TURKISH BUSINESSES UNDER PRESSURE IN AZERBAIJAN

Tert
Oct 21 2009
Armenia

Complaints by Turkish businesses working in Azerbaijan still continue
to be discussed in Azerbaijani websites and forums. Turkish companies’
representatives state that when Turkish flags were removed in
Azerbaijan, they started to exert pressure on Turkish businesses.

Azerbaijani paper Azadliq quotes a Turkish businessman who appealed to
the paper’s editorial office: "Checks are carried out in the majority
of companies, starting from tax inspectors to doctors. The Azerbaijani
leadership has let it be known through different officials that
‘either you must be against Erdogan’s leadership or you must leave
Azerbaijan.’ We find ourselves in a deadlock. We are forced to sell
our buildings at very low prices, to abandon the property we acquired
over years and to return to Turkey. We aren’t politicians. We mustn’t
become victim to the disputes between Aliyev and Erdogan. And we can
neither come out against our homeland."

According to this Turkish businessman, Azerbaijani leaders also
involve Turkish citizens of Kurdish ancestry in these affairs.

"Turkish students also experience pressure in universities. In the near
future, Turkish students are going to organize a protest demonstration
against Turkey’s leadership. Azerbaijani leadership also makes use of
certain newspapers in order to dispose Turkish businessmen against
Turkey. Statements in our name appear in the press, that allegedly
Turkish businessmen are ready to act against Turkey, if they get
guarantees from Azerbaijani leadership. But we are businessmen. We
don’t want to participate in political games," the businessman stated.