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Nazim Ibrahimov: I am not satisfied with the idea of inactivity of Azerbaijani Diaspora

29 December 2006 14:23 (UTC +04:00)

The chief of State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad Nazim Ibrahimovâ€™s interview to APA

- Are you satisfied with the present situation of Azerbaijani Diasporas?
- Azerbaijani Diasporas are developing rapidly. We have not thought about so dynamic development of the Diasporas. President Ilham Aliyevâ€™s special care created turning point in the development of our Diasporas. Now we should prefer to strengthen lobbyism and to choose the tactics of attacking using our solidarity. We have begun to work on it. Azerbaijan has always had Diaspora. If Azerbaijani citizen lives abroad, it means our Diaspora exists.
- How would you estimate the power of the Diaspora?
- Every Diaspora has its history and it has subjective and objective factors. We have begun to work with our Diasporas recently. At the same time I do not agree with the idea of the inactivity of Diasporas. Our national self-esteem does not lag behind, but goes forward. Some forces tried to make Azerbaijanis forget national back-ground. Azerbaijanis living abroad establish their organizations and strengthen. And it means that Azerbaijani Diaspora is strong. In future we will be able to say that Azerbaijani Diaspora is the strongest Diaspora of the world.
- You are speaking about the power of Azerbaijani Diaspora, but we do not observe real solidarity.
- When Heydar Aliyev returned from Moscow, I asked him whether the growth of industrial potential of some USSR countries depend on leadership or there is another reason. He retold me an interesting event. He noted that, USSR Political Bureau raised some issues to take Air-conditioner Plant to Baku. But this plant was built in Ukraine. Actually not leadership of Ukraine, but the leadership of the union realized it. If we compare the activity of the Diaspora with this event, we can say that Armenian Diasporas do not have their own power. On the other hand there is another factor. Some forces are for Armenians in information war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We should struggle to make world believe that we are just. Though there are no Armenian Diasporas in some countries of the world, they are supported. It means when we say that Armenian Diaspora is stronger, every-one should understand that it is not their power. Azerbaijan remained under occupation of other empires and states for centuries and our compatriots lived in different social structures. Therefore there is difference in mentality. Sometimes it impedes our solidarity.
- The information was spread that an Armenian living abroad transferred $120m to Armenian state budget. Why donâ€™t we observe these facts in our country?
- We have not reached this stage yet. Our aim is to help strengthen the Diaspora in the countries where Azerbaijanis live. You know that there are strong Armenian businessmen in the worldâ€¦
- But there are strong Azerbaijani businessmen in the world too.
- We are different from Armeniaâ€¦ I think that Azerbaijanâ€™s economy is developing rapidly and our financial sources are enough to provide the country. We intend to help most Azerbaijani organizations in the world to strengthen. A day will come when rich Azerbaijanis will define what spheres need help. But now we have no intention to ask somebody for help.
- Several Diaspora organizations have separated recently, and in most cases the committee you lead was said to be the cause of it.
- Azerbaijani governmentâ€™s care and attention on Diasporasâ€™ activity caused fight for the leadership in a number of Diaspora organizations. There is no controversy in Diaspora organizations. Even separated organizations unite around Azerbaijan. They can not agree on the problem leadership.
- What about people leaving Azerbaijan and coming to the country?
- Most of the people left Azerbaijan repent. Most of the emigrants have returned. We get a lot of letters from Azerbaijanis living abroad. The majority of them want to return to the country.
- How many Azerbaijani organizations are there in the world?
- Over 300.
- Where is our strongest Diaspora?
- I do not want to answer. Most of our Diaspora Organizations are working hard.
- When Ramil Safarov murdered Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan, your approach to the case was not welcomed. You said that his actions were not heroic and it was against Azerbaijan. Later you realized several programs in the direction of recognition of Azerbaijan in Hungary. What were the results of it?
- We did much. We have never made idle statements. Those who want to form their policy on Ramil Safarovâ€™s actions are wrong. Ramil Safarovâ€™s actions had a negative influence on the international image of Azerbaijan.
- But some think that this incident had positive featuresâ€¦
- Armenians claim in the international organizations that Azerbaijanis are cut-throat and display facts. I repeat that this incident had a negative influence on Azerbaijan.
- What is the State Committee established on the struggle against illegal migrants in Russia doing?
- There is nothing to worry. Corresponding bodies of both countries are working on it. We try to solve the problem quietly. Azerbaijan state supports every Azerbaijani. /APA/