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news.az, Azerbaijan
Jan 7 2012
Recognition of `Armenian' genocide may affect ties with Baku-Israeli expert
Sat 07 January 2012 09:16 GMT | 11:16 Local Time
News.Az interviews Israeli war expert Andrei Kojinov.
Earlier the Knesset commission for education, culture and sport
discussed the bill on recognition of the so-called `Armenian genocide'
in the Ottoman Empire. Do you think the Knesset will pass this law in
the end?
There are many Knesset members, who are for adoption of this bill. At
the same time there is a large number of MPs who do not want to pass
this law for various reasons. So far, the issue has never been raised
publicly. Previously, it was always discussed within the framework of
the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence commission where discussion is
never open. This time the law was discussed in the Commission for
Education, Culture and Sports. It is difficult to say whether the law
will be passed In this case, Israel has never rejected but anyway
never recognized the Armenian "genocide" (hence the quotes below are
ours - Ed.).
If the bill passes, it could cause damage to the state interests in
the international arena. Non-recognition also brings some damage. At
the same time the Foreign Ministry's official position is that the
recognition or non-recognition of "Armenian genocide" is the
interference in the internal affairs of Turkey, Armenia and even
Azerbaijan. That is, the Israeli Foreign Ministry says that Israel
will thus intervene in the negotiation process that takes place
between Turkey and Armenia. Moreover, there is very good relationship
with Azerbaijan, and the recognition of "Armenian genocide" can spoil
relations with Baku, which Israel would not like to happen.
Does it mean that if today the relations of Turkey and Israel go on
rise again, the possibility of the bill adoption will reduce to zero?
No, I don't think so. The issue of `genocide' is indeed raised all the
time. It was raised in the late 80's-early 90's and it was raised all
the time.
When will the Knesset discuss the bill on recognition of the `Armenian
genocide'?
As far as I know, the new date of discussions within the framework of
the same commission has not yet been appointed. You see if the
commission takes a positive decision, this is not a bill or a
subordinate act.
How strong are the positions of Armenian lobby in the Knesset?
The idea of lobby is problematic in Israel. Here it is not the same as
in the United States where there are organizations lobbying the
interests of different groups. Knesset has the association of
Israeli-Armenian friendship, Israeli-Azerbaijani friendship, there are
representatives of both communities but it is difficult to say that
there is a political lobby?
So how strong and politically active is the Armenian community of Israel?
It is difficult to say. Armenian community is mostly a religious
Orthodox Christian Armenian church. It is represented in the old city
of Jerusalem. It is one of the recognized confessions. As far as I
know, the community is not too big. There are not so many ethnic
Armenians in Israel. By my information, there are 2,000 Armenians.
Is this the data on the number of Armenians, residing in Israel?
Yes. They are mainly within the framework of the Armenian Apostle Church.
Getting back to the issue of possible adoption of the bill on
`genocide' , is it possible to say that something is difficult in
advance?
Yes, it is impossible to say anything about the results of the
discussion. You see, the legal system in Israel is designed so that
bill can be submitted for a review by a member, or group, or
government. The Commission does not initiate laws, does not create new
legal precedents. You can draw different versions of what might happen
in a particular case.
If a law recognizing the "genocide" is adopted, it is clear that
Turkey and later, most likely, Azerbaijan will respond promptly. In
this case relations with Armenia will probably improve. The failure of
the law would leave the current status qup.
Do not forget that Turkey is a NATO member and Israel is a NATO
observer. The two countries have a certain affiliated status of
cooperation. There are a lot of axes, on which there is no pressure.
There are many interests which intersect.
How did Israel react to the decision of the French parliament
regarding the adoption of the bill about criminalizing `Armenian
genocide'?
I did not hear the political reaction of our government. The issue is
being discussed in mass media and at central radio stations. Probably,
they speak it backroom.
What may Israel do to Iran soon? Will they make a missile-bomb strike?
In fact, Israel has no intention to attack Israel by all means.
Theoretically, the statements can be different. Israel is not planning
to jump the gun. The gun here means the United States. The military
operation for Israel is the last option that Israel can take, since
the implications of such an attack against Tehran may be different.
What can be the last point of no return, after which Israel will
decide to attack Iran?
Any trials of nuclear bomb. This is all quite hypothetic. It is very
difficult to say where the red line crosses, after which you will find
no way back. But it needs to understand that Iran is not a suicide
country, which means that a rational grain may be found. There is a
certain platform for sanctions which will make pragmatic Iranian
government reject the nuclear weapon.
How do you assess the current state of Azerbaijani-Israeli relations?
In fact, our cooperation is very important to Israel, and I think to
Azerbaijan, too. From Israel's perspective Azerbaijan is a country
with a Musliml, predominantly Shiite population, which maintains good
relations and develops cooperation with us. At the same time Baku is
under pressure from Iran and Turkey. And, nevertheless, it holds its
own independent policy towards Israel.
For Israel, relations with the Muslim country are very, very
important. Cooperation with Baku shows that there can be no
ideological problems between Jews and Muslims.
At present, countries are cooperating in all areas possible - in
medicine, pharmacology, hi-tech, defence industry, etc. I by the way
by my information on Saturdays and Sundays it was impossible to buy
tickets to fly to Baku. On weekdays, somehow it is possible, but there
are all full on weekends too. What does this mean? This means that the
inhabitants of the two countries regularly travel to each other for
work as tourists. All this suggests that the relations between the two
countries are improving.
News.Az
Jan 7 2012
Recognition of `Armenian' genocide may affect ties with Baku-Israeli expert
Sat 07 January 2012 09:16 GMT | 11:16 Local Time
News.Az interviews Israeli war expert Andrei Kojinov.
Earlier the Knesset commission for education, culture and sport
discussed the bill on recognition of the so-called `Armenian genocide'
in the Ottoman Empire. Do you think the Knesset will pass this law in
the end?
There are many Knesset members, who are for adoption of this bill. At
the same time there is a large number of MPs who do not want to pass
this law for various reasons. So far, the issue has never been raised
publicly. Previously, it was always discussed within the framework of
the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence commission where discussion is
never open. This time the law was discussed in the Commission for
Education, Culture and Sports. It is difficult to say whether the law
will be passed In this case, Israel has never rejected but anyway
never recognized the Armenian "genocide" (hence the quotes below are
ours - Ed.).
If the bill passes, it could cause damage to the state interests in
the international arena. Non-recognition also brings some damage. At
the same time the Foreign Ministry's official position is that the
recognition or non-recognition of "Armenian genocide" is the
interference in the internal affairs of Turkey, Armenia and even
Azerbaijan. That is, the Israeli Foreign Ministry says that Israel
will thus intervene in the negotiation process that takes place
between Turkey and Armenia. Moreover, there is very good relationship
with Azerbaijan, and the recognition of "Armenian genocide" can spoil
relations with Baku, which Israel would not like to happen.
Does it mean that if today the relations of Turkey and Israel go on
rise again, the possibility of the bill adoption will reduce to zero?
No, I don't think so. The issue of `genocide' is indeed raised all the
time. It was raised in the late 80's-early 90's and it was raised all
the time.
When will the Knesset discuss the bill on recognition of the `Armenian
genocide'?
As far as I know, the new date of discussions within the framework of
the same commission has not yet been appointed. You see if the
commission takes a positive decision, this is not a bill or a
subordinate act.
How strong are the positions of Armenian lobby in the Knesset?
The idea of lobby is problematic in Israel. Here it is not the same as
in the United States where there are organizations lobbying the
interests of different groups. Knesset has the association of
Israeli-Armenian friendship, Israeli-Azerbaijani friendship, there are
representatives of both communities but it is difficult to say that
there is a political lobby?
So how strong and politically active is the Armenian community of Israel?
It is difficult to say. Armenian community is mostly a religious
Orthodox Christian Armenian church. It is represented in the old city
of Jerusalem. It is one of the recognized confessions. As far as I
know, the community is not too big. There are not so many ethnic
Armenians in Israel. By my information, there are 2,000 Armenians.
Is this the data on the number of Armenians, residing in Israel?
Yes. They are mainly within the framework of the Armenian Apostle Church.
Getting back to the issue of possible adoption of the bill on
`genocide' , is it possible to say that something is difficult in
advance?
Yes, it is impossible to say anything about the results of the
discussion. You see, the legal system in Israel is designed so that
bill can be submitted for a review by a member, or group, or
government. The Commission does not initiate laws, does not create new
legal precedents. You can draw different versions of what might happen
in a particular case.
If a law recognizing the "genocide" is adopted, it is clear that
Turkey and later, most likely, Azerbaijan will respond promptly. In
this case relations with Armenia will probably improve. The failure of
the law would leave the current status qup.
Do not forget that Turkey is a NATO member and Israel is a NATO
observer. The two countries have a certain affiliated status of
cooperation. There are a lot of axes, on which there is no pressure.
There are many interests which intersect.
How did Israel react to the decision of the French parliament
regarding the adoption of the bill about criminalizing `Armenian
genocide'?
I did not hear the political reaction of our government. The issue is
being discussed in mass media and at central radio stations. Probably,
they speak it backroom.
What may Israel do to Iran soon? Will they make a missile-bomb strike?
In fact, Israel has no intention to attack Israel by all means.
Theoretically, the statements can be different. Israel is not planning
to jump the gun. The gun here means the United States. The military
operation for Israel is the last option that Israel can take, since
the implications of such an attack against Tehran may be different.
What can be the last point of no return, after which Israel will
decide to attack Iran?
Any trials of nuclear bomb. This is all quite hypothetic. It is very
difficult to say where the red line crosses, after which you will find
no way back. But it needs to understand that Iran is not a suicide
country, which means that a rational grain may be found. There is a
certain platform for sanctions which will make pragmatic Iranian
government reject the nuclear weapon.
How do you assess the current state of Azerbaijani-Israeli relations?
In fact, our cooperation is very important to Israel, and I think to
Azerbaijan, too. From Israel's perspective Azerbaijan is a country
with a Musliml, predominantly Shiite population, which maintains good
relations and develops cooperation with us. At the same time Baku is
under pressure from Iran and Turkey. And, nevertheless, it holds its
own independent policy towards Israel.
For Israel, relations with the Muslim country are very, very
important. Cooperation with Baku shows that there can be no
ideological problems between Jews and Muslims.
At present, countries are cooperating in all areas possible - in
medicine, pharmacology, hi-tech, defence industry, etc. I by the way
by my information on Saturdays and Sundays it was impossible to buy
tickets to fly to Baku. On weekdays, somehow it is possible, but there
are all full on weekends too. What does this mean? This means that the
inhabitants of the two countries regularly travel to each other for
work as tourists. All this suggests that the relations between the two
countries are improving.
News.Az