, speaking about the work of the consulate.

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    He said the negative reaction of some Armenian mass medias on the activity of Azerbaijani diplomats in the United States is surprising.

    Certainly, there are many Armenians residing in California, the influence of the Armenian lobby is felt here but California is not Armenia and the US interest in our region are not limited with narrow ethic views of some representatives of Armenian diaspora. Therefore, our activity in the framework of bilateral US-Azerbaijani relations should not be perceived so painfully”, noted Suleymanov.

    “The US-Azerbaijani partnership includes a wide range of issues including cooperation in spheres of transport of energy sources of the Caspian Sea and international security, creating conditions for intensification of the dialogue of civilizations and fight with different demonstrations of extremism. The United States support Azerbaijan’s efforts in the sphere of regional integration and pragmatic policy of the country leadership for strengthening stability and peace in our region.

    In this background, the ethnocentric and sometimes even racist statements of some radical representatives of Armenian side unfortunately stress the tendencies that continue damaging the future of Armenia”, noted the consul.
    As for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict and the real changes in the attitude to the conflict in the United States, the consul said:

    “I think Washington always understood the importance of the resolution of the conflict for the future of our region, including for the strategic interests of the United States. Practice shows that unsettled conflicts pose a serious threat to regional stability. Therefore, I think the intention to help the resolution is quite sincere, though its too early to judge about the way it will influence the real actions of the co-chairing states”.

    Speaking about the work with Azerbaijani diaspora organizations, in particular from Los Angeles, he said the work with compatriots is the integral part of the activity of the general consulate in Los Angeles.

    “We are glad to observe the recent intensification of the organizations, representing Azerbaijani diaspora in the United States. Moreover, the activeness of Azerbaijani diaspora becomes more effective and large scale.

    I do not consider that we should regard the activity of our diaspora only as confrontation or competitive to Armenian. Interests of US Azerbaijanis are comprehensive in science, culture, regional policy and other issues. For example, the US-Azerbaijani council is actively cooperating with Jewish organizations on interreligious dialogue, while the history of Turkic people was in the center of attention of the scientific conference held by this organization in December of 2008”, noted Suleymanov.

    He said in conclusion that Azerbaijani diaspora also reached significant success in the sphere of organization of academic arrangements.

    “As for the Armenian diaspora, it continues to be one of the organized and numerous ethnic-political groups in the United States, that have influence on politicians on the spots and on the federal level”, said Suleymanov.

    http://www.today.az/news/politics/51246.html

  • Nevada Governor proclaims March 31 as Remembrance Day

    Nevada Governor proclaims March 31 as Remembrance Day

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    The Governor of Nevada, Mr. Jim Gibbons, has issued an official proclamation which commemorates the “deaths of tens of thousands of Azerbaijani civilians”, victims of the genocidal policy pursued by Armenian forces during the “March Massacres” of 1918 in Baku and other cities of Azerbaijan, APA US bureau reports.

    This state proclamation marks the first-ever time that any high-ranking U.S. elected official has formally and officially acknowledged the Azerbaijani suffering in the past century and designated March 31 as the Azerbaijani Remembrance Day. To commemorate March 31, the “Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis”, activists from USAN (US Azeris Network) have sought and received the first-ever formal recognition of this special date and the tragedy by any U.S. government authority. The crucial outreach and coordination efforts were spearheaded and led by a USAN activist based in the great State of Nevada, Dr. Bob Guney, USAN Executive Director Adil Bagirov told APA. The proclamation by the Nevada Governor also emphasizes the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan by stipulating that the Karabakh region is a U.S.-recognized part of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

    Previously, over the years, the U.S. Azeris Network (USAN) and its grassroots activists have sought and received dozens of proclamations from Governors and Mayors across the United States (Washington D.C., State of Virginia, City of Alexandria, Country of Arlington, City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, State of Wisconsin, State of North Carolina, as well as Texas, California, Missouri and others) on the National Day of Azerbaijan (May 28) and Independence Day of Azerbaijan (October 18), which have always stressed the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan by specifically mentioning the Armenia-occupied Karabakh region. To promote greater knowledge and understanding of the March 1918 events, the USAN and its activists have sponsored the re-publication, and its subsequent distribution to the leading public libraries.

    http://www.today.az/news/politics/51256.html

  • Day of Azerbaijanis’ Genocide marked in Central Asia

    Day of Azerbaijanis’ Genocide marked in Central Asia

    Astana. Tashkent. Dushanbe. Laman Agayeva – APA. March 31 – Day of Azerbaijanis’ Genocide was also marked in Central Asia countries, APA reports. Kazakh intellectuals, members of Azerbaijani, Turkish, Ingush, Kyrgyz, Ukrainian and Georgian Diaspora attended the event in Azerbaijani embassy in Kazakhstan. Advisor of the embassy Nizami Rustamov, first secretary Namig Bakhshaliyev said hundreds of Azerbaijanis towns and villages, over 150 Azerbaijani-populated villages in the mountainous part of Karabakh were destroyed during March happenings, 50,000 Azerbaijanis were killed in Shusha, about 30,000 civilians were killed in Baku. Georgian charge d’affaires in Kazakhstan Zurab Kozmava said he perceived the terrible acts committed against Azerbaijanis and added that Georgian people had also undergone terror and aggression. President of Kazakhstan Azerbaijanis Union Vidadi Salahov said terrible happenings in the Caucasus always came from Russian imperialist circles. Chairman of Kazakhstan Azerbaijan Friendship Association Askhad Shakirov said he believed that unbiased political legal assessment will be given to the violence committed against Azerbaijanis, perpetrators will be punished. Similar events were held in Azerbaijani embassies in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

  • Azerbaijanis killed by Armenians

    Azerbaijanis killed by Armenians

    Baku. Ilhama Isabalayeva–APA. The Institute of History after Abbasgulu Aga Bakikhanov will publish the history of Iravan khanate in near future, director of the institute Yagub Mahmudov said, APA reports. The book will contain all materials about the history of Armenian movement to Iravan khanate. “The history of this khanate is very important. The Armenians established their state in the territory of this khanate in 1918”.

    Mahmudov noted that six-volume “History of Karabakh”, “Historic monuments of Nakhchivan” and toponyms changed in Armenia by the local soviet power were published in six languages and spread throughout the world. He said all efforts of the Azerbaijani researchers were directed toward the history of our lost lands. “Fatahali Khan Khoyski and other leaders of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established the emergency commission in 1918 to draw up list of victims of the genocide. There are protocols about their names, surnames, age and property. We have to publish those documents and to deliver it to the world. We are expected to publicize the list this year”.

  • TURKEY AND ARMENIA CLOSE TO A DEAL

    TURKEY AND ARMENIA CLOSE TO A DEAL

    On March 17, Congressmen Adam Schiff, George Radanovich and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone and Mark Kirk introduced a resolution to the U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsored by over 70 House colleagues to recognize the Armenian “genocide” of 1915. The resolution is identical to the one introduced in both the House and Senate in the 110th Congress, which was adopted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee (www.anca.org, March 17). The timing of the legislation is especially critical, since President Obama will visit Turkey on April 6-7. Obama promised his American-Armenian supporters during his presidential election campaign that he would recognize the 1915 “genocide,” yet his trip to Ankara will seek to improve U.S. relations with Turkey after the difficulties experienced in recent years.

    Moreover, this comes at a time when Turkey and Armenia have finally found a way to talk directly, which could yield positive results after the “soccer match diplomacy” that began when Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul visited Armenia to watch the Turkish and Armenian national soccer teams play (Cihan Haber Ajansi, September 5, 2008). Since then, Turkish and Armenian diplomats have agreed on a successful strategy to improve their bilateral relations. In fact, political observers expect that the rapprochement might precipitate the reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border, as early as April (EDM, February 10).

    The debate surrounding Turkey’s border policy was sparked after Republican People’s Party (CHP) parliamentarian Sukru Electag claimed that “some Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentarians during their visit to Washington in February 2009 stated that the AKP will open the border after the local election in March 29” (Sabah, March 15). Despite the denials by AKP deputies regarding these claims, following a recent visit to Washington one AKP deputy said, “Turkey and Armenia are very close to a deal to open embassies in Ankara and Yerevan and it is very likely that the Turkey-Armenia border will be opened soon if the third parties do not harm the process” (EDM, February 10). In addition, the Chairman of the CHP, Deniz Baykal complained about the AKP’s methods in seeking to solve the Armenian problem. Baykal has accused the AKP of failing to consult the CHP “we learn the latest developments from the U.S. officials” (Radikal, March 17).

    Diplomatic traffic between Washington, Ankara, and Yerevan has reportedly prepared the way for positive developments ahead of Obama’s visit to Turkey. Ankara has intensified its diplomacy with Yerevan in order to improve relations with Armenia before Obama’s arrival (Cumhuriyet, March 11). It seems that Washington has also been involved in this process and that it has produced positive results. Armenia’s President Serj Sarkisyan and the U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton recently held a telephone conversation in which they discussed developments between Turkey and Armenia (Milliyet, March 18). Yet, it appears that the supporters of the “genocide” resolution do not share the concerns of the U.S. State Department. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that Obama’s visit does not change the fact that “there was an Armenian genocide, and there are those of us in Congress who will continue to make that point” (Reuters, March 17).

    The trend towards greater economic cooperation has complemented these political developments. For instance, indirect trade between Turkey and Armenia has increased from $30 million in 1997 to approximately $130 million in 2005 (www.tabdc.org, March 13, 2005). Turkish and Armenian businessmen have been actively searching for alternative ways to develop better relations and in 2008 Turkish and Armenian cheese makers jointly produced a new brand (Milliyet, May 24, 2008). Furthermore, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan revealed that 40,000 Armenian citizens live and work in Turkey illegally and he has authorized their continued residence (CNNTurkey, January 28). The Armenian Energy Ministry also revealed that it has updated its infrastructure facilitating electricity sales to Turkey based on an agreement that was signed during Gul’s visit to Yerevan last September. Armenia will initially sell 1.5 billion kwh of its electricity and this will be increased in the future to 3.5 billion kwh (Cumhuriyet, March 17).

    Arguably, Turkey and Armenia have never had such close relations. Thus, Turkey does not want this process jeopardized by the U.S. Congress. Ambassador Ahmet Davutoglu, chief adviser to Prime Minister Erdogan, said he was confident that the U.S. administration would not allow the Armenian genocide issue to derail the positive climate in Turkish-U.S. and Turkish-Armenian relations. “All of these things could be debated from a historical perspective, but it should not hijack the strategic vision of Turkish-American relations or Turkish-Armenian relations” (Today’s Zaman, March 21).

    Turkey has one clear objective, despite these constructive developments: convincing Azerbaijan about its steps towards Armenia. It appears that in every move made by Ankara it informs Baku about its initiatives. For instance, five days after Gul’s visit to Yerevan, he went to Baku to discuss his visit to Armenia (Hurriyet, September 10, 2008). Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov, liaise closely on the subject (EDM, February 10). However, it remains to be seen whether the Azeris will actually accept Turkey’s policy shift towards Armenia.

    Turkey’s rapprochement with Armenia will not end the issue of the Armenian genocide claims. Turkish lobbyists have initiated new programs in various universities, aimed at producing academic work to turn the “lost” debate in their favor. Such an approach could engender a lively debate about the issue. However, because of the questionable scholarly attitudes, strategies, and shadowy relations with the Turkish establishment, academics involved in this effort to produce a “scholarly” presentation of the Turkish viewpoint might undermine their cause.

    Emrullah Uslu/Eurasia Daily Monitor

  • Azerbaijan Gains Little from Hiring Expensive U.S. Lobbying Firms

    Azerbaijan Gains Little from Hiring Expensive U.S. Lobbying Firms

    The Government of Azerbaijan, using its considerable oil income, has been waging a propaganda campaign to win over U.S. politicians and denigrate Armenia and Artsakh (Karabagh).

    To accomplish these twin objectives, Azerbaijan has spent millions of dollars over the past 3 years to hire several major lobbying firms, such as: The Livingston Group; JWI; Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates; and Melwood Communications. In addition, the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles hired Sitrick & Company over a year ago and later replaced it with The Tool Shed Group, founded by Jason Katz, former Director of Public Affairs for the American Jewish Committee.

    While Azerbaijan’s Embassy, with the support of its lobbying groups, has been targeting top U.S. officials in Washington, D.C., its Consulate in Los Angeles has been more interested in countering the political influence of California’s large Armenian community. Fortunately, neither the Embassy nor the Consulate has had much success.

    Recently, the Embassy of Azerbaijan tried to get members of Congress to go on record condemning Armenia for the alleged killings of hundreds of Azeris in 1992 during the Artsakh war. Despite concerted efforts by its high-powered lobbying firms, Azerbaijan succeeded in convincing just 1 out of 535 members of the House and Senate to do so. Cong. Ed Whitfield (Republican-Kentucky), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Turkey, was the only member of Congress who made remarks about this highly controversial incident.

    Azerbaijan was even less successful in California, despite its heavy investment of time, money, and manpower. Back in 2005, Pres. Ilham Aliyev appointed Elin Suleymanov, a graduate of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, as Azerbaijan’s first Consul General to Los Angeles. Suleymanov told the Azeri Press Agency that one of his key assignments is to counteract the political clout of California’s Armenian community. He promptly wrote a letter to the owners of a theater in Los Angeles, requesting the cancellation of an Artsakh-related event organized by a local Armenian group. The diplomat’s complaint was summarily dismissed and the event took place as scheduled.

    Consul General Sueleymanov’s failure cannot be attributed to his lack of enthusiasm and energy. He has actively tried to promote Azerbaijan’s interests, while missing no opportunity to belittle Armenia and Artsakh. The lobbying firms hired by his government have arranged for him to tour Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Oregon, and Wyoming and parts of California to deliver speeches to university students, greet local politicians, and have guest editorials published under his name in obscure newspapers.

    Suleymanov even visited the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana and claimed that there are racial similarities between Azerbaijanis and Native Americans. A student at the University of Montana quoted Suleymanov as stating that Native Americans actually originated from the region of Azerbaijan and that is why the Consul General “felt a certain kinship for tribal people of the U.S., like brothers or cousins.”

    A major accomplishment of Azerbaijan’s lobbying firms was arranging the visit of four California legislators to Baku in September 2007. Reciprocally, several members of Azerbaijan’s Parliament and a Minister have visited California more than once in the past three years.

    Nevertheless, despite Azerbaijan’s intensive lobbying of California legislators, only 1 out of 120 members of the State Assembly and Senate agreed to send a letter to President Aliyev in February 2009, expressing sympathy for “the victims of Khojali.” This letter, signed by Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes, was copied from a draft provided by lobbyist Jason Katz. It was noteworthy that Katz had raised the possibility of sending friendly legislators on junkets to Azerbaijan.

    California State Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (Democrat-Glendale) worked to prevent other legislators from signing the Azerbaijani letter by alerting his colleagues about the falsehoods contained in it. The lone letter signed by Assemblyman Fuentes was hailed by Consul General Suleymanov as a major victory for Azerbaijan. The Azeri media disseminated that letter worldwide, misrepresenting it as a condemnation of an alleged “genocide” committed by Armenians!

    The government of Azerbaijan and its representatives in the United States do not seem to realize that it is not in their best interest to denigrate and provoke the influential Armenian community in California. It was no mere accident that Suleymanov’s recent appearance at California State University at Northridge was greeted with a student protest.

    Should Azerbaijan’s Consul General and his hired guns continue to disseminate falsehoods about Armenia and Artsakh in the Western United States, Armenian-Americans could neutralize their propaganda by establishing a public affairs office for Artsakh in Los Angeles, as a branch of the one now operating in Washington, D.C.