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ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN: DIALOGUE BETWEEN DIASPORAS
Vestnik Kavkaza
Oct 25 2012
Russia
In the context of politicians' and experts' warning about threats to
inter-ethnic peace in Russia, the round table "Azerbaijani and Armenian
Diasporas of Russia: inter-ethnic dialogue" was held in Moscow. The
initiators - the Federal National and Cultural Autonomy of Azerbaijanis
and the Armenian Union of Russia - wanted to emphasize a special role
of national-cultural entities in establishing of inter-ethnic peace
in Russia.
Armen Dzhigarkhanyan, Peoples' Artist of the USSR
There are some forces which can turn over people and establish hatred.
It is possible in any situation and story. But we are neighbors.
Previously the biggest conflict was a football match between Ararat
and Neftchi. When Armenian theaters came to Baku with guest tours,
it was a real festival. People cried, laughed together. When Zeinab
Khanlarova came to Yerevan with concerts, it was a festival too. But
there are people who try to set us against each other.
I think religious activists and people of art should play a big role
in normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Many years ago
when I was young and handsome, I took part in the film "What the
River Roars About" about frontier guards. The biggest conflict was
when a cow crossed the border "illegally". People began to discuss how
to return the cow. It is a Biblical story. The more friends we have,
the great love we feel to each other, the sooner the conflict will be
settled. I am a realist and understand that conflicts between states
and nations are possible. But I ask God and Allah for our biggest
conflict would be about football. Otherwise, we will be split. Some
"good" people would be there, and suddenly we would realize that we
hold a gun in our pockets. It should be prevented. I think we are two
good nations - Azerbaijani and Armenian. Each of us should listen to
his heart and conscience. If we have disputes, let's settle them,
set questions to each other. People should agree. We have no other
variant. We cannot say: "No, he should be first!" Television ruins
the whole issue. We are imposed on the idea that there are some awful
things, hatred. When I watch Russian television, I don't want to live
anymore: somewhere explosion took place, somebody was killed, somebody
was chocked. We won't survive in this situation. Art does too little
in this sphere. I have noticed a surprising thing: people don't go
to theatre. At the moment the Kremlin Tennis Cup is taking place,
but nobody goes there to watch. Halls are empty. It is a serious
accusation to our society. We are not curious. Theaters even have
bureaus for organization of audience. Soon we will give birth to
babies in the following way: gather people and give birth to babies.
Tamara Pukhova, the chairwoman of the Woman Council of AzerRos
When the Soviet Union collapsed and the civil war began, we, common
people, people of culture, scientists, appeared to be victims of the
politics. Those who were raised in the USSR are proud of having such
a splendid person and actor, our teacher. There are many people who
bring their national identity, peculiarity. But why did we let them
destroy this identity? Today it is very sad to hear how politicians
impose false ideas about Nagorno-Karabakh on young people. As a
hostess I would like to say: every cooker cooks dolma in her own way.
She puts her heart and love into it - not only meat, green, rice. If
there is no love, no respect to those whom you want to give a treat,
life is senseless.
Soun Sadykov, the head of AzerRos
Many Armenians and Azerbaijani live together, work together, conduct
business, there are even mixed marriages between young people in
Russia. If we look at the history of Armenian and Azerbaijani people,
we see that they lived together for centuries and they will live
together forever. Mixed marriages were widely spread between them. We
have to do our best for young people not to trust provocations of
radicals who exist among Armenians and Azerbaijanis, as well as among
other ethnic-groups living in Russia.
Armen Smbatyan, the ambassador of Armenia in Russia
The wound is fresh, but in 1946 nobody could imagine that several
decades later Russians and Germans would be good friends. I notice
striving toward each other, but fear is still present. What would
they say? Wouldn't it be treated in a wrong way? You should not be
afraid of it! We should communicate. Even if we don't love each other,
we have to communicate as civilized people. Today we kill each other
like animals. Russia and Japan has a great problem - the Kuril Islands.
However, nobody kills anyone. They are communicating, providing
diplomatic and trade relations. Why do we cross the line? I think we
have to realize it, help and give a piece of advice to each other.
Russia is our friend. Russia really wants and does its best for
making us agree and settle our problems. Let other Diasporas in other
countries see it and make them do the same, and I am sure it will
influence our countries - Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are doomed for
peace. We are doomed for living in agreement. We are neighbors. We
cannot move to space - either Armenians or Azerbaijanis. Where will we
go? What will be next? We have to agree. If we could influence major
Armenian and Azerbaijani media, it will be a big achievement. If we
continue our peacemaking activity with Polad Byul-Byul Ogly, my friend,
I think we will do everything together.
Vestnik Kavkaza
Oct 25 2012
Russia
In the context of politicians' and experts' warning about threats to
inter-ethnic peace in Russia, the round table "Azerbaijani and Armenian
Diasporas of Russia: inter-ethnic dialogue" was held in Moscow. The
initiators - the Federal National and Cultural Autonomy of Azerbaijanis
and the Armenian Union of Russia - wanted to emphasize a special role
of national-cultural entities in establishing of inter-ethnic peace
in Russia.
Armen Dzhigarkhanyan, Peoples' Artist of the USSR
There are some forces which can turn over people and establish hatred.
It is possible in any situation and story. But we are neighbors.
Previously the biggest conflict was a football match between Ararat
and Neftchi. When Armenian theaters came to Baku with guest tours,
it was a real festival. People cried, laughed together. When Zeinab
Khanlarova came to Yerevan with concerts, it was a festival too. But
there are people who try to set us against each other.
I think religious activists and people of art should play a big role
in normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Many years ago
when I was young and handsome, I took part in the film "What the
River Roars About" about frontier guards. The biggest conflict was
when a cow crossed the border "illegally". People began to discuss how
to return the cow. It is a Biblical story. The more friends we have,
the great love we feel to each other, the sooner the conflict will be
settled. I am a realist and understand that conflicts between states
and nations are possible. But I ask God and Allah for our biggest
conflict would be about football. Otherwise, we will be split. Some
"good" people would be there, and suddenly we would realize that we
hold a gun in our pockets. It should be prevented. I think we are two
good nations - Azerbaijani and Armenian. Each of us should listen to
his heart and conscience. If we have disputes, let's settle them,
set questions to each other. People should agree. We have no other
variant. We cannot say: "No, he should be first!" Television ruins
the whole issue. We are imposed on the idea that there are some awful
things, hatred. When I watch Russian television, I don't want to live
anymore: somewhere explosion took place, somebody was killed, somebody
was chocked. We won't survive in this situation. Art does too little
in this sphere. I have noticed a surprising thing: people don't go
to theatre. At the moment the Kremlin Tennis Cup is taking place,
but nobody goes there to watch. Halls are empty. It is a serious
accusation to our society. We are not curious. Theaters even have
bureaus for organization of audience. Soon we will give birth to
babies in the following way: gather people and give birth to babies.
Tamara Pukhova, the chairwoman of the Woman Council of AzerRos
When the Soviet Union collapsed and the civil war began, we, common
people, people of culture, scientists, appeared to be victims of the
politics. Those who were raised in the USSR are proud of having such
a splendid person and actor, our teacher. There are many people who
bring their national identity, peculiarity. But why did we let them
destroy this identity? Today it is very sad to hear how politicians
impose false ideas about Nagorno-Karabakh on young people. As a
hostess I would like to say: every cooker cooks dolma in her own way.
She puts her heart and love into it - not only meat, green, rice. If
there is no love, no respect to those whom you want to give a treat,
life is senseless.
Soun Sadykov, the head of AzerRos
Many Armenians and Azerbaijani live together, work together, conduct
business, there are even mixed marriages between young people in
Russia. If we look at the history of Armenian and Azerbaijani people,
we see that they lived together for centuries and they will live
together forever. Mixed marriages were widely spread between them. We
have to do our best for young people not to trust provocations of
radicals who exist among Armenians and Azerbaijanis, as well as among
other ethnic-groups living in Russia.
Armen Smbatyan, the ambassador of Armenia in Russia
The wound is fresh, but in 1946 nobody could imagine that several
decades later Russians and Germans would be good friends. I notice
striving toward each other, but fear is still present. What would
they say? Wouldn't it be treated in a wrong way? You should not be
afraid of it! We should communicate. Even if we don't love each other,
we have to communicate as civilized people. Today we kill each other
like animals. Russia and Japan has a great problem - the Kuril Islands.
However, nobody kills anyone. They are communicating, providing
diplomatic and trade relations. Why do we cross the line? I think we
have to realize it, help and give a piece of advice to each other.
Russia is our friend. Russia really wants and does its best for
making us agree and settle our problems. Let other Diasporas in other
countries see it and make them do the same, and I am sure it will
influence our countries - Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are doomed for
peace. We are doomed for living in agreement. We are neighbors. We
cannot move to space - either Armenians or Azerbaijanis. Where will we
go? What will be next? We have to agree. If we could influence major
Armenian and Azerbaijani media, it will be a big achievement. If we
continue our peacemaking activity with Polad Byul-Byul Ogly, my friend,
I think we will do everything together.