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  • BAKU: British Parliamentarian: Armenia Is Like A Headless Chicken Wh

    BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIAN: ARMENIA IS LIKE A HEADLESS CHICKEN WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHERE TO RUN

    Today
    March 19 2010
    Azerbaijan

    Day.Az interview with Mike Hancock, Member of the British Parliament,
    member of the PACE Monitoring Committee and Committee on Political
    Affairs.

    Azerbaijan and Turkey say there is a direct link between settlement
    of the Karabakh conflict and normalization of Armenian-Turkish
    relations. Do you agree with this approach, or you think that these
    two issues should be considered separately?

    The problem is that these two issues are difficult to separate from
    each other. This is very, very difficult situation. The U.S. Congress
    decision on so-called "Armenian genocide" caused a strong anger of
    Turkey. In my opinion, Americans have done very big mistake, and they
    will feel sorry about this. I hope that President Obama will be able
    to use his influence to prevent the ratification of this document.

    This caused understandable concern in Turkey, since the U.S. returned
    to possibility of approval of dubious historical facts.

    This is only part of the problem. In my opinion, Armenia is like
    a headless chicken that runs around in circles. They really do not
    know where to run. And the more they pull, the less viable is their
    country. They are more concerned about what happened a hundred years
    ago. They have evidently lost control over the situation they face
    today.

    Armenia's economy is limited and it is actually mixed with that of
    Russia. Unemployment reigns in the country amid growing external debt.

    I believe that the Russian will soon realize the futility of investing
    money in Armenia in terms of its interest.

    The sooner the Armenian side understands that the solution to the
    Karabakh conflict meets its economic interests (I am not talking about
    political and historical interest), the sooner it will realize that
    it is neighbour of a prosperous country that can make it as successful
    as it is itself.

    Those who say that people like the current Armenia President,
    who personally, by force of arms, participated in the occupation of
    Azerbaijani lands can't give them back, seem to be right. Does it mean
    that the progress in the settlement process can be achieved only by
    changing the Armenian leadership?

    In my opinion, it would be very nice if it was possible. But it is
    better to know the mood of your enemy. Britain is a classic example
    of this. We had to make friends with our enemies, particularly in
    Northern Ireland. Today one of the senior officials in Northern
    Ireland is the man who headed the campaign of terrorism against
    Britain, killing thousands of people. More people were killed in 30
    years than in Nagorno-Karabakh.

    The only way to achieve a political solution is to bring these people
    to your side. Sometimes you have to sit next to your enemies, the
    people who conducted aggression against you, though it is unpleasant.

    Britain had done so in many parts of the world: in Northern Ireland,
    Cyprus, India and other countries. We always had to learn that if
    you want to solve the problem peacefully, you should be ready to talk
    even with those who are your worst enemy.

    As you know, there is strong Armenian lobby led by notorious Baroness
    Cox in the British Parliament. Do the activities of such persons
    influence foreign policy of the UK in regard to the Karabakh problem?

    I am pleased to say that not at all. Baroness Cox is a voice in defense
    of Armenia. I also try to raise voice in defense of Azerbaijan in
    the British Parliament. And I will continue to do so. The British
    Parliament hosted an event devoted to the Karabakh events in late
    February, and I was pleased to see how many members of parliament
    signed a petition. In Britain, there is a lot of sympathy for the
    fact that a country is deprived of part of its territory.

    The British have special feelings for the people who lost something
    very precious, including the Azerbaijanis of Armenia, who are unable
    to return to their homes.

    By the way, today UK has more sympathy and respect for Azerbaijan
    than you think.

    So, we conducted a series of events in the Chamber of Commerce. I
    was pleased to see how many people visited them. We arranged a photo
    exhibition which was visited by many people, including Baroness Cox.

    In total, there were nearly 70 people, which is good for the Chamber
    of Commerce. There were also wide-ranging debates.

    Baroness Cox sees the problem from only one angle. This is wrong. I
    hope that this approach will change soon. The sooner she arrives in
    Baku, tries to speak and understand the people here, the better she
    will understand the depth of wounds in their hearts. I think currently
    she does not realize it in full.

    Do not you think that the EU and the United Kingdom could play a more
    active role in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict?

    Yes. I think that your current president is the best that Azerbaijan
    could have at present. He knows Europe, he is personally acquainted
    with many European politicians due to his previous activities in PACE.

    He makes a lot of visits and has an excellent command of English. I
    myself recently listened to his speech in English in London that
    lasted about an hour. I felt that he was the right man with whom
    everyone in Europe would like to work.

    This is a person who needs support. Azerbaijan is rich not only in
    natural resources, but also the culture and mentality of the local
    population to create a sort of bridge to Europe. I think it would
    be very foolish on the part of Europe do not pay much attention to
    South Caucasus and Azerbaijan in particular.

    I believe that Europeans need to understand that it is better to work
    with Azerbaijan than to show a negative attitude towards it. So, I do
    not like criticism of Azerbaijan, in particular, from the opposition
    inside the country, which itself avoids the election. I do not know
    whether they have their political agenda, because it seems that it
    all consists of one word "No". It does not help the country.

    You have a government and it is legal whether someone likes it or not.

    You have a president with a broad mandate, the president is popular,
    and is popular because he has no alternative. In my opinion, he tries
    to do what is best for Azerbaijan.

    http://www.today.az/news/politics/644 70.html

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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