GIDEON SA’AR: AZERBAIJAN IS STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT COUNTRY FOR ISRAEL

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 17 2007

Likud Knesset faction chairman Gideon Sa’ar’s exclusive interview to
APA’s Israel bureau

– What was the aim of your visit to Azerbaijan?

– This was my first visit to Azerbaijan. I and my colleagues Amnon
Koen, Robert Ilatov and Ran Koen were invited to Azerbaijan by
Sokhnut World Jewish Agency. There were two goals of the visit-
strengthening of bilateral interparliamentrary relations and ties
with the community of mountain Jews of Azerbaijan. We met several
Azerbaijani officials- Nazim Ibrahimov, minister in charge of Diaspora
affairs, Social Protection Minister Fuzuli Alakabarov, Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov and deputy parliament chairman Ziyafat Asgarov. I
myself was very pleased to see that Muslim country Azerbaijan is
liberal European country and keeps friendship relations with Israel
and Jewish nation. We have common interests with Azerbaijan. Today
Azerbaijan is the leader in Caucasus and initiator of all big
geopolitical projects. I think Azerbaijan is a true friendship bridge
between Europe and Asia. Most Israelis have no idea about Azerbaijan ,
but I want to tell them that prosperous Azerbaijan is a country where
Jewish people are loved.

– Within your visit to Guba you also visited the mass graves which
are the result of Armenians’ genocide committed against Azerbaijanis
and against Jewish people of Guba. What are your impressions?

– We got thorough information about this tragedy and were given a
lot of materials concerning this issue. But it is difficult for me to
express an objective position on the issue. I think that historians
should clarify it. I want to mention that Knesset has recently rejected
the proposal of Merets Party member Khaim Oron on debating the problem
of ‘Armenian genocide’. This fact demonstrates the official position
of the Israeli government on the problem called Armenian genocide. I
consider Knesset’s decision right. It could ruin strategic relations
between Turkey and Israel.

– What is Israel’s position on the conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan and occupation of Azerbaijani lands?

– I want to say that Israel does not ignore interests of friendly
Azerbaijan and hopes that official Baku will also take into account
Israel’s interests. Azerbaijan is a strategically important country
for Israel. We understand the country’s problems and interests.

– What is Israel’s position on the nuclear program of Iran which is
neighboring with Azerbaijan?

– We understand that Azerbaijan is situated in a very complicated
geopolitical area. And we also know that Baku is anxious about the
life of Azerbaijanis who comprise 40 percent of Iranian population.

Israel considers that Iran’s nuclear program poses a threat to
not only to Israel but also to the entire world. Iranian atom will
influence not only the Middle East but also the whole region and Asia
as well. Iranian mullahs can sell the nuclear weapons to a number
of terrorist organizations and they can use these weapons against
different countries. Israel and Azerbaijan have to do their best to
prevent this.

– Israel-Azerbaijan International Association has recently been founded
and this organization united the people moved from Azerbaijan. How
do appreciate this fact?

– I welcome this organization. This is a great event for 100,000
people of Azerbaijani origin. This great force will contribute to
the strengthening and development of the relations between Israel
and Azerbaijan. I am ready to support this organization as a member
of Azerbaijan-Israel Interparliamentary Friendship Group.