Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
June 14 2004

ARMENIAN DIASPORA CAN NOT DAMAGE US STRATEGIC INTERESTS
[June 14, 2004, 12:54:17]

While the Americans prepare to forthcoming November presidential
elections, ethnic groups existing in the country propagandize their
role, as electorate. And it speaks that in the year of elections,
opportunity of influence of Diasporas grows twice. Ethnic groups
for strengthening the positions take part in pre-election campaign of
candidates financially and morally; try to receive from them guarantees
for the further realization of their interests. What will be the
role of Turkish and Azerbaijan Diaspora in this year elections? The
conversation of correspondent of AzerTAj with the first graduate –
Azerbaijani of the authoritative American Fletcher School of Law and
Diplomacy Elin Suleymanov is on this topic.

– What you can tell, basing on your experience in the USA, about
influence of ethnic minority on the policy in this country?

– As a whole, the democratic system in America is arranged so,
that in lobbyism not only the ethnic groups, but even the groups
incorporated around of certain interests here can be engaged. For
example, there are separate lobbyists of businessmen, workers of
education, public health services. For us, interesting and in some
cases dangerous is the influence of ethnic groups on foreign policy.
The general influence of ethnic minority on the policy on the USA
is positive. But, unfortunately, the Armenian Diaspora, opposing
Azerbaijan, is one of the most radical groups in America. The Armenian
Diaspora in itself is not monolithic group. Among them there are both
radicals, and conservatives. When the question concerns Azerbaijan and
Turkey, between them there is a common understanding – all of them
act from destructive position. Despite of it, their efforts cannot
render essential influence on strategic policy of the USA. Despite
their attempts, they cannot damage Turkish-American relations, or
the Azerbaijan-America partnership intensively developing in the last
ten years.

And in the year of elections the Diaspora becomes stronger. To take
presidential elections of this year: interrogations testify that both
democrats, and republicans have equal opportunity for victory. It means
that both sides need a lot of voices of voters. Thus, the candidate
of both sides can get under influence of this or that electorate. In
such situation, influence of not only traditional Jewish, Greek,
Ukrainian or Armenian Diaspora grows, the important role can play
also the Turkish and Azerbaijan Diaspora. For this purpose, it is
necessary to mobilize forces inside the Diaspora and effectively to
use available opportunities.

– On what depends the efficiency of Diaspora? From the finance,
number of members or organization?

– All elements listed by you are important. But the most important is
organization. And plus the national spirit prevailing inside. Members
of community should understand, whom they are and be adhered to the
Motherland. The Diaspora comprises people. If people do not wish to
help the native land or will overlook about the national morals, any
finance or organization cannot create effective Diaspora. The Armenian
or Jewish Diaspora is not large in number. Turks and Azerbaijanis
have advantage on them. However, because of lack of organization
and financial sources, their influence is poorly felt. But I should
admit that it is a long process. The strongest Diasporas in the USA
were formed during 2-3 generations. We are beginners on this way.

– You spoke about the national spirit. Whether it is possible to
count satisfactory national spirit among the Turks and Azerbaijanis?

– Turks and Azerbaijanis should work together. All should understand,
that there are not closer people in the world than we are. It is felt
among the Turks and Azerbaijanis living abroad. I hope, that we and
henceforth shall continue our joint business. But sometimes there are
such Turks or Azerbaijanis who, having left the Motherland, lose all
links with it. Others speak supposedly that “I am offended by the
country”. But I cannot understand, how it is possible to turn away
from the Native land? And there are such that at all do not wish to
join Diaspora. As they said, they wish only to receive the American
citizenship. Naturally, each person has personal interests. But I
think, that in a circle of personal interests of our compatriots
living abroad, it should enter and interests of the Motherland. To
achieve it, we should pass still a long way.

-Recently, due to joint efforts of Turkish and Azerbaijan Diasporas,
in the Congress, there happened extremely important event for
Azerbaijan. In the Congress, the working group on work with
Azerbaijanis has been created. What can you say on prospects of
this group?

-The event really represents for Azerbaijan great value. This
fine result is caused by efforts of the Azerbaijan state applied
in last years on mobilization of our compatriots living abroad,
growing cooperation between the Turkish and Azerbaijan Diasporas, and
also activity of our students training here. Creation of group is a
parameter of growing strategic value of our state in Washington. It is
no secret, that creation of special working group on such small state,
as Azerbaijan is rare case for the USA. Co-chairmen of working group –
the representative of Pennsylvania State, congressman Kurt Weldon and
the representative of Texas – Congressman Solomon Ortiz are influential
members of US Congress. Attacks to them recently have increased on the
part of the Armenian community. In Washington, even in constituencies
of the congressmen the forged are distributed on them. It is necessary
for members of the Turkish and Azerbaijan Diasporas to render
congressmen maximal support. Without our support, the working group
does not have future. This group can have great prospects. I assign
on working group large hopes both in strengthening links between the
Congress and Milli Majlis, and in wide representation of interests
of Azerbaijan in Washington. But, as I have already noted, without
support of members of Diaspora, the congressmen can meet difficulties.

– I want to return again to the presidential elections. One of
present candidates – the democrat John Kerry is the representative of
state Massachusetts, where it is a lot of Armenians, in the Senate.
Protection of interests of the Armenian voters, statement in the
Congress from the anti-Azerbaijan position and bills became a component
of activity of the senator Kerry. In what degree can the position of
Azerbaijan suffer, if he will win elections?

– I lived last 2 years in the state of Massachusetts. I would
not estimate John Kerry as the politician with completely the
anti-Azerbaijan position. He is pro-Armenian. But between these
two concepts there is a difference. To tell the truth, John Kerry
supports close relations with the Armenian circles and protects their
interests. It should cause our concern. But it is not necessary to
forget also, that foreign policy of the USA is a stable concept. This
country pursues its strategic interests. Even if the new owner of
the White House will try to introduce in foreign policy the USA new
tendencies, as a whole, the direction of policy remains as usual.

Part of the city of Boston refers to Watertown, almost all inhabitants
here are the Armenians. Having got here, you feel as in Armenia. They
even have named one of streets Artsakh. Local Armenians think as
Armenians, instead of Americans. John Kerry should understand, that
these people would never support national interests of America. They
protect only narrow lobbyist interests. Such policy is unpromising.

-Have you been subject to pressure of the Armenian community during
study in Boston?

-Certainly. At the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts
University, which I have graduated, annually receive education 30
Armenian students. The Armenian Diaspora finances this program.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan also is the
graduate of this school. For 2 years of study there, I became the
witness of good organization of the Armenians. All of them use the same
expressions, act from common position. We tried to popularize here the
position of Azerbaijan. So, the last year the ambassador of Azerbaijan
in Washington Hafiz Pashayev made a speech in School before wide
audience. And this year the deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov visited
the School. Now the administration of School searches for ways of the
organization of the Azerbaijan program. Using financial opportunities
of the State Department, the government of Azerbaijan or the School,
we are going to direct annually here students from Azerbaijan. As a
whole, it would be good, if the Azerbaijan delegations, even one or
two once a year read lectures in the known educational institutions
of America, partook at conferences. Thus, the future politicians of
the USA will study Azerbaijan still in their student years.