Azeri lawmakers blast Iran
Azerbaijani lawmakers directed a wave of criticism
at Iran`s policies toward its neighbor during a parliamentary
sitting on Tuesday.
Zahid Oruj, deputy chairman of pro-government Ana Vatan party, said "the presence of an Azerbaijani state does not suit Iran."
"There are several reasons for that. First, Iran believes that it could impose its religious state model on countries like Azerbaijan. Tehran is therefore trying to capitalize on the religion factor in its attitude toward Azerbaijan," the MP said.
According to him, Iranian secret service bodies are attempting to use Azerbaijani youths heading to the neighboring country to receive religious education as a weapon.
Secondly, Iran is trying to take advantage of Azerbaijan`s ethnic diversity. "This policy is particularly evident in Azerbaijani borderline regions. [In doing so], Tehran is allegedly striving to protect the rights of ethnic minorities here," Oruj opined.
The Ana Vatan deputy chairman believes that Iran considers Azerbaijan`s foreign political and economic relations as a threat to its interests, but this stance is erroneous.
"They cannot cite a single fact whereby we took any steps against Iran in the oil contracts we have signed or in our political relations."
Oruj went on to say that Iran is impeding the determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea, an issue that has long been under discussion among the five coastal nations -- Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Russia. Tehran, which is failing to draw closer to an agreement with Azerbaijan on the sea-bed division, is using these differences as a lever of influence on Baku`s economic plans and political relations.
Oruj also cited the propaganda being pursued by Iranian TV channels against Azerbaijan, saying it should be actually deemed as the government`s position.
"It is common knowledge that Iran is a totalitarian country, and talking about independent media in such countries would be out of place. This being said, the propaganda being pursued by Iranian TV channels against Azerbaijan should be considered as Tehran`s stance."
Oruj said such an anti-Azerbaijan policy pursued by the Seher (Morning) TV is not being carried out even by Armenia, with which Azerbaijan faces a long-standing conflict.
"This TV channel is a mouthpiece of Iran`s official policy," Oruj said.
He also noted that the drug proliferation problem has nearly turned into a state policy in Iran`s relations with its northern neighbor.
"I am saying this with a full brunt of responsibility. It is enough to take a look at statistical figures. 70-80 per cent of narcotics trafficked while using Azerbaijan as a transit state is being transported from Iran," Oruj said, adding that Iran is thus trying to undermine Azerbaijani citizens physically and morally.
The MP said Iran-Armenia relations serve to the strengthening of Armenia`s positions in the Azerbaijani territories it occupies.
"Iran`s Constitution starts with the name of Allah. I would very much like for the Iranian state to honor the name of Allah," Oruj said.
Igbal Aghazada, the leader of the opposition Umid Party, agreed that the Seher TV channel is pursuing propaganda against Azerbaijan. According to him, the broadcaster has been airing programs in the past several days ridiculing the country`s relations with Turkey, its ally.
"Azerbaijan should come out against this vile stance of Iran," the lawmaker said.
He said the 35 million Azerbaijanis living in Iran should protest this policy of Tehran, and a new government that would respect the rights of Azerbaijanis should be formed in the country.
Zahid Oruj, deputy chairman of pro-government Ana Vatan party, said "the presence of an Azerbaijani state does not suit Iran."
"There are several reasons for that. First, Iran believes that it could impose its religious state model on countries like Azerbaijan. Tehran is therefore trying to capitalize on the religion factor in its attitude toward Azerbaijan," the MP said.
According to him, Iranian secret service bodies are attempting to use Azerbaijani youths heading to the neighboring country to receive religious education as a weapon.
Secondly, Iran is trying to take advantage of Azerbaijan`s ethnic diversity. "This policy is particularly evident in Azerbaijani borderline regions. [In doing so], Tehran is allegedly striving to protect the rights of ethnic minorities here," Oruj opined.
The Ana Vatan deputy chairman believes that Iran considers Azerbaijan`s foreign political and economic relations as a threat to its interests, but this stance is erroneous.
"They cannot cite a single fact whereby we took any steps against Iran in the oil contracts we have signed or in our political relations."
Oruj went on to say that Iran is impeding the determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea, an issue that has long been under discussion among the five coastal nations -- Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Russia. Tehran, which is failing to draw closer to an agreement with Azerbaijan on the sea-bed division, is using these differences as a lever of influence on Baku`s economic plans and political relations.
Oruj also cited the propaganda being pursued by Iranian TV channels against Azerbaijan, saying it should be actually deemed as the government`s position.
"It is common knowledge that Iran is a totalitarian country, and talking about independent media in such countries would be out of place. This being said, the propaganda being pursued by Iranian TV channels against Azerbaijan should be considered as Tehran`s stance."
Oruj said such an anti-Azerbaijan policy pursued by the Seher (Morning) TV is not being carried out even by Armenia, with which Azerbaijan faces a long-standing conflict.
"This TV channel is a mouthpiece of Iran`s official policy," Oruj said.
He also noted that the drug proliferation problem has nearly turned into a state policy in Iran`s relations with its northern neighbor.
"I am saying this with a full brunt of responsibility. It is enough to take a look at statistical figures. 70-80 per cent of narcotics trafficked while using Azerbaijan as a transit state is being transported from Iran," Oruj said, adding that Iran is thus trying to undermine Azerbaijani citizens physically and morally.
The MP said Iran-Armenia relations serve to the strengthening of Armenia`s positions in the Azerbaijani territories it occupies.
"Iran`s Constitution starts with the name of Allah. I would very much like for the Iranian state to honor the name of Allah," Oruj said.
Igbal Aghazada, the leader of the opposition Umid Party, agreed that the Seher TV channel is pursuing propaganda against Azerbaijan. According to him, the broadcaster has been airing programs in the past several days ridiculing the country`s relations with Turkey, its ally.
"Azerbaijan should come out against this vile stance of Iran," the lawmaker said.
He said the 35 million Azerbaijanis living in Iran should protest this policy of Tehran, and a new government that would respect the rights of Azerbaijanis should be formed in the country.
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