AZERBAIJANIS THINK TURKEY HELPS THEM THE MOST IN KARABAKH ISSUE

Azg/arm
19 March 05

Public Polls of Region Center In Armenia and Azerbaijan

They think in Azerbaijan (1000 people) that Turkey helps them more
than other states in Karabakh issue (78%), then comes Georgia and
CE. Here, in Armenia, they think that fist of all Russia (33,8%), then
France and the OSCE Minsk group help them in Nagorno Karabakh issue.

These data are accumulated according to the public polls held in
Armenia and Azerbaijan in November and December of 2004. The poll was
carried out by Region Research Center of Investigating Journalists
with the assistance of European Committee’s offices in Armenia. And
Georgia. The Peace and Democracy Institute assisted to carry out the
poll in Azerbaijan.

Laura Baghdasarian, head of Region center represented other
interesting details of the poll to the journalists. In response to the
question what hinders the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh issue, they
said in Azerbaijan that the main reason is the behavior of the
Armenians, the fact of historical enmity, the strictness of the
Armenians’ positions, the unwillingness to make concessions. The
Armenian people also think that the main obstacle is the historical
hostility, as well as the regional contradictions that are indirectly
connected with the Azeris.

The Azeris think that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict can threat their
country most of all (76,1%). They also pointed out the corruption and
some economic issues. In Armenia the Nagorno Karabakh issue is on the
fourth place, according to the scale of the danger it bears. The
Armenian first of all pointed out corruption (75,9%), the home
political instability and economic issues.

The poll found out that both the Armenians and the Azeris think that
their countries have definitely higher chances to win the war if the
military actions in Karabakh are resumed.

The Azeris said that their first friend is Turkey and then Georgia,
Russia, Germany and the US. Armenia occupied the first place in the
list of Azerbaijan’ s enemy countries. Then come Iran, Russia and
France. In fact, the Azeris display double standards to Russia.

The Armenians think that their friends are Russia, France, Iran, the
CIS countries and the US. According to the poll, the enemies of our
state are Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, the US and the Great Britain.

The Azeris treat the Armenians with scorn, anger and hatred. They
called the Armenians guileful, nationalists and aggressive.

The Armenians also feel hatred, anger and scorn towards the
Azeris. They called the Azeris guileful, malicious, insincere and
aggressive.

The news about Nagorno Karabakh settlement and Armenia cause the
indignation of the Azeris, then concern and interest. While the
Armenians treat the information on NKR settlement and Azerbaijan with
interest, first of all, then with anger and concern.

When speaking of themselves the Azeris say that they are hospitable,
kind and patient. While, the Armenians think that they are hard
working, hospitable, talented and patriotic.

By Tatoul Hakobian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress