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MUSIC PUTS IRAN AND AZERBAIJAN AT LOGGERHEADS
PRAVDA
June 28 2012
Russia
Iran's ambassador to Azerbaijan, revoked home in connection with a
scandal, is returning to the country. The reason the two countries
have recently been at odds is pretty surprising - the "Eurovision"
musical contest held in Baku. In any case, Muhammadbaghir Bahrami
will continue his work as the Islamic Republic needs to become more
active in the Caucasus.
How it all began? Last year, the Azerbaijani won "Eurovision" in
Germany, and under the rules of the competition, Azerbaijan became
the next host. But Islamic fundamentalists did not like the fact that
song and dance competition will take place in an Islamic country,
even if it presents itself as a secular state, and went as far as to
compare it with gay parades. The Azeris responded by a picket outside
the Iranian diplomatic mission. The humiliated Tehran then immediately
recalled its ambassador home, allegedly for "further consultations".
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According to the CIA, 16 percent of the total population of
Azerbaijanis who consider themselves a single nation with the Turks
resides in Iran, and live mainly in the north-west of the state.
Turkey is actively pulling Azerbaijan into NATO and is preparing to
host U.S. missile defense elements. This does not please Russia, whose
"southern underbelly" has such a problem as the Caucasus. If Baku
falters, deceived by sweet speeches of Ankara, the situation will
deteriorate. Russia will be surrounded by enemy radars, supposedly
aimed at Teheran, but in fact, directly threatening Moscow.
After all, the borders in the Caucasus, despite being traced by
regional states, do not actually exist. The situation resembles
a third-rate TV-series: Azerbaijan is friendly with Turkey, while
Turkey, desperately trying to become a leader in the region, is
trying to be friends with everyone, except Armenia. Poor Yerevan,
locked between the two countries and Georgia, is hoping for the help
of Moscow that sees Armenia as a full member of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization and its only outpost in the Caucasus.
And where, one wonders, is the place of Iran, criticized by the
international community over its nuclear program? Of course, near
Moscow. The Iranian ambassador Muhammadbaghir Bahrami had to return
to Baku. Aggravation of diplomatic relations in a complex region is
fraught not only with musical scandals. Everyone remembers August
of 2008, when Georgia attacked South Ossetia, provoking a serious
conflict. Does Iran, in addition to the threats of war with the United
States, need small "affairs" with the neighbors? Moreover, Armenia,
seeing the flame, immediately offered to cancel the visa regime with
Iran. This is a serious slap in the face of Azerbaijan.
But Russia that has long been mediating between Baku and Yerevan,
restraining the passions, is not the only one who can reconcile Iran
and Azerbaijan. Tehran has one trump card that allows it to keep the
wrath of the Azerbaijani and Turkish politicians - the economy.
Regardless of Ankara's behavior on the geopolitical stage, the economic
component is very important to it. Turkey's trade with Georgia amounts
to only $500 million dollars, and with Azerbaijan - $3.5 billion.
Turkey is ready to invest in banking, energy and other sectors of
the economy. Now Ankara has about $2 billion dollars of "free money"
that is just waiting to be invested. If Tbilisi does not want to
be on the margins of the region, it is necessary for it not only to
maintain trade relations with Turkey, but also to develop them with
Iran, whose exports to the country amount to only 1 percent.
For example, trade with Yerevan in the Islamic Republic reaches one
billion dollars. On August 22, the ceremony of laying of the foundation
of HPP "Meghri" will take place in the southern city of Armenia, and
Tehran will become the importer for 15 years after the launch of the
station, which will more than pay for its current investment in the
"occupied" Armenia.
Of course, Mikhail Saakashvili has repeatedly called on Tehran to
abolish the visa regime, and in 2010 an agreement was finally signed,
but it did not increase the flow of Iranian tourists in Sakartvelo. He
even advised to invest in the energy sector of Georgia, but to no
avail. Iran is cautious towards such a partner as Tbilisi. In addition,
Georgia is not a Caspian state, and hence, it does not have a serious
unified interest with Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia.
Thus, Iran, rejecting the momentary emotion, will substantially
strengthen its position in the region. Moreover, it is in the most
winning situation because it made friends with Russia that still
holds has the entire Caucasus in check.
Daria Deryabina
Pravda.Ru
PRAVDA
June 28 2012
Russia
Iran's ambassador to Azerbaijan, revoked home in connection with a
scandal, is returning to the country. The reason the two countries
have recently been at odds is pretty surprising - the "Eurovision"
musical contest held in Baku. In any case, Muhammadbaghir Bahrami
will continue his work as the Islamic Republic needs to become more
active in the Caucasus.
How it all began? Last year, the Azerbaijani won "Eurovision" in
Germany, and under the rules of the competition, Azerbaijan became
the next host. But Islamic fundamentalists did not like the fact that
song and dance competition will take place in an Islamic country,
even if it presents itself as a secular state, and went as far as to
compare it with gay parades. The Azeris responded by a picket outside
the Iranian diplomatic mission. The humiliated Tehran then immediately
recalled its ambassador home, allegedly for "further consultations".
Print version Font Size Send to friend
According to the CIA, 16 percent of the total population of
Azerbaijanis who consider themselves a single nation with the Turks
resides in Iran, and live mainly in the north-west of the state.
Turkey is actively pulling Azerbaijan into NATO and is preparing to
host U.S. missile defense elements. This does not please Russia, whose
"southern underbelly" has such a problem as the Caucasus. If Baku
falters, deceived by sweet speeches of Ankara, the situation will
deteriorate. Russia will be surrounded by enemy radars, supposedly
aimed at Teheran, but in fact, directly threatening Moscow.
After all, the borders in the Caucasus, despite being traced by
regional states, do not actually exist. The situation resembles
a third-rate TV-series: Azerbaijan is friendly with Turkey, while
Turkey, desperately trying to become a leader in the region, is
trying to be friends with everyone, except Armenia. Poor Yerevan,
locked between the two countries and Georgia, is hoping for the help
of Moscow that sees Armenia as a full member of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization and its only outpost in the Caucasus.
And where, one wonders, is the place of Iran, criticized by the
international community over its nuclear program? Of course, near
Moscow. The Iranian ambassador Muhammadbaghir Bahrami had to return
to Baku. Aggravation of diplomatic relations in a complex region is
fraught not only with musical scandals. Everyone remembers August
of 2008, when Georgia attacked South Ossetia, provoking a serious
conflict. Does Iran, in addition to the threats of war with the United
States, need small "affairs" with the neighbors? Moreover, Armenia,
seeing the flame, immediately offered to cancel the visa regime with
Iran. This is a serious slap in the face of Azerbaijan.
But Russia that has long been mediating between Baku and Yerevan,
restraining the passions, is not the only one who can reconcile Iran
and Azerbaijan. Tehran has one trump card that allows it to keep the
wrath of the Azerbaijani and Turkish politicians - the economy.
Regardless of Ankara's behavior on the geopolitical stage, the economic
component is very important to it. Turkey's trade with Georgia amounts
to only $500 million dollars, and with Azerbaijan - $3.5 billion.
Turkey is ready to invest in banking, energy and other sectors of
the economy. Now Ankara has about $2 billion dollars of "free money"
that is just waiting to be invested. If Tbilisi does not want to
be on the margins of the region, it is necessary for it not only to
maintain trade relations with Turkey, but also to develop them with
Iran, whose exports to the country amount to only 1 percent.
For example, trade with Yerevan in the Islamic Republic reaches one
billion dollars. On August 22, the ceremony of laying of the foundation
of HPP "Meghri" will take place in the southern city of Armenia, and
Tehran will become the importer for 15 years after the launch of the
station, which will more than pay for its current investment in the
"occupied" Armenia.
Of course, Mikhail Saakashvili has repeatedly called on Tehran to
abolish the visa regime, and in 2010 an agreement was finally signed,
but it did not increase the flow of Iranian tourists in Sakartvelo. He
even advised to invest in the energy sector of Georgia, but to no
avail. Iran is cautious towards such a partner as Tbilisi. In addition,
Georgia is not a Caspian state, and hence, it does not have a serious
unified interest with Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia.
Thus, Iran, rejecting the momentary emotion, will substantially
strengthen its position in the region. Moreover, it is in the most
winning situation because it made friends with Russia that still
holds has the entire Caucasus in check.
Daria Deryabina
Pravda.Ru