SOUTH AZERBAIJAN DOES NOT EXIST

Lragir.am
13 June 06

The expression “South Azerbaijan” is false, it does not exist,
stated Ali Akbar Jokhar, Deputy Ambassador of Iran to Armenia June
13 at the Hayeli Club. He rejected that the Azerbaijanis living in
the north of Iran claim independence. The deputy ambassador told the
Armenian news reporters that the disorder among the Azerbaijanis of
North Iran several weeks ago was not given a correct interpretation
or was not presented fully. “Do you know how it happened? It happened
so that there was an insult one day. Not only the Azeri-speaking
people protested but also the people of other provinces of Iran
protested. Because if we are members of a family, if they offend
one of us, they offend everyone. And different Iranian ethnicities
consider it a national problem, not just a problem of Azeris,” said
the Deputy Ambassador of Iran. According to him, the events that
took place in the north of Iran were interpreted as it was favorable
for the West. “It is natural, and we knew that this problem would be
manipulated. Be sure, however, that the Iranian identity is based on
beliefs, history and traditions,” said Ali Akbar Jokhar. According to
him, “it is not difficult to find a hundred people in every nation,
who can shout different slogans, but the Iranian identity dominates in
Iran.” Deputy Ambassador Jokhar reminded about the history of Iran,
where the Azeris had a significant role. Ali Akbar Jokhar says the
members of the royal family of Sefids, who had a great role in the
Iranian state and culture, were Azeris. Ali Akbar Jokhar also says
that the regions inhabited by Azeris greatly favored the Islamic
revolution, and the Azeris have always had an important role in the
country’s government. Deputy Ambassador Jokhar says it is worthwhile
to visit and see the situation at places to confirm his words.