NAZIM IBRAHIMOV: I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE IDEA OF INACTIVITY OF AZERBAIJANI DIASPORA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 29 2006

There is no controversy among Azerbaijani Diasporas

The chief of State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad
Nazim Ibrahimov’s interview to APA

– Are you satisfied with the present situation of Azerbaijani
Diasporas?

– Azerbaijani Diasporas are developing rapidly. We have not thought
about so dynamic development of the Diasporas. President Ilham
Aliyev’s special care created turning point in the development of our
Diasporas. Now we should prefer to strengthen lobbyism and to choose
the tactics of attacking using our solidarity. We have begun to work
on it. Azerbaijan has always had Diaspora. If Azerbaijani citizen
lives abroad, it means our Diaspora exists.

– How would you estimate the power of the Diaspora?

– Every Diaspora has its history and it has subjective and objective
factors. We have begun to work with our Diasporas recently. At the same
time I do not agree with the idea of the inactivity of Diasporas. Our
national self-esteem does not lag behind, but goes forward. Some forces
tried to make Azerbaijanis forget national back-ground. Azerbaijanis
living abroad establish their organizations and strengthen. And it
means that Azerbaijani Diaspora is strong. In future we will be able to
say that Azerbaijani Diaspora is the strongest Diaspora of the world.

– You are speaking about the power of Azerbaijani Diaspora, but we
do not observe real solidarity.

– When Heydar Aliyev returned from Moscow, I asked him whether the
growth of industrial potential of some USSR countries depend on
leadership or there is another reason. He retold me an interesting
event. He noted that, USSR Political Bureau raised some issues to
take Air-conditioner Plant to Baku. But this plant was built in
Ukraine. Actually not leadership of Ukraine, but the leadership of
the union realized it. If we compare the activity of the Diaspora
with this event, we can say that Armenian Diasporas do not have their
own power. On the other hand there is another factor. Some forces are
for Armenians in information war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We
should struggle to make world believe that we are just. Though there
are no Armenian Diasporas in some countries of the world, they are
supported. It means when we say that Armenian Diaspora is stronger,
every-one should understand that it is not their power. Azerbaijan
remained under occupation of other empires and states for centuries
and our compatriots lived in different social structures. Therefore
there is difference in mentality. Sometimes it impedes our solidarity.

– The information was spread that an Armenian living abroad transferred
$120m to Armenian state budget. Why don’t we observe these facts in
our country?

– We have not reached this stage yet. Our aim is to help strengthen
the Diaspora in the countries where Azerbaijanis live. You know that
there are strong Armenian businessmen in the world…

– But there are strong Azerbaijani businessmen in the world too.

– We are different from Armenia… I think that Azerbaijan’s economy
is developing rapidly and our financial sources are enough to provide
the country. We intend to help most Azerbaijani organizations in
the world to strengthen. A day will come when rich Azerbaijanis will
define what spheres need help. But now we have no intention to ask
somebody for help.

– Several Diaspora organizations have separated recently, and in most
cases the committee you lead was said to be the cause of it.

– Azerbaijani government’s care and attention on Diasporas’
activity caused fight for the leadership in a number of Diaspora
organizations. There is no controversy in Diaspora organizations.

Even separated organizations unite around Azerbaijan. They can not
agree on the problem leadership.

– What about people leaving Azerbaijan and coming to the country?

– Most of the people left Azerbaijan repent. Most of the emigrants
have returned. We get a lot of letters from Azerbaijanis living
abroad. The majority of them want to return to the country.

– How many Azerbaijani organizations are there in the world?

– Over 300.

– Where is our strongest Diaspora?

– I do not want to answer. Most of our Diaspora Organizations are
working hard.

– When Ramil Safarov murdered Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan, your
approach to the case was not welcomed. You said that his actions were
not heroic and it was against Azerbaijan. Later you realized several
programs in the direction of recognition of Azerbaijan in Hungary.

What were the results of it?

– We did much. We have never made idle statements. Those who want
to form their policy on Ramil Safarov’s actions are wrong. Ramil
Safarov’s actions had a negative influence on the international image
of Azerbaijan.

– But some think that this incident had positive features…

– Armenians claim in the international organizations that Azerbaijanis
are cut-throat and display facts. I repeat that this incident had a
negative influence on Azerbaijan.

– What is the State Committee established on the struggle against
illegal migrants in Russia doing?

– There is nothing to worry. Corresponding bodies of both countries
are working on it. We try to solve the problem quietly. Azerbaijan
state supports every Azerbaijani.