ISRAEL PLEDGES NOT TO ADOPT RESOLUTION ON "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE" IN KNESSET

news.az
May 14 2010
Azerbaijan

Yevda Abramov News.Az interviews Yevda Abramov, head of the
Azerbaijan-Israel interparliamentary working group.

Can the Knesset pass a resolution on the so-called "Armenian genocide"?

Last week a group of Azerbaijani deputies including me visited Israel
whose parliament considered the issue of the so-called fictional
"Armenian genocide". In this connection, our delegation exchanged
views on this issue with the Israeli counterparts. We felt a special
sympathy toward Azerbaijan both in the Israeli parliament and the
overall Israeli society. They voiced hope to expand friendly relations
and deepen interstate cooperation.

As for the discussion of a bill envisioning recognition of the
"Armenian genocide", our Israeli colleagues said that they are a
democratic state and persons elected in their parliament are free
in their actions. They also said the deputies of the Knesset are
implementing wishes of the voters of the constituencies from which
they were elected, in this connection, a number of small left-wing
parties have insisted on discussing this issue. Earlier these parties
discussed this issue in their faction. Under the procedure, the issue
of "genocide" has been submitted in the Knesset Committee. Meanwhile,
the leader and members of this committee famous for their proximity
to Azerbaijan promised us that this issue will remain within the
Committee. He said the deputies of the same left-wing parties in
the Knesset are raising the issue of "genocide" every six months,
however, this project is still stuck in the Committee. The same will be
observed this time too. The committee has told this faction that our
parliament cannot play a role of the Hague tribunal as Knesset is not
a court. If there are really facts of Armenian victims, the Armenian
side should apply to the Hague tribunal and attain the recognition
of "genocide". The committee also told these left-wing parties that
we have no powers to discuss the domestic political events of any
country. I hope that this issue will not be considered at all because
members of the Committee do not attend sessions when the discussed
is an issue unacceptable for them.

All members of the Azerbaijani delegation, including chairman of
the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Nazim Ibrahimov, Deputy
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov were said in separate that the issue of
"genocide" will not be considered in the Knesset. Therefore, it can
be said that the consideration of the issue of "Armenian genocide"
in the Knesset will be absurd.

Does the raising of the issue of "Armenian genocide" by some parties
in the Knesset come from the internal political struggle within Israel
or is it connected with the foreign policy factors?

One of the reasons of inclusion of the issue of "Armenian genocide"
into the Knesset’s agenda is the tension in the Turkish-Israeli
relations. Some political parties made speculative speeches and
statements. Meanwhile, a number of political parties and forces also
made similar speculative statements. Israel has a number of parties
serving for interests of Armenians and Arabs, who make use of the
tensions in the Turkish-Israeli relations again include the issue of
"genocide" on the agenda. Naturally, the role of Armenians, as well
as nongovernmental organizations who thus fulfill political orders
also played a definite role in this issue.

In addition, I would like to note that the raising of the issue on
"Armenian genocide" in the Israeli parliament met the interested of
separate persons represented in the higher echelons of the Israeli
parties, as well as some in the government for "bargaining" with Turkey
for the latter to regret about some of its actions. To some extent,
this goal has been reached.

I would like to note that the Azerbaijani side has done much in order
to prevent the discussion of the issue of "genocide" in the Knesset.

In this connection, our Turkish friends have already expressed their
thanks to me that the Azerbaijani deputy of Jewish ethnic tries
to prevent the inclusion of the issue of "genocide" into Knesset’s
agenda. On my part, when saying that I will always be next to Turkey,
I have expressed my dissatisfaction with the fact that some Turkish
journalists say Azerbaijan does not support Turkey in the prevention
of recognition of "Armenian genocide" by the parliaments of a number
of countries.

Undoubtedly, the main stimulus to the repeated discussion of the
issue of "genocide" in the Knesset was given by the Davos events
and noncompliance of the rules of diplomatic ethics by the Israeli
Foreign Ministry when receiving the Turkish ambassador. At the same
time, it should be noted that raising the issue of "genocide" in the
Knesset is connected with some corrections in foreign policy.

Can the developing Azerbaijani-Israeli relations have a positive
influence on the improving relations between Turkey and Israel?

The matter is that Azerbaijan supported friendly ties with Israel even
before the cooling in the Turkish-Israeli relations. But there is a
definite truth in this issue and it is envisioned in the definite
tendencies in Israeli diplomacy observed recently. This tendency
is fixed in the following issue: if Turkey is distancing from us,
then who can help us approach the Muslim world? In this case, Israel
indicates friendly Azerbaijan as such a country in foreign policy.

Israel has two friendly countries in the Muslim world-Turkey and
Azerbaijan. But as Turkey goes out of their number, only Azerbaijan
can be a gate to the Muslim world. Therefore, Israel has become closer
to Azerbaijan, which is proven by the visit of Israeli president and
foreign minister to Baku. In addition, several Israeli ministers are
expected to arrive in Baku. Naturally, Israel considers Azerbaijan
to be a closer and a friendly country and a reliable partner. People
in Israel also knows that Azerbaijan is a true friend. At the same
time, the factor that the fifth part of carbohydrogens consumed
in Israel comes to Azerbaijan also plays an important role in the
Azerbaijani-Israeli relations.

Which spheres do the expectations of the Israeli side cover in
developing ties with Azerbaijan?

Israel has repeatedly stated that it is open for Azerbaijan in all
spheres. Israel wants Azerbaijan to remain a stable country and settle
the Karabakh conflict.

Israeli companies have long been working in the health sphere
of Azerbaijan. At the same time, they are planning to establish
cooperation in education, in particular, exchange of students. The
Israeli side is planning to build a large complex of hothouses
in Khachmaz to plant agricultural products all year round. These
productions will ensure both inner demands of Azerbaijan and create
conditions for their export to other countries, especially to Russia.

The Israeli companies are interested in conditions of tourism
development in Azerbaijan. In this connection, the Israeli tourism
minister is expected to visit Azerbaijan soon.