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EXILED LEADER LAMENTS "ASSIMILATION" OF ETHNIC MINORITY IN AZERBAIJAN
Nagornyy Karabakh Public TV, Artsakh
28 sept 2013
The following is the text of Norayr Hovsepyan's interview with the
leader of the Talis national liberation movement in Azerbaijan,
Alikram Humbatov,[the president of the Talis-Mugan republic that
was proclaimed in extreme south-eastern Azerbaijan in June 1993
and swiftly suppressed in August 1993, who is currently stripped of
Azerbaijani citizenship and resides in the Netherlands], broadcast
by the government-run TV station of Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagornyy
Karabakh on 28 September. Questions were asked in Armenian and Humbatov
answered in Russia with Armenian translation superimposed:
[Hovsepyan] Please tell me whether there are any concrete implications
in the time chosen for your visit [to Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh].
[Humbatov] The sub-department of Talis studies has been founded at
the department of oriental studies in Armenia and I was invited to
participate in the ceremony. It is the only such center in the world
dedicated to the Talis people.
[Hovsepyan] Why has such a sub-department not been founded in
Azerbaijan, where the Talis are much more numerous than in Armenia?
[Humbatov] In Azerbaijan, even the name Talisistan or Talis region
have been changed. They are called Southern Region. If they, the
Azerbaijanis, had a choice, they would say that there are no people
as the Talis. They want exactly this.
[Hovsepyan] Is the educational sphere the only sphere of concern for
the Talis and other national minorities in Azerbaijan?
[Humbatov] The Talis are deprived of everything in Azerbaijan. They
even do not allow putting the names of any settlement in their native
Talis form. It is absolutely prohibited. These names are made Turkish.
They want to assimilate us and are doing everything possible in this
direction. But we will not surrender and will defend our rights till
the end.
[Hovsepyan] If nothing changes, what will be the life of the Talis
and other national minorities?
[Humbatov] There are 24 nations [ethnic groups] in Azerbaijan and all
of them are under the pressure of assimilation. The situation is a
bit better for Lezgins, because Dagestani people support them. Other
nations, including the Talis do not enjoy such support and should
survive by themselves. We must do everything possible to survive
the pressure.
[Hovsepyan] So, if this continues, will the Talis leave their native
land for another country?
[Humbatov] No, we do not want even to think of such a scenario. We will
not leave our land voluntarily. Azerbaijan may carry out deportation
of our people or strengthen the assimilation process. The situation
is worsened by the lack of democracy in Azerbaijan. What is more,
the country is steadily moving towards authoritarianism.
[Hovsepyan] Karabakh was basically facing a similar situation under
the Azerbaijani rule, but it chose another path. Being in Karabakh,
how do you assess the situation in our country?
[Humbatov] Karabakh is developing peacefully and calmly. I see joy
in the eyes of your people. They look happy. I like it very much. I
have not seen such a joy in the eyes of my people. I feel that youths
can see their freedom, valuing it very much. People will definitely
defend their freedom. I beg God that one day my people feel the same.
[Hovsepyan] What are you going to do to change the situation? What
direction the processes will move in?
[Humbatov] Azerbaijan should become a confederation.
[Hovsepyan] Who should be part of this confederation?
[Humbatov] It is still too early to speak about some concrete details.
We should continue our discussions.
[Hovsepyan] But even if Azerbaijan becomes democratic, it seems
unlikely that the central authorities will allow national minorities
to speak.
[Humbatov] Even the democratic world is not interested in democratic
Azerbaijan, because it is much easier to solve problems with one
person than with the whole people. The people of Azerbaijani should
resolve this issue by themselves without relying on somebody else.
[Hovsepyan] In Karabakh, we have such a precedent, when the whole
people decided their fate on their own. Can this set an example
for you?
[Humbatov] As a military person and participant in the war of
Azerbaijan against Karabakh. I saw what it was and I do not want
another war in our region. I do not want the Talis to fight.
[Hovsepyan] As a military man, when did you understand that the war
was futile, especially for those nations in Azerbaijan, including
the Talis, who this war was alien for?
[Humbatov] Some 20-25 years ago, we thought in a completely different
way. We thought that defending Azerbaijan was our duty. We thought
that we should do something for out Homeland. Twenty years later:
"What the Motherland has done for us?" At that time, we regarded
Azerbaijan as our Motherland. Now it is Talisistan that is our
Motherland. We are ready to do everything for this very Motherland.
[Hovsepyan] In Karabakh, we never rule out the possibility of a new
war. What is the situation in Azerbaijan? Will the national minorities
again come and face us from the opposite site of the trenches?
[Humbatov] God forbid. If there is a new war, I will speak up and
say that it is not our war and we do not need it. I urge all other
minorities not to sacrifice their God-given life to the war, which
is not ours.
[Translated from Armenian]
Nagornyy Karabakh Public TV, Artsakh
28 sept 2013
The following is the text of Norayr Hovsepyan's interview with the
leader of the Talis national liberation movement in Azerbaijan,
Alikram Humbatov,[the president of the Talis-Mugan republic that
was proclaimed in extreme south-eastern Azerbaijan in June 1993
and swiftly suppressed in August 1993, who is currently stripped of
Azerbaijani citizenship and resides in the Netherlands], broadcast
by the government-run TV station of Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagornyy
Karabakh on 28 September. Questions were asked in Armenian and Humbatov
answered in Russia with Armenian translation superimposed:
[Hovsepyan] Please tell me whether there are any concrete implications
in the time chosen for your visit [to Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh].
[Humbatov] The sub-department of Talis studies has been founded at
the department of oriental studies in Armenia and I was invited to
participate in the ceremony. It is the only such center in the world
dedicated to the Talis people.
[Hovsepyan] Why has such a sub-department not been founded in
Azerbaijan, where the Talis are much more numerous than in Armenia?
[Humbatov] In Azerbaijan, even the name Talisistan or Talis region
have been changed. They are called Southern Region. If they, the
Azerbaijanis, had a choice, they would say that there are no people
as the Talis. They want exactly this.
[Hovsepyan] Is the educational sphere the only sphere of concern for
the Talis and other national minorities in Azerbaijan?
[Humbatov] The Talis are deprived of everything in Azerbaijan. They
even do not allow putting the names of any settlement in their native
Talis form. It is absolutely prohibited. These names are made Turkish.
They want to assimilate us and are doing everything possible in this
direction. But we will not surrender and will defend our rights till
the end.
[Hovsepyan] If nothing changes, what will be the life of the Talis
and other national minorities?
[Humbatov] There are 24 nations [ethnic groups] in Azerbaijan and all
of them are under the pressure of assimilation. The situation is a
bit better for Lezgins, because Dagestani people support them. Other
nations, including the Talis do not enjoy such support and should
survive by themselves. We must do everything possible to survive
the pressure.
[Hovsepyan] So, if this continues, will the Talis leave their native
land for another country?
[Humbatov] No, we do not want even to think of such a scenario. We will
not leave our land voluntarily. Azerbaijan may carry out deportation
of our people or strengthen the assimilation process. The situation
is worsened by the lack of democracy in Azerbaijan. What is more,
the country is steadily moving towards authoritarianism.
[Hovsepyan] Karabakh was basically facing a similar situation under
the Azerbaijani rule, but it chose another path. Being in Karabakh,
how do you assess the situation in our country?
[Humbatov] Karabakh is developing peacefully and calmly. I see joy
in the eyes of your people. They look happy. I like it very much. I
have not seen such a joy in the eyes of my people. I feel that youths
can see their freedom, valuing it very much. People will definitely
defend their freedom. I beg God that one day my people feel the same.
[Hovsepyan] What are you going to do to change the situation? What
direction the processes will move in?
[Humbatov] Azerbaijan should become a confederation.
[Hovsepyan] Who should be part of this confederation?
[Humbatov] It is still too early to speak about some concrete details.
We should continue our discussions.
[Hovsepyan] But even if Azerbaijan becomes democratic, it seems
unlikely that the central authorities will allow national minorities
to speak.
[Humbatov] Even the democratic world is not interested in democratic
Azerbaijan, because it is much easier to solve problems with one
person than with the whole people. The people of Azerbaijani should
resolve this issue by themselves without relying on somebody else.
[Hovsepyan] In Karabakh, we have such a precedent, when the whole
people decided their fate on their own. Can this set an example
for you?
[Humbatov] As a military person and participant in the war of
Azerbaijan against Karabakh. I saw what it was and I do not want
another war in our region. I do not want the Talis to fight.
[Hovsepyan] As a military man, when did you understand that the war
was futile, especially for those nations in Azerbaijan, including
the Talis, who this war was alien for?
[Humbatov] Some 20-25 years ago, we thought in a completely different
way. We thought that defending Azerbaijan was our duty. We thought
that we should do something for out Homeland. Twenty years later:
"What the Motherland has done for us?" At that time, we regarded
Azerbaijan as our Motherland. Now it is Talisistan that is our
Motherland. We are ready to do everything for this very Motherland.
[Hovsepyan] In Karabakh, we never rule out the possibility of a new
war. What is the situation in Azerbaijan? Will the national minorities
again come and face us from the opposite site of the trenches?
[Humbatov] God forbid. If there is a new war, I will speak up and
say that it is not our war and we do not need it. I urge all other
minorities not to sacrifice their God-given life to the war, which
is not ours.
[Translated from Armenian]