AZERI POLITICIAN WARNS OF “SECRET US PLAN” ON IRAN, KARABAKH

Yeni Musavat, Baku
18 Apr 06

Excerpt from E. Mammadli report by Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat
on 18 April headlined “Azerbaijan is face-to-face with terrorism”
and subheaded “PCC says new situation is threatening Karabakh”.

A round-table conference “On the influence of the regional situation
on Azerbaijan and changes expected in the Karabakh issue” was held
yesterday [17 April]. The Political Coordination Centre (PCC) organized
the conference.

Farac Ulusoy, leader of the National Revival Movement which is a member
of the PCC, said that the political situation in the region might
require changes in Azerbaijan’s approach to the Karabakh conflict. “A
new idea has emerged – let the war start regardless of who will
eventually possess Karabakh. We would like to know the current stage
of the Karabakh talks and the government policy on how to settle the
conflict. On the other hand, we demand that the government account for
prophylactic measures taken to resolve a possible humanitarian disaster
in the event that plans against Iran are implemented,” he said.

[Passage omitted: MP Nasib Nasibli urged the Azerbaijani authorities
to revise their foreign policy]

Isgandar Hamidov, chairman of the NDPA [National Democratic Party of
Azerbaijan], said that Azerbaijan’s foreign policy was at the level of
“blind optimism” of the 1970s. “If Azerbaijan had a foreign policy,
it would not be in this situation. The invitation of the Azerbaijani
leadership to the USA is the biggest threat to Karabakh,” he said.

The USA has drawn up a plan to return Zangilan, Qubadli and Cabrayil
districts [along the border with Iran, currently controlled by Armenia]
to Azerbaijan. “Because America needs this area as a foothold to
hit Iran. They want to deploy peacekeeping forces in Karabakh if the
Azerbaijani authorities do not agree to this option.

The danger is that the peacekeepers will be stationed not on the border
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, but between Agdam and Askaran [town in
breakaway Nagornyy Karabakh]. Therefore, we demand that the Azerbaijani
authorities disclose their position to the public,” Hamidov said.

Azerbaijan’s economy will be dealt a big blow if there is an attack on
Iran, he said. Measures must be taken now to prevent a humanitarian
disaster. “America wants to topple the mullah regime in Iran and
create a confederation with the leaders of the Persian and Kurdish
communities,” Hamidov said.

It is also beyond doubt that many terrorists from organizations
controlled by Iran will come to Baku, Hamidov said. “We must be ready
for that. Azerbaijan is face-to-face with terrorism,” he said.

“All of this is bound to affect Karabakh,” Hamidov said and announced
that the PCC plans to stage a rally devoted to the threat to Karabakh
on 6 May.