Issue 3

1 st June 2001

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

40 MILLION AZERI MARK

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Presentation Given at "Armenian Genocide?" Debate

25 April 2001

London School of Economics

I have been asked to make a short presentation addressing the issues raised by the intensification of the debate on the "genocide" issue and the political fall-out that came as a result. In other words I will be concentrating on the real-politic of the matter rather than the historical aspect which was discussed in Alp Serif’s presentation earlier. Turkish evaluation of the present situation, given the aforesaid historical background, will therefore form the basis of this presentation.

I will also look at the prospects for Turkish-Armenian relations in the future and the Azerbaijani dimension to this. It is difficult to address the matter without giving proper appraisal to the Karabagh conflict and Turkish position on this issue. It should, however, be made clear that there is no direct link between Armenian -Azeri dispute over Karabagh and the events of 1915 in Eastern Anatolia. At the same time it is important to recognize that Azerbaijani historical experience in the early decades of 20 century was very much affected by those events.

General perception of the "genocide" issue in Turkey is that it represents a threat - a historical but also (and more importantly) a political threat. Several factors need to be considered to understand why this is the case.

It is becoming increasingly clear that a bulk of the discourse around "genocide" inevitably leads back to the question of who is responsible - who should pay. Many in the Armenian Diaspora are actively pursuing the matter of compensation. Recent multi-million dollar settlement in Los Angeles class action lawsuit filed by Armenian civic organisations against New York Life Insurance Co. is an indication that the matter of financial rather than historical responsibility is the driving force behind the political campaign for international recognition of genocide.

In other words if today the target for compensation claims are Western insurance companies then Turkish government will become such target in the future.

Recent moves in Armenian parliament in Yerevan regarding the abolition of Kars Treaty of 1921 further fuelled fears that the "genocide" matter is a cover for expansionist policy of the Armenian state. Armenian declaration of independence of 23 August 1990 already established Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Abolition of Kars Treaty would put Armenia in direct territorial dispute with Turkey. Many observers now view the "genocide" issue as means for Armenia to gain international sympathy and recognition, on the basis of which territorial claims against Turkey can be made in the future.

The manner in which "genocide politics" are being exercised is, however, the major concern. No proper debate took place. Turkish views have been at best ignored at best or actively ridiculed. Racism, Turk phobia and religious bigotry have unfortunately been at the heart of this issue. Reading a recent article by Robert Fisk, a well known pro-Armenian journalist, in the Independent I thought that if he was writing about any nationality other than Turks, he would have been reported to Commission for Racial Equality.

Turks are being constantly told to "get the heads out of the sand" or to "face the truth" regarding their history. Yet no evidence of Turkish civilian casualties during W.W.I (as many as 3 million) is taken into account. No piece of literature on "genocide" addresses these facts - fact that Armenians actively participated in military actions against Turkey in W.W.I; that they had their own armed forces and that Armenians too were massacring Moslems in the region.

The fact that these particular views are not being aired is half the problem. Modern Turkish state and nation stand accused of a terrible crime. When they make the attempt to defend Turkish historical heritage they are branded as "genocide deniers". This is a dangerous strategy - at a time when struggle against W.W.II Holocaust denial is intensifying e.g. the Irwing case, the term "genocide denier" creates highly biased and inflammatory connotations especially amongst those not familiar with the issue. This is not the way a dialogue should be carried out. An outcome to this problem and also to Armenian- Azerbaijani conflict must first of all be just. How can there be a just settlement when those who challenge the perceived "truths" of the genocide matter and raise legitimate questions about evidence and figures presented are demonized and ridiculed?

It is wrong to assume that it is the Armenian Diaspora that single-handedly pursuing the issue of genocide. The Armenian Republic, Armenian state, is more than interested in this. After all Armenian constitution and declaration of independence clearly identify international recognition of genocide as a "pan-national" goal. So this is as much of a current political matter as it is a historical one.

The question regarding the notion of international community recognition of genocide, is whether French parliamentarians or US congressmen or any other international political figures are in any position to pass judgments on history of Turkey or any other country? Armenian state policy and actions of Diaspora show that political goals rather than historical justice are being pursued. And this brings us to Karabagh.

The fact that Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic relations, their borders are closed and that Turkey had imposed sanctions against Armenian Republic is due largely to Armenia’s occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani territories, not to "genocide". Turkish and Azeri view is that Armenians are the aggressors and that their aggression translated into ethnic cleansing of 1 million Azeri Turks from a whole swath of South Caucasus - territories which Azeris inhabited from time immemorial. This by no means is intended to diminish the suffering of Armenian side during the conflict but given the present situation it is impossible not to draw connection between an almost hysterical campaign for political recognition of "genocide" and Armenia’s failure to justify its occupation of Azeri territories. It is therefore clear that as long as illegal occupation continues, prospects for Armenian-Turkish relations remain rather bleak.

One of the main effects of the "genocide" issue in Turkic world and Turkey and Azerbaijan in particular, was to open old wounds . Azeris mark

31 March as the Azeri Genocide Commemoration Day to pay tributes to hundreds of thousands of Azeris massacred by Armenians in the years 1915-1920 and again in the early 1990s in Karabagh.

What is important , before compromise can be reached, is for Armenians to also recognize that death is not exclusive and that Turks have died too, more than often at the hands of Armenians. I would like to conclude by reading the following passage, describing the events in Baku in 1918:

"The Armenian soldiers became more brutal as resistance subsided, and for a day and a half they looted, killed, and burned in the Moslem quarter... Almost the entire upper part of the city was burning by the afternoon of April 2..."

This comes from "Baku Commune, 1917-1918", a book written and published in 1972 by a prominent Armenian historian R. Gregor Suny. I leave it to the audience to consider what has just been read out.

PLOT OF COUP BY TEHRAN AND MOSCOW

"Iran and Russia are plotting a coup d’eta in Azerbaijan Republic (AR)" says Jahandar Bayoglu, head of BAB's press secretariat in Baku. This revelation is based on the information given by an official of Ministry of National Security. Iranian regime has sent 500 secret agents to AR during month of Moharram [a month in Islamic calendar]. Mahir Javadov who is being financed and supported by Iran, Hizbullah terrorists of "Hizbollah Vilayet-I-Faqih" organised and trained by Iran, religious missionaries of Iranian religious organisations, communists and former Azeri president Mutallibov's supporters who are being backed by Moscow are working together to overthrow the government of AR by illegal and violent means.

"It is a pity that the Azerbaijani government has not yet neutralised the activities of those foreign agents who are threatening the estate." said Bayoglu.

ARMENIAN OPERATING TOP SECRET FLIGHTS IN IRAN

IRNA: 29 Apr 01 Vice president of Iran Hassan Habibi calls for Tehran-Moscow cooperation to solve regional problems. Visiting leader of the Fatherland-All Russia (OVR) party, Yevgeny Primakov here Sunday that Iran and Russia can through cooperation with each other help their friends (Afghanistan and Armenia) solve regional problems. He said Iran and Russia should prevent foreigners' presence in the region and the Caspian Sea and let the sea run in a way that no only the economic issues but the security and environmental issues are also included in the process. He called Palestine as another important issue of the region and also pointed to the deplorable situation of the Palestinian refugees and expressed hope that Russia would defend the rights of the oppressed Palestinian refugees at the UN Security Council. He expressed hope that Tehran-Moscow ties would further expand in various fields. Primakov in return stressed adoption of suitable strategies in the case of the Caspian Sea and said Russia would not allow any other country to meddle in the case.

Iran is No. 1 terrorist backer -- State Department

WASHINGTON (AP) Apr. 30 - Iran was the most active sponsor of terrorism world-wide last year, offering assistance for groups opposed to Israel and to peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours, the State Department said Monday.

Still, Secretary of State Colin Powell gave an upbeat assessment of the struggle against terrorism world-wide, saying that international cooperation ``is increasing and it is paying off.''

Powell commented as the State Department released its annual report on terrorism.

A department official said Iran has been the most active state sponsor of terrorism for about a decade, although some annual reports stop short of officially making that designation.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security ``continued to be involved in the planning and execution of terrorist acts and continued to support a variety of groups that use terrorism to pursue their goals,'' the report said.

``Statements by Iran's leaders demonstrated Iran's unrelenting hostility to Israel,'' the report said. ``Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continued to refer to Israel as a 'cancerous tumour' that must be removed.''

Powell's analysis of the overall situation was more positive than in past years.

As examples of progress, he cited the tightened U.N. Security Council sanctions against Afghanistan, which harbours Osama bin Laden, who is wanted for the bombings of two U.S. embassies in East Africa in 1998.

He also pointed to the trial and conviction of a Libyan intelligence officer in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, and continued progress in the investigation into the bombing of the USS Cole last October in Yemen.

That incident killed 17 American sailors and, according to the report, accounted for all but two of the Americans who died in terrorist incidents in 2000.

Powell told reporters that ``state sponsors of terrorism ``are increasingly isolated. Terrorist groups are under growing pressure. Terrorists are being brought to justice. We will not let up.''

The number of anti-U.S. attacks rose from 169 in 1999 to 200 in 2000, the report said, largely because of an increase in pipeline bombings in Colombia. These attacks, though numerous, rarely result in casualties.

Nations that repeatedly provide support for actions of international terrorism are required by law to be placed on the State Department's terrorism list.

Pakistan is not on the list, but the 91-page report said the United States has been increasingly concerned about reports of Pakistan's support for terrorist groups in Kashmir.

Edmund Hull, the top official in the State Department's counter-terrorism office, suggested to reporters that Pakistan has been able to remain off the list because of its cooperation with the United States on a number of terrorism cases.

The countries on the terrorism list are Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Cuba, North Korea, Syria and Libya. Hull noted that the United States has initiated a dialogue with Sudan based on evidence that the East African country has demonstrated a ``serious intent to get out of the terrorism business.''

London-28 May Hundreds of Azeris living in Britain marked Independence day in West London. Memmed Vidad an Azeri of Qars had his wedding in the community hall on the same day. He is an accordion player known as Memmed Qarmonchi and has entertained the Azeri community for years . It was payback time and every body worked hard to make this special day to be remembered for ever. More and more Azeris are holding their wedding on independence day. It is being considered to be a good omen if the beginning of their family life coincides with declaration of first democratic republic of whole east. During the celebration community leaders congratulated the crowd specially Memmed and Toghba (bride and groom) and made short speeches.

Azerbaijan Embassy in London organised another celebration in the embassy hall on 29 May. Over 40 ambassadors, representatives of British government, Azeris living in UK and British companies were invited. Celebration lasted for three hours.

Source: Presidential Press Service

Ex-Intelligence Minister's Campaign Is Viewed as Effort to Clear His Name

TEHRAN, May 28 -- (AP)It was a three-year trial with 166 witnesses, stretched out over 246 court sessions. In the end, it took a German judge six hours to read the decision, but he minced no words: Intelligence Minister Ali Fallahian, a member of Iran's Committee for Special Operations, had directed the 1992 assassinations of three Kurdish dissidents and their translator at Berlin's Mykonos restaurant.

Today, Fallahian is running for president of Iran. Most Iranians who go to the polls June 8 know nothing of the Berlin case, which was decided in 1997. But some do think of Fallahian as the "Master Key," a name used by Iran's top investigative journalist to describe the man allegedly behind a government conspiracy to kill Iranians at home who have criticised the country's conservative Islamic system.

Fallahian's presidential bid is receiving little domestic attention, but his candidacy has refocused international attention on lingering questions about the country's record in sponsoring assassinations.

The decision in the Mykonos restaurant case was the first time a Western court directly implicated Iran's top leadership in the killing of Iranian dissidents abroad. A three-judge panel said that Fallahian, then intelligence minister, had been delegated to carry out "an official liquidation order" issued by Iran's Committee for Special Operations. German police had issued an arrest warrant for him a year earlier.

Fallahian was the only Iranian official named in the ruling. But the court cited testimony that the hit -- two masked gunmen burst into the restaurant and sprayed the four people with automatic weapons fire -- could only have been carried out with an order signed by Iran's president and supreme leader, who were cited only by title. At the time, Iran's president was Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and its supreme leader was the same as today, Khamenei.

*****

Azerbaijan unaware of processes in northern Iran, Azeri activist

BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; May 29, 2001

Cingiz Goyturk was born in the town of Sarab in the south in 1966. He graduated from the faculty of agriculture, University of Tabriz. As a student, he joined the national movement and was arrested in 1981 for secretly disseminating anti-regime leaflets in Iran. After his release, he met Dr Zehtabi, Abulfaz Elcibay's teacher, who gave him lessons in Azeri. He worked for Tabriz radio as a broadcaster, director and journalist. At the same time, he worked as a teacher in a secondary school. He was fired from the school for teaching his pupils in Azeri along with Persian. He was one of the founders of the Turkic revival organization. Since pressure was exerted on him, he left Iran in 1992 and came to northern Azerbaijan. He met Elcibay and became his companion. In June 1993, he went to Kalaki and together with Elcibay continued his struggle for four years and two months. As a result of Elcibay's recommendation, he was appointed deputy chairman of the United Azerbaijan Association.

[Reporter] Cingiz bey [form of address], it is known that Azerbaijan was united historically. This nation was divided into two after the Turkmancay agreement. For 200 years now, our people have been fighting for their territorial integrity. Was this the driving force for the creation of United Azerbaijan Association, of which you are deputy chairman and was founded in Kalaki ?

[Cingiz Goyturk] Since Azerbaijan's division, the people of Azerbaijan have striven for reunion and have always fought for this goal. This fight has been going on both in the northern and southern Azerbaijan. In spite of the fact that our people wish to unite, the unity was not the guiding principle in this fight. The main reason that our fight was defeated to some extent and yielded no results, is that a united Azerbaijan was not the target. In general, the homeland can be compared with a body, if it is divided, it will not develop.

The idea of a united Azerbaijan stems from a 200-year-old wish for unity.

[Passage omitted: historical background]

[Reporter] Do you not think that unlike the south, northern Azerbaijan has a different approach to the idea of unity and in general, to the processes that are taking place in the south?

[Goyturk] Unfortunately, this is true. On the whole, northern Azerbaijan is absolutely unaware of the reawakening and national liberation movement in the south. I'll tell you something - at a round table held by the Democratic Congress, Avaz Temirxan, deputy chairman of the Liberal Party, said that we should liberate Karabakh first and then southern Azerbaijan. This statement stems from Avaz Temirxan's lack of information. The movement has already started in southern Azerbaijan. This movement is gradually yielding results. Ten years ago, I had to leave the country for giving lessons in our native language in the south. Today on every corner in the south, there are courses in Azeri, on the history of music and so on. This goes to show that the movement, which is already under way, is yielding results at the national-cultural level. According to my information, the Iraniangovernment is even preparing a concept of teaching Azeri in primary and secondary schools. This means that the movement is yielding results. Nobody is suggesting to Avaz Temirxan and others, who think like him, to go and start a revolution in the south. [Passage omitted: details]

on him to destroy national forces? In one of your talks to the United Azerbaijan Association, you said that after the Dr Varjavand's letter, pressure on Azerbaijani Turks had increased in Iran and even repression was expected.

[Goyturk] Yes, this is true. In his letter to Khatami, Parviz Varjavand clearly says that "the movement in the south is on a large scale and if you do not take serious action, Iran's territorial integrity will be in danger". Even blackmailing and provocative expressions were used in that letter. He ties the movement in Iran to Turkey and other foreign countries. As for the repression, I can say that its signs can already be seen. According to our information, high-ranking officers of Azerbaijani origin are being made redundant in the army and the law-enforcement force. Pressure, insults and fines have increased. I would like to draw your attention to another issue - the conservative and reformist wings, which went even for physical clashes until yesterday, are united on issues regarding the Azerbaijani national movement and have taken the same stance in the Iranian parliament.

[Reporter] You said that the repression against Azeris may continue. What measures has the United Azerbaijan Association taken in this connection?

[Goyturk] Of course, as the United Azerbaijan Association, we will spare no efforts to try to stop repression against Azeris. I reckon that the United Azerbaijan Association has enough power and potential to prevent this.

[Passage omitted: About the Azerbaijani diaspora abroad]

Source: 525 qazet, Baku, in Azeri 23 May 01 p 8