Elchin Askerov: "It would be politically more correct to blame for falsehood and treason definite high ranking officials of Armenia, responsible for inciting Nagorno Karabakh conflict, but not all Armenians"

- Head of the Caucasus Muslims Department Haji Allahshukur Pashazade voiced strong condemnations addressed to Armenians. Moreover, he said that falsehood and treason in in Armenians' blood. How would you comment this statement?

- I have familiarized with these statements and I think, on the whole, Pashazade gave a right assessment to the situation, connected with Nagorno Karabakh conflict, during which Armenia occupied 20% of Azerbaijani lands. Moreover, despite numerous attempts of Azerbaijani side to settle the conflict peacefully, it remains unsettled by Armenia's fault until present. I can partially understand the sharpness of these condemnations. Nagorno Karabakh problem is such a painful issue for each Azerbaijani that it is difficult to restrain. The boldness of Armenian leadership makes us nervous.

On the other hand, it would be politically more correct to blame for falsehood and treason definite high ranking officials of Armenia, responsible for inciting Nagorno Karabakh conflict, but not all Armenians" The position of the previous and present day government of Azerbaijan does not promote the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

- How do you assess activity of the Caucasus Muslims Department in the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

- Since the first days of the conflict the Caucasus Muslims Department has been actively involved in informing the world community about the true facts on the conflict. Pashazade has repeatedly met with the Cathalicos of all Armenians and informed him about Azerbaijan's position and intention to settle the conflict peacefully. At these and other meetings he repeatedly stated that Nagorno Karabakh conflict can not be of interreligious nature.

- While being the Prime Minister, Armenia's working president Serzh Sargsyan announced that Nagorno Karabakh conflict is a war of religions...

- Exactly. At that time, Day.Az news agency condemned the Armenian Prime Minister for such announcements. At that period in my interview I announced that the attempts of the Armenian side to present the conflict as a religious one are aimed at gaining the sympathy of the Christian west. Serzh Sargsyan attempted to present Nagorno Karabakh conflict as a conflict of two civilizations, whose borders pass via the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. However, the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict appeared at times, when there was no religious self-conscience among Armenians and among us.

- Armenia attempt to bring the Muslim world to its side in Nagorno Karabakh issue, especially the Organization of Islamic Conference. A number of Muslim states, including Syria, Lebanon, Iran and others openly support Armenia. How successful is Armenia in its policy in the said issue?

- Armenia tries to gain sympathies of the Muslim world in the Karabakh issue by two ways. First, to bring to its side such political institutions as OIC and second, the community of the Muslim countries. Yes, a number of Muslim countries, especially Syria and Lebanon are cooperating with Armenia, which is connected with a strong Armenian lobby in these countries. I was personally a witness of publication of a book in Arabian language in Lebanon by Armenians, where Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was compared with the Arabian-Israli one. In this book, Azerbaijan and Israel were presented as aggressors, speaking against the Islamic world and Armenia and Arabian world as allies. Armenia also tries to join the Islamic political organizations, especially to become an observer under OIC.

Fortunately, Yerevan's attempt were unlucky owing to the Azerbaijani diplomacy. OIC supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, recognizing Armenia's aggression. Unfortunately, some member states of OIC come our with different positions in Nagorno Karabakh issue in the framework of other international organizations.

/Day.Az/