HIKMET HAJI-ZADE: "TO BE OUR TRUE FRIEND RUSSIA SHOULD REJECT SUPPORT OF ARMENIAN AGGRESSION IN KARABAKH"

Today.Az
politics/45136.html
May 21 2008
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with famous political scientist Hikmet Haji-zade.

-How do you assess current state of Azerbaijani-Russian relations?

Though a definite "calm and business-like tone" is observed in our
relations from exterior, unfortunately, this is a deceptive impression.

Russia continues to support Armenian aggressors and put pressure
on Azerbaijan in different issue. For example, Russia demands from
Azerbaijan to stop economic and political support to Georgia and
weaken ties with the West and Turkey. On the whole, the situation
is far from being ideal. Merely, unlike Georgie, Azerbaijan does not
present offenses and claims towards Russia on the international arena
and I think this policy is correct.

-Can we count on the cardinal closing of ties between Azerbaijan and
Russia under the new President Dmitri Medvedev?

-The cardinal closing of ties between our countries can occur only when
Russia rejects the support of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan,
which will also promote the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. Yet,
it is not likely to occur soon. The Russian elite and society are
at present in euphoria about the Putin policy in such issues and
oil funds, the smallest part of which go to Russian budget officers
and pensioners.

-But will Russia benefit more from relations with Azerbaijan or
Armenia?

-Everything depends on what Russia considers to be profitable for
it. If following the USSR collapse Russia would have intended to become
a democratic national state (as Turkey did following the collapse of
the Osman empire) Azerbaijan would be a more favorable partner than
Armenia. Unfortunately, the nostalgia about the empire have dominated
other feelings and intentions and now, instead of learning to produce
ars, Russia again prepares its old rockets. Russia does not want to
maintain friendship, cooperate or trade, but it wants to rule! But
it will not attain it, as world has changed and it is not so strong
as previously.

-What do you think about the arguments, used by CSTO secretary general
Nikolay Bordyuzha, who spoke of prospects, our country would have
following its return to this organization?

-Nikolay Bordyuzha, speaking about the advantages of the CSTO, has not
made a single comment about the Karabakh conflict. And it is not clear
how we will cooperate in the sphere of security with such a member of
the organization as Armenia, and Russia, by the way, which supports
its aggression. Bordyuzha mentioned such spheres of interaction within
the organization as a combat with drugs, illegal migration, cooperation
in combat with calamities, but he said nothing of the main point!

In his interview he had mentioned the word "NATO" several times, it
seems that Russia is anxious about both Georgian membership in this
organization and expanding cooperation of Azerbaijan with NATO. But
who is to be blamed for the attempt of our countries and Ukraine to
escape from Russia’s pressing influence? I want to hope that the new
president of Russia will think over this issue.

-By the way, let’s talk again about the new president of Russia. A
number of analysts and political scientists noted following Medvedev’s
being elected the President, that the Korean will start rejecting
its empire ambition, stop hopping for restoration of its influence
on the whole territory of the former USSR and support separatists,
concentrating on the resolution of social internal problems. But
now we observe intensification of the Crimea tatars in Ukraine,
conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, raising of the Lezgiun
issue in Azerbaijan. Does it mean that Medvedev, in fact, fulfills
functions of a representative, leaving the power to the Prime Minister
of Russia Putin?

-I also hope that Medvedev will change Russia’s aggressive empire
policy and I want to hope that if he decides to do it, he will not
be alone, he will be supported by the world society; the currently
silent liberals within the Russian government; and, by the way,
a part of the militaristic elite of Russia can not disagree that
Putin has caused Russia to quarrel with the remaining world and
that it is time to moderate the intentions and deal with the urgent
internal problems. Thus, it will be much easier for Medvedev that it
may initially seem.

-Do you agree that the resolution of the UN General Assembly on support
of right of refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes in
Abkhazia adds to the optimism of the Azerbaijani and Georgian sides,
striving for the peaceful resolution of existing conflicts both in
South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as well as Nagorno Karabakh?

-Yes, I agree with it. Both Azerbaijan and Georgia should increase
efforts in this direction. We should inform the world society about
injustice to our peoples and the UN is an important tribune for
execution of this task. I consider that most, reading this statement,
will say that the UN is only a talking ship and everything depending
on super states, which care only about their pockets.

But today it is not like this. Not completely like this. Beginning
from late 20th century, the community of the countries-voters for the
government are becoming stronger and control their elite and public
opinion usually contains more morals than the pragmatic policy of the
governments. Each year the demand of voters for conduction of fair
and moral internal and external policy become more effective. And we
should appeal not only to super states and elite but also to world
democratic society.

-Then why don’t the GUAM countries develop a plan on private support
of separatism in Russia in a response to Russia’s actions towards
the GUAM member-states?

-This is a difficult question. Initially GUAM countries seem not so
strong to revenge Russia this way. But on the other side, if we recall
the recent history, for example, the Chechen war, we have witnessed
that in the mid 1990s both Azerbaijan and Georgia under Schevarnadze
supported the Chechen fights for independence. Thousands of Chechens
and Dudayev’s representatives came in Baku. Schevarnadze helped
them even more. But in the result, Russia suppressed the Chechen
rebellion and putting a pressure on Azerbaijan, made it reject the
active support of Chechens. It is unpleasant to recall it, considering
the Azerbaijani-Russian relations.

But who is to be blamed for it? Today Russian politicians, before
speaking about our eternal friendship, should see the root of the
problem. To become out true friend, Russia should reject its support
to the Armenian aggression in Karabakh.