Interview with Azerbaijani historian Musa Gasimli, a non-partisan member of the Azerbaijani parliament, the Milli Majlis.
Q: What threats does Armenia pose to Azerbaijan and Georgia at the moment?
A: Armenia's policy is a major obstacle to development and cooperation in the South Caucasus. Armenia, which has occupied Azerbaijani territory and fosters terrorism at the state level, makes constant territorial claims against Georgia and is a threat to security in the South Caucasus. In an attempt to annex part of Georgian territory, Armenia is trying to substantiate its claims through invented historical research and is preparing the ideological, psychological and moral grounds for this. Formal territorial claims by Armenia against Georgia are just a matter of time. Some Armenian organizations and groups in Georgia are working on this.
Q: What joint steps can Azerbaijan and Georgia take to counteract these threats?
A: There can be different areas of cooperation. I believe that Azerbaijani and Georgian historians can undertake joint research, in particular, an exchange of archive documents. There are numerous archive documents relating to the territorial claims of Armenians on Georgia, dating back to 1918-1920 and subsequent years. In those periods, Azerbaijan and Georgia jointly fought against separatism. In other words, these two countries must now work together on this. In addition, the media of the two countries can closely cooperate on this. Therefore, I believe that Azerbaijani-Georgian relations have prospects.
Q: How realistic is it for Azerbaijani and Georgian scholars to prepare joint history textbooks?
A: In the late 1990s historians from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and the North Caucasus compiled a textbook of the Caucasus peoples supported by the Council of Europe. Three people from each country participated. I was one of the Azerbaijani team. This book was written, but the Armenian side has prevented its publication.
They wanted to include the fictional “Armenian genocide” in the book. But we presented documents proving the lack of evidence for an "Armenian genocide” in history. Incidentally, nothing about the "Armenian genocide" was included in the preliminary version of the book. Later, the Armenian Foreign Ministry sent a protest note to the Council of Europe.
This issue has been under discussion for a long time, but this book has not been published. The Azerbaijani team presented archive materials about the transfer of the Azerbaijani city of Irevan (present-day Yerevan) to Armenia.
With regard to the publication of joint textbooks by Azerbaijan and Georgia, the ministries of education of the two states began to implement a project to compile textbooks for Azerbaijanis living in Georgia and Georgians living in Azerbaijan several years ago. However, this work was later suspended. But, I believe that Azerbaijan and Georgia can jointly write history books, particularly on issues that unite us.
Q: May the idea of a Caucasian home put forward a few years ago help solve conflicts in the region?
A: The idea of a Caucasian home is nothing new. This idea first originated close to the end of World War I and was discussed in 1918-1920. After the Caucasus was occupied by Bolshevik Russia, the issue was discussed by those who immigrated from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and the North Caucasus. But, then, just as now, Armenia was an obstacle to the implementation of the Caucasian home idea. This idea was also reviewed during World War II to a certain extent. The idea was put forward again by national leader Heydar Aliyev after the Caucasian countries gained independence in the 1990s. However, Armenia's policy of occupation again did not allow the idea to be realized.
Certain conditions are required for this idea to be implemented. In other words, there can be no fighting inside a home. Therefore, to implement the idea of a Caucasian home, Armenia is required to denounce its aggressive policy, to withdraw from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan, to ensure the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and sign a border treaty with Azerbaijan. After all this has been done, a common Caucasian home is possible. How can we live under one roof with Armenia which has occupied Azerbaijani territories? I think Armenia’s policy is the only obstacle to creating a Caucasian home.
Q: How fruitful are Russia’s current mediation efforts in the negotiating process?
A: If we look at the conditions that prompt conflicts in the region, you will see the causes. I believe that Armenia is far behind Azerbaijan in the economic and military spheres. Therefore, Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories not on its own, but with the help of a number of states. In this context, it becomes clear which country will be able to play a role in resolving the conflict. I think that the main issue is not the solution by one country or another, but the de-occupation of Azerbaijani lands. Therefore, Azerbaijan should work closely with the country that will solve this problem. I believe that the continuation of the Karabakh conflict does not meet Russia’s interests.
Azerbaijan is a major, a key country in the South Caucasus. Russia’s support for Armenia harms Russia’s image in the world.
In the Soviet era, Armenia survived through grants from the central budget of the Soviet Union. And now, the country continues to deceive Russia. I think that if Russia wants to gain credibility in the South Caucasus, it should take a fair position on the Karabakh conflict. A fair position is the de-occupation of occupied Azerbaijani land. Russia will never become strong in the South Caucasus if it fails to defend the just position of Azerbaijan.
Lala B.
News.Az
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
