Azerbaijani interest of Kazakhstan opposition

By IAC of the MSU

If we analyze Azerbaijani and Kazakhstani segments of the FB, we will see an informal alliance of opposition activists of the two countries, which is based on an anti-Russian and anti-Eurasian platform. The deputy director of the IAC MSU, Andrei Karpov, discusses the problem.

-          Is there an opposition alliance in reality?

-          It depends on the interpretation of the word “alliance.” There are two newsmakers – the meeting between Vladimir Putin and the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the issue of Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union. If we put aside the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the Kazakhstan opposition is interested in one question only – how the situation in the South Caucasus can influence the role and opportunities of Russia in the geostrategic region – Central Asia + the Caspian Region + the South Caucasus. The rest – speeches about a “Turkic brotherhood”, a “common past” – are sweet nothings which hide the obvious fact.

-          Does the fact that some Kazakhstani net resources have begun to repost materials by some radical Azerbaijani resources intensively mean that there is certain coordination of activities of the two countries?

-          I don't think it means anything. To cite various internet journals is to simplify the situation. The difference between pro-government and opposition periodicals is very dim in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan for certain reasons. The mass media publishes various materials. And the fact that the views of Kazakh nationalist patriots are demanded by quite serious Azerbaijani resources doesn’t mean that the resources have this or that position toward Russia.

If we speak about the interests of Azerbaijani journalists, the reason for publishing such materials is clear. The interview contains criticism of the idea of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Union, criticism of the CU and of the membership of Armenia in the CSTO. From the point of view of the editorial, it is enough to publish the material. The rest of thebnegative discussions on Russia and Vladimir Putin by “leading Kazakhstani experts and social activists” are not so important for the Azerbaijani audience. People will read only two paragraphs of the three-page interview.

The key words are spoken by experts who seem to represent “the position of the country” which is an initiator of the Eurasian project. The fact that this position has nothing in common with the real official position (except for the problem of Armenian customs borders) is not significant for Azerbaijani journalists.

This is the only motivation. You cannot see such materials in Trend or Azertadj. In Kazakhstan all pro-governmental resources carefully select materials on policy or leaders of the closest partners. This is an official position.