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MEMBER OF SWEDISH PARLIAMENT: I BELIEVE THAT EUROPE ACTS UNFAIRLY WITH REGARD TO KARABAKH PROBLEM - INTERVIEW
APA
July 19 2011
Azerbaijan
Mehmet Kaplan: Karabakh problem must be solved fairly, I am afraid
more dangerous incidents may happen there
Stockholm. M. Guliyeva - APA. APA's interview with Turkish member of
the parliament of Sweden, chairman of the parliament's Green Group
Mehmet Kaplan
- As you know, parliaments of Azerbaijan and Sweden established
friendship group. But despite this, Azerbaijan is not known in Sweden
sufficiently. How do you think the parliament group must act so that
Azerbaijan is known better and has positive image in Sweden?
-Azerbaijan is seen as a country, which is far from Sweden and has
no serious economic relations with Sweden. Azerbaijan is viewed as
a country related to Turkey, there is very little information about
the country. Campaign was held concerning Karabakh problem and the
crimes committed there, but it was not sufficient. The people listen
to those who speak about such problems first. Armenians and Armenia
have advantage, as they are strong in America, Europe and especially
in France, and first of all they make others listen to their views. I
think the mutual visit of the Swedish and Azerbaijani parliamentary
delegations will be useful.
A group of Swedish parliamentarians has recently visited Baku at
the invitation of the Azerbaijani side. But the tactics was a little
bit wrong. The parliamentarians were offered to pay the visit at the
expenses of the Azerbaijani side. This is wrongly assessed in Sweden.
Such visits are not so effective, as the persons visiting in this
manner are ashamed or do not want to speak about some things.
-I think you know that the recent meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani
presidents was not successful. How do you think what role Europe can
play in the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh problem? Which steps must
be taken to prevent a new war in the Caucasus?
-I believe Europe was late and acts unfairly with regard to Karabakh
problem. Europe does not care what happened in Karabakh, who is right,
who is wrong. They are engaged in more favorable and easier issues.
Moreover, they do not see any interest when it comes to the foreign
policy. Their approach to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict over Karabakh
is similar to their approach to Cyprus. In Europe they said "We did
not know that the Greek said 'no' in the referendum held in Cyprus,
we were mistaken." Maybe ten years later speaking about Karabakh
they will say "We did not know, we were mistaken". Karabakh conflict
must be solved fairly, but I am afraid more dangerous incidents may
happen there. One must not approach Azerbaijan and Armenia similarly,
because Azerbaijan is the side that lost its territory. Maybe years
later Europe will support Azerbaijan, but it may be very late. The
most logical step to be taken by Azerbaijan is to solve the problems
in the area of human rights. Several years ago Turkey kept the human
rights problem in the focus of attention, most of those problems have
been solved and now Europe does not say anything else to Turkey. They
simply demand the solution of the Kurdish problem, but the problem
of human rights has almost been solved. Such problem still remains
in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani government must solve its internal
problems. 50 percent of the people supported the government in the
elections in Turkey. Of course, in this case, that government is
very strong in the foreign policy. Azerbaijan must be strong inside,
so that it is heard abroad. For now this is not so. Azerbaijan is
viewed as a country having internal problems.
- As you know, there are serious problems in the area of human rights
in Armenia. But Europe closes eyes to it. Does lobby has power in this?
-Lobbies are strong in the European countries, though not in Sweden.
Syrian lobby is strong in Sweden, but Armenian lobby is strong in
France and UK, the most important countries of the European Union.
They see Armenia as a country in hard conditions surrounded by
enemies. There is injustice. I do not want to say that religion
plays role here, but Azerbaijan is a Muslim country and it has some
influence...
-Last year the Swedish parliament adopted a decision on recognition
of "Armenian genocide". As you know, the genocide was committed
against peaceful Azerbaijanis in Khojaly in 1992. In your opinion,
can the European parliaments recognize the genocides committed against
Muslims? Is there an assumption that the Khojaly genocide will be
adopted in the European parliaments?
-It is the case like Pandorra box: If the parliaments assess the
historical events once, you will not be able to ask to close this
topic. I have said it in my speech in the parliament. It is true,
I couldn't persuade my party, our party thinks so. But in my speech,
I have concretely said that the parliaments must not appraise the
history. If the box is opened, the other incidents must also pass from
there. For example, if there is a proposal on Khojaly, we must discuss
and adopt a decision, otherwise in my opinion it would be wrong.
You also were in "Freedom flotilla" which carried aid to Gaza. We
remember the end of this incident very well. Despite the world
community's protest to Israel, no sanctions were used against this
country. In your opinion, why did Israel's acts remain unpunished?
Last year I joined the "Freedom flotilla". Our 9 people were killed
there. This is a deliberate incident realized by the order of Israeli
Defense Ministry. We see it as a crime. This is the act which needs
both apology and payment of compensation. Israel must admit its
mistake. The rallies held by us in Sweden and the other places last
year had effects. Israel was reprobated in the UN Security Council
and America didn't use the right to veto for Israel. Israel had to
weaken the embargo against Gaza. The EU countries also criticized
Israel the Israeli products were boycotted among the people. Three
our MPs joined the rally, everybody returned safe and sound.
In his issue Israel conducts policy "either you are from us, or our
enemies". America seriously protects Israel in this issue and will
never give up. But Israel will be in difficult situation because
there are revolutions in Arabic countries and the governments are
changing in the region. Now it will not be easy to use the cold war
and terror methods.
APA
July 19 2011
Azerbaijan
Mehmet Kaplan: Karabakh problem must be solved fairly, I am afraid
more dangerous incidents may happen there
Stockholm. M. Guliyeva - APA. APA's interview with Turkish member of
the parliament of Sweden, chairman of the parliament's Green Group
Mehmet Kaplan
- As you know, parliaments of Azerbaijan and Sweden established
friendship group. But despite this, Azerbaijan is not known in Sweden
sufficiently. How do you think the parliament group must act so that
Azerbaijan is known better and has positive image in Sweden?
-Azerbaijan is seen as a country, which is far from Sweden and has
no serious economic relations with Sweden. Azerbaijan is viewed as
a country related to Turkey, there is very little information about
the country. Campaign was held concerning Karabakh problem and the
crimes committed there, but it was not sufficient. The people listen
to those who speak about such problems first. Armenians and Armenia
have advantage, as they are strong in America, Europe and especially
in France, and first of all they make others listen to their views. I
think the mutual visit of the Swedish and Azerbaijani parliamentary
delegations will be useful.
A group of Swedish parliamentarians has recently visited Baku at
the invitation of the Azerbaijani side. But the tactics was a little
bit wrong. The parliamentarians were offered to pay the visit at the
expenses of the Azerbaijani side. This is wrongly assessed in Sweden.
Such visits are not so effective, as the persons visiting in this
manner are ashamed or do not want to speak about some things.
-I think you know that the recent meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani
presidents was not successful. How do you think what role Europe can
play in the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh problem? Which steps must
be taken to prevent a new war in the Caucasus?
-I believe Europe was late and acts unfairly with regard to Karabakh
problem. Europe does not care what happened in Karabakh, who is right,
who is wrong. They are engaged in more favorable and easier issues.
Moreover, they do not see any interest when it comes to the foreign
policy. Their approach to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict over Karabakh
is similar to their approach to Cyprus. In Europe they said "We did
not know that the Greek said 'no' in the referendum held in Cyprus,
we were mistaken." Maybe ten years later speaking about Karabakh
they will say "We did not know, we were mistaken". Karabakh conflict
must be solved fairly, but I am afraid more dangerous incidents may
happen there. One must not approach Azerbaijan and Armenia similarly,
because Azerbaijan is the side that lost its territory. Maybe years
later Europe will support Azerbaijan, but it may be very late. The
most logical step to be taken by Azerbaijan is to solve the problems
in the area of human rights. Several years ago Turkey kept the human
rights problem in the focus of attention, most of those problems have
been solved and now Europe does not say anything else to Turkey. They
simply demand the solution of the Kurdish problem, but the problem
of human rights has almost been solved. Such problem still remains
in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani government must solve its internal
problems. 50 percent of the people supported the government in the
elections in Turkey. Of course, in this case, that government is
very strong in the foreign policy. Azerbaijan must be strong inside,
so that it is heard abroad. For now this is not so. Azerbaijan is
viewed as a country having internal problems.
- As you know, there are serious problems in the area of human rights
in Armenia. But Europe closes eyes to it. Does lobby has power in this?
-Lobbies are strong in the European countries, though not in Sweden.
Syrian lobby is strong in Sweden, but Armenian lobby is strong in
France and UK, the most important countries of the European Union.
They see Armenia as a country in hard conditions surrounded by
enemies. There is injustice. I do not want to say that religion
plays role here, but Azerbaijan is a Muslim country and it has some
influence...
-Last year the Swedish parliament adopted a decision on recognition
of "Armenian genocide". As you know, the genocide was committed
against peaceful Azerbaijanis in Khojaly in 1992. In your opinion,
can the European parliaments recognize the genocides committed against
Muslims? Is there an assumption that the Khojaly genocide will be
adopted in the European parliaments?
-It is the case like Pandorra box: If the parliaments assess the
historical events once, you will not be able to ask to close this
topic. I have said it in my speech in the parliament. It is true,
I couldn't persuade my party, our party thinks so. But in my speech,
I have concretely said that the parliaments must not appraise the
history. If the box is opened, the other incidents must also pass from
there. For example, if there is a proposal on Khojaly, we must discuss
and adopt a decision, otherwise in my opinion it would be wrong.
You also were in "Freedom flotilla" which carried aid to Gaza. We
remember the end of this incident very well. Despite the world
community's protest to Israel, no sanctions were used against this
country. In your opinion, why did Israel's acts remain unpunished?
Last year I joined the "Freedom flotilla". Our 9 people were killed
there. This is a deliberate incident realized by the order of Israeli
Defense Ministry. We see it as a crime. This is the act which needs
both apology and payment of compensation. Israel must admit its
mistake. The rallies held by us in Sweden and the other places last
year had effects. Israel was reprobated in the UN Security Council
and America didn't use the right to veto for Israel. Israel had to
weaken the embargo against Gaza. The EU countries also criticized
Israel the Israeli products were boycotted among the people. Three
our MPs joined the rally, everybody returned safe and sound.
In his issue Israel conducts policy "either you are from us, or our
enemies". America seriously protects Israel in this issue and will
never give up. But Israel will be in difficult situation because
there are revolutions in Arabic countries and the governments are
changing in the region. Now it will not be easy to use the cold war
and terror methods.