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Californian political analyst: U.S. needs friends like Azerbaijan

11 June 2007 09:54 (UTC +04:00)

He reminded that Los Angeles, alone, is the 9th largest economy in the world.
â€œCalifornia is also a very significant concentration of American political power. It is imperative that Azerbaijan maintain a presence in California and continually enhance that presence. The opportunities to build close business and political relationships have the potential to be very helpful to Azerbaijan economically and even in terms of bilateral relationship with the U.S,â€ he said.
Mr.Katz also stated that other Diasporas like Jewish, Spanish, Russian, Turkish can cooperate with Azerbaijani community.
â€œBecause California has such a rich diversity of people, in terms of nationality, ethnicity, religion, etc., Azerbaijanis are well accepted. They are not looked upon as outsiders. Other Diasporas are very helpful in the promotion of Azerbaijan and furthering her relationship with the U.S. The Jewish community, in particular, is helpful to Azerbaijan. The fact that Azerbaijan is a secular Muslim nation who has diplomatic relations with Israel and also has a 2,500 year old Jewish community makes for an easy and close relationship. I met the Consul General in Los Angeles, Elin Suleymanov, through the Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan,â€ he said.
The Californian analytic also replied to the question regarding the people in the executive and legislative branches of power in California do not want to work with Azerbaijanis.
â€œIt is true that there are those in the executive and Legislative branches of California and U.S. Federal government who do not respond well to Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, Americans can sometimes have a dim and incorrect view of Muslims. This is sometimes learned from incomplete news reporting and on occasion learned from other ethnic groups.
However, I have seen it time and again that once Americans get to know Azerbaijanis, they begin to see real synergy between the two peoples and many common goals. The reality is that there are many similarities between the two nations. I saw that very clearly when I was in Baku last week. Baku is an increasingly modern and cosmopolitan city, full of people who are Western in dress and conduct and friendly. I am a Jew and I walked the streets of this Muslim nation and feel completely at home,â€ he said.
Katz reminding that 4 Azeri NGOs are operating in all California stated that he regard necessity of being united under one umbrella.
â€œI do think that the NGOâ€™s should rally around one banner. I believe that it would have the virtue of bringing more influence to â€œthe tableâ€™ at one time. I also believe that one of the main goals of the NGOs should be business development and political activity. I know that two of the Consulateâ€™s major focuses are relationships with elected officials and business leaders. The NGOs working under one umbrella, coupled with the significant foot print the Consulate has already established would enhance the profile of Azerbaijan in great measure. My advice to the Azerbaijani Diaspora community as they begin to build a structure is too be involved in the greater community, politics and policy of their respective city, state or region. I would also strongly suggest that these leaders study other successful organized communities. The Jewish community for instance has a vast communal structure. In Greater Los Angeles alone, there is a Jewish organization for nearly everything - the Anti Defamation League is the Jewish leader in community relations and government relations - the Jewish Federation helps to raise funds to run a vast network of social service organizations and the American Jewish Committee does research into a myriad of important issues and promotes democratic values all over the world,â€ he said.
The analyst also spoke about the impression he got in Azerbaijan.
â€œThe purpose of my trip to Azerbaijan was to attend the Tolerance in the Media Conference and for various meetings with government officials. I must say that it was a fascinating experience. The people of Azerbaijan are warn, friendly and good people.
I was struck by Baku and its vibrancy. The amount of building taking place is wonderfully staggering. Recently, I had a conversation with an American elected official who commented that one can gauge the heath and well being of a city by how many construction cranes one sees. If that is an indication, Azerbaijan is, indeed, healthy.
I was also struck by the fact that Azerbaijan is taking such a leadership role in the region by helping its neighbors, moderating disagreements, etc. I also saw an oil rich nation whose people at the bottom rung of society benefit from the oil revenue, too. I met with many Ministers and MPs and was repeatedly impressed with their dedication to their country and countrymen. From an Americanâ€™s point of view, Azerbaijan should continue to enhance her relationship with the U.S. and to make a concerted effort to grow closer politically, economically and diplomatically. The U.S. needs friends like Azerbaijan,â€ he underlined. /APA/