Azerbaijan blasts US `genocide` vote
Azerbaijan has strongly condemned the decision by a
US congressional panel to approve a bill branding the alleged 1915
killings of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey as ``genocide``, calling it
a distortion of history.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, last Friday during which he described the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee`s vote as an unfair decision, misrepresenting historical facts and fueling tension in the region, Azerbaijan`s state-run AzerTAj news agency reported.
``The attempts by Armenians, who committed genocide against Turkey and Azerbaijan throughout history, to falsify history are doomed to fail and will not be accepted by the world community,`` President Aliyev said, adding that Azerbaijan has always stood by Turkey and will continue to support its cause.
The House committee endorsed the ``genocide`` resolution with a 23-22 vote on Thursday, even though the Obama administration had urged Congress not to offend Turkey by approving it. The bill is now expected to go to the 435-member House of Representatives. Turkey warned that the resolution could jeopardize U.S-Turkish cooperation and set back negotiations aimed at opening the border between Turkey and Armenia, which remains sealed due to long-standing hostilities.
Baku`s outrage at the US lawmakers` move was also expressed by Ali Hasanov, the head of the Presidential Administration socio-political department, who told journalists that the US congressmen`s decision was ``really wrong and unjust``.
``The events which occurred in 1915 in one of the fronts during WWI saw all nations and states involved sustain losses to a certain extent,`` Hasanov said. ``It is up to independent historians and researchers, and not the congress of a country aspiring to be a superpower, to evaluate losses of the countries involved in those events.``
``The government of Azerbaijan unambiguously condemns the decision of US Congressmen, and regards it as biased, unjust, pro-Armenian and anti-Turkish. We think that this decision definitely does not conform to the interests of the United States and the American people, and that it will severely damage the country`s international image.``
Hasanov also expressed his belief that the committee`s decision would be duly discussed in the US House of Representatives and returned to the committee without a vote.
Members of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani parliament) adopted an appeal to the US Congress, recalling that Armenia occupies part of Azerbaijan`s territory and saying that researching the ``genocide`` claims was the job of historians.
``We would like to hope that a country with a democratic image like the U.S. will not allow for adopting such a decision that will affect U.S.-Turkey and U.S.-Azerbaijan relations,`` said the appeal, which was unanimously approved with 108 votes.
First Vice-Speaker Ziyafat Asgarov said the congressional committee`s move has proven that ``not the power of the law, but the rule of power prevails in the world.``
``If Turkey should be held responsible for the past, then who should answer for the killings of Indians when the American state was being established? Also, who should be held accountable for those killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Khojaly [the massacre committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in 1992]? The objective [of passing the ``genocide`` bill] is known, they are thus trying to achieve the opening of Turkey`s border with Armenia.``
MPs addressing the parliamentary session said the passage of the resolution is seen not only as pressure on Turkey but also as contradictory to the interests of Azerbaijan, its ally.
Turkey and Armenia do not have diplomatic relations and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993. Armenia`s occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan, Turkey`s ally, and Yerevan`s ``genocide`` claims have been obstacles to normal relations between the two countries. In October 2009, the two governments signed two protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders. However, the documents require parliamentary approval, and Turkish officials have assured Azerbaijan that the protocols will not pass in the country`s parliament until progress is made in resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh.
According to Asgarov, the latest developments show that relying on international law in settling the Garabagh conflict is ``a dream``. ``Therefore, Azerbaijan, as stated by President Aliyev, should rely only on its own economy and military.``
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law.
MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of the pro-opposition United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, said Azerbaijan should recall its ambassador from Washington.
``There are grounds for this, because the U.S. has not appointed its ambassador to Azerbaijan for a long time. Failure to send an ambassador is not a good development in inter-governmental relations. This is an indicator of the US attitude that is not friendly toward Azerbaijan,`` Hasanguliyev said.
The ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has sent a letter of protest to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying the fact that some members of the House of Representatives voted for this document under evident pressure from the Armenian lobby is not only disappointing but also severely damages US-Turkey and US-Azerbaijan relations.
``The attempt by the US Congress to pass such a decision casts a shadow on the country`s mediating efforts, since the U.S., a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, assumed a mission to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. On the other hand, the U.S. is showing disrespect for its commitment to friendship and partnership,`` the letter said.
``We believe that the decision of the House committee will have an adverse impact on regional developments as a whole and will be regarded as moral and political support to Armenia - a country which does not recognize the territorial integrity of neighboring countries and pursued the policy of ethnic purges - in actions threatening peace and stability in the Caucasus region.``
The U.S. moved quickly to defuse tension. Terry Davidson, spokesman for the US embassy in Baku, said Washington does not want to see the Congressional debate affecting its relations with Azerbaijan.
``We are strategic partners and, by working together, we are doing a lot for the development of the two countries. President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have clearly stated that the US Congress is not a venue for discussing the 1915 developments. As they said, the Turkish and Armenian people, their communities and historians should research history while looking to the future,`` Davidson said.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, last Friday during which he described the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee`s vote as an unfair decision, misrepresenting historical facts and fueling tension in the region, Azerbaijan`s state-run AzerTAj news agency reported.
``The attempts by Armenians, who committed genocide against Turkey and Azerbaijan throughout history, to falsify history are doomed to fail and will not be accepted by the world community,`` President Aliyev said, adding that Azerbaijan has always stood by Turkey and will continue to support its cause.
The House committee endorsed the ``genocide`` resolution with a 23-22 vote on Thursday, even though the Obama administration had urged Congress not to offend Turkey by approving it. The bill is now expected to go to the 435-member House of Representatives. Turkey warned that the resolution could jeopardize U.S-Turkish cooperation and set back negotiations aimed at opening the border between Turkey and Armenia, which remains sealed due to long-standing hostilities.
Baku`s outrage at the US lawmakers` move was also expressed by Ali Hasanov, the head of the Presidential Administration socio-political department, who told journalists that the US congressmen`s decision was ``really wrong and unjust``.
``The events which occurred in 1915 in one of the fronts during WWI saw all nations and states involved sustain losses to a certain extent,`` Hasanov said. ``It is up to independent historians and researchers, and not the congress of a country aspiring to be a superpower, to evaluate losses of the countries involved in those events.``
``The government of Azerbaijan unambiguously condemns the decision of US Congressmen, and regards it as biased, unjust, pro-Armenian and anti-Turkish. We think that this decision definitely does not conform to the interests of the United States and the American people, and that it will severely damage the country`s international image.``
Hasanov also expressed his belief that the committee`s decision would be duly discussed in the US House of Representatives and returned to the committee without a vote.
Members of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani parliament) adopted an appeal to the US Congress, recalling that Armenia occupies part of Azerbaijan`s territory and saying that researching the ``genocide`` claims was the job of historians.
``We would like to hope that a country with a democratic image like the U.S. will not allow for adopting such a decision that will affect U.S.-Turkey and U.S.-Azerbaijan relations,`` said the appeal, which was unanimously approved with 108 votes.
First Vice-Speaker Ziyafat Asgarov said the congressional committee`s move has proven that ``not the power of the law, but the rule of power prevails in the world.``
``If Turkey should be held responsible for the past, then who should answer for the killings of Indians when the American state was being established? Also, who should be held accountable for those killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Khojaly [the massacre committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in 1992]? The objective [of passing the ``genocide`` bill] is known, they are thus trying to achieve the opening of Turkey`s border with Armenia.``
MPs addressing the parliamentary session said the passage of the resolution is seen not only as pressure on Turkey but also as contradictory to the interests of Azerbaijan, its ally.
Turkey and Armenia do not have diplomatic relations and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993. Armenia`s occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan, Turkey`s ally, and Yerevan`s ``genocide`` claims have been obstacles to normal relations between the two countries. In October 2009, the two governments signed two protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders. However, the documents require parliamentary approval, and Turkish officials have assured Azerbaijan that the protocols will not pass in the country`s parliament until progress is made in resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh.
According to Asgarov, the latest developments show that relying on international law in settling the Garabagh conflict is ``a dream``. ``Therefore, Azerbaijan, as stated by President Aliyev, should rely only on its own economy and military.``
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law.
MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of the pro-opposition United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, said Azerbaijan should recall its ambassador from Washington.
``There are grounds for this, because the U.S. has not appointed its ambassador to Azerbaijan for a long time. Failure to send an ambassador is not a good development in inter-governmental relations. This is an indicator of the US attitude that is not friendly toward Azerbaijan,`` Hasanguliyev said.
The ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has sent a letter of protest to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying the fact that some members of the House of Representatives voted for this document under evident pressure from the Armenian lobby is not only disappointing but also severely damages US-Turkey and US-Azerbaijan relations.
``The attempt by the US Congress to pass such a decision casts a shadow on the country`s mediating efforts, since the U.S., a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, assumed a mission to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. On the other hand, the U.S. is showing disrespect for its commitment to friendship and partnership,`` the letter said.
``We believe that the decision of the House committee will have an adverse impact on regional developments as a whole and will be regarded as moral and political support to Armenia - a country which does not recognize the territorial integrity of neighboring countries and pursued the policy of ethnic purges - in actions threatening peace and stability in the Caucasus region.``
The U.S. moved quickly to defuse tension. Terry Davidson, spokesman for the US embassy in Baku, said Washington does not want to see the Congressional debate affecting its relations with Azerbaijan.
``We are strategic partners and, by working together, we are doing a lot for the development of the two countries. President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have clearly stated that the US Congress is not a venue for discussing the 1915 developments. As they said, the Turkish and Armenian people, their communities and historians should research history while looking to the future,`` Davidson said.
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