Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict as eyed by Turkish journalists

The atrocities committed by Armenians in Azerbaijan, occupation of our lands, Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, culture and education in Azerbaijan, opinion of Azerbaijanis about Turkish-Armenian relations are the topics to which Turkish mass medias do not refer too often,

A group of Turkish journalists visiting Azerbaijan by invitation of MP Ganira Pashayeva, expressed their attitude towards what they saw in Azerbaijan upon their return. Journalist of the Haber7 online agency Unal Tanik tried to answer the question "Why does the world eye Armenians as victims and Azerbaijanis as aggressive?".

"The frontier regions of Azerbaijan such as Tovuz, despite the ceasefire regime, are subjected to fire every day. Azerbaijani intellectuals expect much from Turkey. The only thought of the opening of Turkish-Armenian borders bothers Azerbaijan much. This is due to the following forecast: "In cast of opening of borders with Armenia, this country will not come closer to peaceful agreement with Azerbaijan. Despite their aggression, Armenians always show themselves as victims. Turkey should not allow to deceive itself.

Armenians are backed into a corner and therefore today they are taking such actions in the Turkish direction. During the meeting in Azerbaijan deputy of Azerbaijani parliament, Elman Mamedov complained about the actions of the Azerbaijani and Turkish lobby. He considers that representatives of these diasporas are mostly engaged in improving their material welfare, but they never think of turning this capital into political, while Armenians are too active in the sociopolitical life of the country where they reside and for this reason the image of a Turk or a barbarian Azerbaijani created by them is accepted by this society".

Jouralist Nukh Genultash devoted three articles to Azerbaijan. In his articles he spoke in details about what he saw in Tovuz and Ganja.

"Azerbaijani authorities and ordinary citizens are seriously concerned about talks between Turkey and Armenia. Everyone has the only thought in the head: "will Turkey betray us?". All are confident that if Turkey opens borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan will not be able to return Karabakh, as Azerbaijan is backed by Turkey in this issue. Russia, United States and even Europe are on Armenians' side. The policy of the ruling party of Turkey in the Armenian direction bothers Azerbaijanis and some forces in Azerbaijan use this situation agaist Turkey.

Azerbaijanis are discontented with Turkish press. They consider that Turkish mass medias do not pay the attention they paid to the anniversary of Grant Dink's death to Karabakh and Khojaly. Azerbaijanis love Turkey as their own country. Turkish football clubs and soap operas are popular and even outstrip local ones for popularity. There are no serious differences between the two languages and Azerbaijani poets and writers always fight for the purity of the Turkic language", the author writes.

Daily Axion magazine has published 2 articles about the visit of journalists to our country. In his article "Life in target on Azerbaijani-Armenian border", Tuncer Cetin spoke of the constant attack of our frontier villages by Armenian snipers. "Tens of civilians were killed and wounded in 2008. These facts are well known to the Council of Europe but the world closes eyes on this inhumanity. Residents of Aghdam, Alibeyli and Gajaly villages of Tovuz, Azerbaijan are under constant threat of sniper fire. It is inhumane to feel a sniper eye on you 24 hours a day.

The second article of this author, published in Axion magazine is called "Ideals of Nuru pasha are realized by Turkish schools". The article stresses the fact that after release of Baku from Russian, English and Armenian invaders in 1918, the Turkish command  started opening of schools: "Today Turkish lyceums play a serious role in the public life of Azerbaijan. In the early 1990s Turkish lyceums were for the first time opened in this very country and further spread throughout the world. We visited the first capital of Azerbaijan-Ganja.

The first parliament of the Islamic world was in this very city. Most do not know that during the First world war Turks won not only at Dardanellas. There is another very important victory. It was gained in the fight against English, Russians and their pals - Armenians in Baku. The hero of this victory - commander of the Caucasus Islamic Army Nuri Pasha released Baku where over 20,000 innocent people were slaughtered. He was 27 at that time.

At that period the Azerbaijani government declared Ganja as a capital and request help from the Osman empire. Despite the objections of its ally Germany, the Turkey formed the Caucasus Islamic Army that directed to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani population welcomed the Turkish soldiers with great inspiration and tears in eyes. Turkish and Azerbaijani flags were put up everywhere in Ganja. 1130 Turkish soldiers died and after 30 hours of fights Baku was released and Azerbaijan gained long-expected independence.

Correspondent of Zaman newspaper Fikri Turchel in his article "How can one not love Azerbaijanis" notes that the first democratic republic in the Turkic-Islamic world was created in Azerbaijan. "Karabakh is a place with a picturesque and wonderful nature and the mother of vivid music. It is not by accident that Armenians turned their eyes here. Ganja is a mother of great poets of the East. Grandchildren of great Suphy Pir Sultan Abdala still live here"...

/Day.Az/