RUSSIAN STATE DUMA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN’S OPINION ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH BRINGS SERIOUS HARMS TO MOSCOW’S INTERESTS: AZERBAIJANI MPS
Trend
Sept 16 2009
Azerbaijan
Opinion of the deputy chairman of the State Duma of Russia regarding
Nagorno-Karabakh is seriously prejudicial to the interests of official
Moscow, Azerbaijani MPs consider.
"Zhirinovsky’s words not only contradict to the interests of
Azerbaijan, but also Russia. If we take into account whom the
present territory of Russia belonged to and the separatists,
periodically appearing in this country, then nothing will remain
from Russia. This is Zhirinovsky’s shortsightedness that he makes so
stupid and irresponsible statements," Aydin Mirzazade, MP from the
ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), told Trend News on September 16.
Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Leader of the Liberal
Democratic Party of Russia, Vladimir Zhirinovsky said in his
interview with News-Armenia that Nagorno-Karabakh is the native
Armenian lands. "It is possible to hold negotiation 5-10 years more,
but everything will conclude over the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh will
be annexed to Armenia or will be recognized as an independent state,"
he said.
"Some preliminary results of the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh or
the signing of a peace agreement are not so far. Firstly five and
later two districts will be returned. Later, debates will be held
on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. It is interesting that Russia
protects this principle. So, today Zhirinovsky strongly acts against
state policy of Russia. His statements seriously affect the image of
Russia," said Azerbaijani MP.
"Zhirinovsky is the politician of yesterday. He acts against the
principle of territorial integrity, keeping peace. Today Russia itself
also faces similar problems – Japan’s claim on the Kuril Islands,
a separatist movement that was formerly in the North Caucasus. Did
Zhirinovsky really forget about all these? If he is really so
interested in the issue of self-determination of Armenians, let him
make a proposal to establish an independent Armenian state in Russia’s
cities of Stavropol, Krasnodar and in Moscow, and Azerbaijan will watch
what it will bring and come to a definite conclusion," said Mirzazade.
According to the MP, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is not solved by
such aggressive people as Zhirinovsky, but by the Azerbaijani people
and president.
"So, in what form the Armenians residing in Nagorno-Karabakh will
receive status is a matter of the future. And most importantly, as the
president said, the status will be determined within the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan," said the MP.
According to Mirzazade, there is no need to protest in connection with
Zhirinovsky’s words at the level of parliament. "It is unworthy to
pay attention to irresponsible speeches of people like him," he said.
It is not necessary to seriously accept the words of deputy chairman
of Russia’s State Duma regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, MP Zahid Oruj,
deputy chairman of Ana Vatan Party, told Trend News on September 16.
"If we seriously accept the position of Vladimir Zhirinovsky in the
current reality, answering him with official actions, statements and
parliamentary factions, it will facilitate his position. Of course,
the MPs should express their strong protest against this, but only
because he voiced this position not as a representative of the party,
but as the deputy chairman of the State Duma of Russia," Oruj said.
According to the MP, the issues related to Zhirinovsky’s opinion
should be regulated in the information plane. "The use of other forms
of expressing attitude towards this can lead to the implementation
of plans, drawn up by Zhirinovsky together with Armenia, further
replication and spread of his views in the society, and may even
contribute to their entry into the international community," he said.
Oruj said that no one has proper influence on the position of deputy
chairman of the State Duma of Russia. "The Azerbaijanis are concerned
by it. But he has no legal and political weight to make this position
accepted by the international organizations. Zhirinovsky was the
author of so many extravagant steps, actions and statements that some
countries simply refused to seriously accept and officially respond
to his position," said the MP .
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.