World Economic Forum: The Less Famous Angry Guy
Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan and Israel’s President Peres were not the only ones to show anger at the Davos World Economic Forum on January 29, 2009. Radio Free Europe details an earlier “outburst” by Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev at a conference that morning attended by Erdogan:
Aliyev Following Erdogan’s Lead?
[…]
And when Aliyev was asked optimistically if Davos 2009 might be the first step toward establishing formal diplomatic ties between Baku and Yerevan, Azerbaijan’s president rejected the suggestion.
Aliyev said his country does not have relations with Armenia because of the “continued occupation of our territory by Armenian armed forces,” though negotiations continue.
“But unfortunately, as Prime Minister Erdogan said, for the last 17 years these negotiations did not lead to a resolution of the conflict. It did not lead to a peace agreement and it did not lead to the liberation of Azerbaijani territory — the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan,” Aliyev said.
“Under these circumstances, of course, we cannot talk about any kind of cooperation — whether it is energy or transportation. And [as long as] our lands are under occupation, this cooperation is not possible.”
Taken together, the January 29 events at Davos demonstrate more than just the failure of the forum to bring together uneasy adversaries. The angry exchange between Peres and Erdogan shows that public debate between government leaders at Davos also can damage bilateral relations between two countries considered allies.
And Aliyev’s outburst suggests his country is ready to adopt the tone set by its regional mentor, Ankara.
Actually, Aliyev was the first one to set an angry tone, not Erdogan.
Jason Katz on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:38 am #
Dear Sir,
I followed the meetings at Davos with great interest. In particularly enjoy the web/blog world’s commentary on the conference. You are part of an important new information source and media community.
I saw the entire session to which you refer in your article and I must point out that your characterization of Ilham Aliyev as angry was completely out of line and patently inaccurate. In fact, I was glad to see a president who stated his nation’s case, economic realities and political realities in a nuanced and balanced manner. I cannot see how Mr. Aliyev could have been seen as angry.
I know of some of the issues associated with Armenia’s relations with Azerbaijan. Perhaps it was Mr. Aliyev’s response to the Armenian Foreign Minister (I cannot remember his name) that caused you to become angry and see anger in him. If memory serves, that part of the discussion had to do with the fact that Armenia has not shared in the advancement, wealth, democracy and Westernism seen by the rest of that region. Again, if memory serves, this is associated with lands belonging to Azerbaijan that are occupied by Armenia.
Sir, I must say that it would seem to behoove Armenia to give back that land in order to be welcomed into the neighborhood, so to speak. It was pretty clear from the session at Davos that Armenia will not have any pipeline run through it if these lands are not returned. It looks to me like Armenia is playing a losing game with Azerbaijan. They have the upper hand – the Western relationships and the energy commodities, the stature and a real future. It looks to me like Armenia’s future is very much dependent of Azerbaijan.
But this is not the reason for my response to you.
The web/blog world is an important emerging media. It is also a media with many critics, mostly associated with erroneous reporting and factual inaccuracies. Sir, please do yourself and your colleagues the favor of not proving their critics right. Simply, please, report accurately. Leave your personal political agenda out of your reporting.
Thank you for your time and interest.
Ani on 10 Feb 2009 at 7:33 pm #
Dear Jason,
Memory does not serve, you at least. And fools rush in where angels fear to tread–if you want to comment on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, you should actually inform yourself first.
Raffi on 10 Feb 2009 at 8:08 pm #
Hi Jason, I can’t resist replying to you, since I was rather amused by your response. Armenia should give Karabakh back? It has not shared in the democracy of Azerbaijan? That’s rich. And as for economic progress, do you realize Armenia has had double digit economic grow for about a decade? Explain to me how subjecting the Karabakh Armenians to a people and government that were happy to let Armenians get massacred in the streets of Sumgait and Baku 18 years ago, that still won’t let in American citizens with “ian” last names, and hates Armenians so much, they turned a site of stunning Armenian tombstones (khachkars) in Jugha into gravel. A site which should have been turned into a UNESCO site, and which would have been the biggest tourist draw in Nakhichevan. You think Armenians should return Karabakh to people who hate them that much, eh? Nice. But that wasn’t what your note was about, you say?
Forgive me if I don’t believe you. I think you must have one heck of an agenda to be posting a note like that on an Armenian blog, and signing it Jason Katz 🙂
barbaros on 12 Feb 2009 at 12:08 am #
Double digit growth? That explains why Armenians are flocking to Turkey for a better life. Armenia is the Mexico of the Caucasus. I am sick and tired of Armenians flocking to Turkey. Today there is around 70,000 to 100,000 illegal Armenians in Turkey. This has got to stop. GO BACK TO ARMENIA.
All you guys do is Armenian to Armenian propaganda.
Aron D on 19 Feb 2009 at 11:13 am #
Both countries(Az. and Ar) have many similarities:
Corruption, Lack of human rights, Soviet mentality, Bogus elections, and chauvanism on the side of the population.
Now, I would advise bothsocities should overcome the above syndromes before peace can be established between the two nations. I saw educated Armenians and Azerbaijanis who know better but stil defending Kocharian and Aliev who are both corrupt idiots.
Wake up people, Admiting comes before solving the problem