AZERBAIJAN SPOILS RELATIONS WITH IRAN DUE TO ISRAEL – ARMENIAN PAPER
by Sarkis Gevorkyan’s
Hayots Ashkhar, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
"Azerbaijan is changing its tactics"
The panic, started in Azerbaijan after the impressive victory of the
Democrats in the US Congress, has been recently replaced by searches
for ways to cooperate with the US Jewish lobby with the help of Israel.
Azerbaijan has been working with US Republicans which ruled in the
White House and the Congress through the powerful American oil lobby.
But once Republicans have been replaced by Democrats in the US
Congress, and in 2008 the same may happen in the White House, they
speak in Azerbaijan about the necessity of a rapprochement with Israel.
These suggestions are undoubtedly based on an intention to cooperate
with the US Jewish lobby and via the latter with the Democratic Party.
The weakening of positions of the Republicans means that Azerbaijan
can no longer rely on the US oil lobby.
Moreover, [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev worries about the
fact that Harry Reid has become the leader of the new Democratic
majority in the Senate, and Nancy Pelosi is to be elected the speaker
of the House of Representatives as both have serious links with the
Armenian lobby of the USA. In addition, traditionally the Democrats
have a negative attitude towards dictatorial states which trample on
democracy, in this case, towards Azerbaijan as well.
Thus, who can close mouth of those influential officials connected
with the Armenian lobby, if not the Jewish lobby of the USA?
For this reason, on 20 November [film] show started in Baku which
demonstrate "centuries-long friendship" with Israel, which have
already caused confusion in Azerbaijan and in the Azerbaijani-Iranian
relations. The official part of the show started on 20 November
but the unofficial one started when a provoking article insulting
the Prophet was published in Baku-based Sanat newspaper. The article
angered the spiritual people both in Azerbaijan and Iran. Iran’s Sahar
TV channel called on the Muslims of Azerbaijan to organize a rally to
protect Islamic values. At the same time, young Iranians held rallies
outside the Azerbaijani embassy in Teheran. Actually, it is clear
to both parties that the reason for all these is "the Israeli show"
[festival of Israeli films] that started in Azerbaijan.
[Passage omitted: festival of Israeli films was opened in Baku on
20 November]
It is no secret that Israel has serious economic reasons to expand
its relations with Azerbaijan since in the future Israel wants to get
Azerbaijani oil via the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline in order to lessen its
dependence on the Arab world. Thus, the parties have mutual interest
and certain scope of expectations which may be extended in future.
But all these actions of Baku cause serious doubt because of three
following reasons:
1. One should not forget that the US Jewish lobby, which undoubtedly
has a serious role in financing the Democratic Party and affects its
policy, does not have strict positions in the matter of supporting
the American-Turkish relations. Whereas the problem of recognition
of the Armenian genocide but not Azerbaijan and its president will
be the main target of the Armenian lobby activity.
2. Iran treats negatively Baku’s demonstrative love game towards
Israel, and the Azerbaijani president is creating a new problem for
himself by trying to interfere in the political power of the USA with
the help of the Jewish lobby.
3. No powerful lobby even the Jewish can unreservedly affect the US
foreign policy, especially the growing political role of the Democrats,
and the prospect of them to come to power assumes formation of a new
foreign policy conception of the USA, the principles and priorities
of which will not be changed with the help of lobbying.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
