BIG-NOSED VARDAN AND ANDRE IN AZERBAIJAN
Lragir.am
10 July 06
Alekper Aliyev, reporter of the Bakinski Rabochi, participating
in the international seminar entitled "European Integration As a
Factor Favoring Karabakh Settlement" in Yerevan, presented the moods
in Azerbaijan regarding Armenians and the past and present of the
conflict over Karabakh to the news reporter of the Lragir.am.
According to Alekper Aliyev, in the early 90s there were myths about
the Armenian lobby, Azerbaijanis invented excuses for their defeat
rather than fought. "The Armenian lobby was pictured as a rich and
big-nosed Vardan, who could meet with Bush or Gorbachov at any time,
or invite them to Yerevan, station the U.S. army in Karabakh, organize
an earthquake in Azerbaijan and even turn back the time," told the
Azerbaijani reporter. Now there are other myths. "They are gradually
forgetting Vardan, however Andre is our new nightmare." Alekper
Aliyev wonders why an episode of the biography of Andre participating
in Eurovision became a national issue. And the change in Andre’s
biography on the website of the contest expected by the Azerbaijanis
was "accepted as a historical victory". "We admitted the loss of 1/6
of our territory, but we are ready to kill for the copyright of tolma
[a kind of dish]. Our victory in the football match with Armenians
was presented as a victory equal to the capture of Berlin in 1945."
Alekper Aliyev does not fear troubles like the reporter of the
Baku-based Obozrevatel, who was fired for having visited Karabakh.
Karabakh is a more sensitive issue, Armenia is not that sensitive,
announced Alekper Aliyev and added that the reporter of the Obozrevatel
was admitted back after the strictures of the Union of Journalists of
Azerbaijan. Besides, the Azerbaijani minister of foreign affairs Elmar
Mammedyarov announced, "Everyone can go to Karabakh, it is our land,
and every Karabakhi can go to Baku, it is their country."
Unlike Yerevan Baku does not hold seminars with representatives of
Armenian NGOs. Alekperov says such seminars were organized formerly.
However, now the Azerbaijani government cannot guarantee security,
"extremists are few in number but unpredictable." This is for the past
two years. Formerly, Armenians from both Armenia and Karabakh took
part in seminars. Azerbaijan is a country of contrasts. If you are an
Armenian, they may both hug you and kill you in the street, says the
Azerbaijani reporter. 95 percent of Armenians living in Azerbaijan
are women. There are minibus drivers, teachers. "Nobody hurts them,
but they cannot announce in the street that they are Armenians."
Alekper Aliyev states that the society in Azerbaijan does not want war,
if it did, it would demand. "But there is a party with 5.5 members,
which wants war. The Azerbaijani opposition has expired. People do
not trust the opposition any longer."
And the journalist reports: the reality is that the confidence of the
Armenians of Karabakh for their independent future is in contrast with
dissatisfaction and fury of the Azerbaijanis. "Nobody is willing to
accept the suggestions on the resolution of the conflict discussed
in the negotiations." Alekper Aliyev announced that he arrived in
Yerevan to talk to people, which the authorities fail to do.