ARMENIA SAFE FOR AZERIS BUT AZERBAIJAN THREATENS EVERY ARMENIAN

Panorama.am
12:42 07/06/06

“We are neighbors and that is determined by history. Neighbors are not
chosen. In case Karabakh conflict is regulated, our two countries can
also cooperate,” Asaf Hajiev, deputy of Azeri parliament, mejlis,
stated at the National Assembly of Armenia today. Together with
the representative of New Azerbaijan Party Musa Guliev, Hajiev is
in Armenia to participate in Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)
27th parliamentary assembly. “Neighbors cannot fail to cooperate if
they are not in war. Azerbaijan and Armenia are in a state of war,
therefore, it is impossible to speak about cooperation,” the head of
Azeri delegation said. He does not think it possible that Armenia and
Azerbaijan cooperate also within BSEC, saying it is a collective entity
and it is hard to speak about individual countries. “Imagine if Germany
suggested to cooperate with the Soviet Union during WW2 when it was
at the doors of Moscow, would SU go for that? Of coarse, not,” he said
referring once again to the principal of inviolability of borders and
ignoring the principle of self-determination. Replying to the reporters
on the case of Chernogoria which found its independence from Serbia
via referendum, he said, “We respect all countries. If Chernogoria and
Serbia found it possible to have independent statehoods, we respect
that decision. But if Armenia thinks that Karabakh is part of it,
we cannot accept that.”

Hajiev confessed that respects all nations, including Armenians,
since he thinks that “Karabakh conflict is created not by Armenians
but by Armenian politicians.”

He also said he feels safe in Armenia despite of the fact that
Azerbaijan has stated at the doors of various events that it cannot
ensure the safety of the Armenian delegations.

Why would the Azeri deputy not feel safe in Armenia?

Of coarse, no one is going to stab him to death, especially when he is
sleeping. Similar “axe” attitude is characteristic to our neighbor. It
is also true, that Armenians have proved that those who rise against
us with arms, get a respective response. Karabakh freedom fight is a
proof for that. Besides, we can say that Karabakh conflict is created
and deepened by Azeri politicians and public figures. Heidar Aliev’s
confession that Azerbaijan was taking steps to change the demographic
picture in Karabakh is enough to prove that.