Oleg Kusov exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Nagorno-Karabakh is well known for its forests, beautiful nature, mountains, springs, rivers. It is a victim of ambitions of politicians who think destructively. As the result of the war, prosperous towns and villages were ruined, while the Armenians and the Azerbaijanis who used to be neighbors remain in conflict. Those who started the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict didn’t protect the interests of the Armenian nation; the war took them to power in Armenia; and the results of their policies are the economic decline in the country. The support received from the Diaspora and leading countries of the world (the USA, France, Russia) is not taken by the people, but politicians continue earning money due to the tragedy of the Armenian nation.
More than a million of Azerbaijanis has to abandon their homes 20 years ago; and they dream about returning home. But they are forbidden to do it. At the same time, the current illegal authorities of Karabakh are glad to invite foreign cultural activists who have no idea about problems in the region. Unfortunately, they are supported by some politicians and journalists, probably not for free.
Several years ago the head of the Institute of the CIS Countries, Konstantin Zatulin, was included into the list of personas non grata in Azerbaijan. Last week Zatulin made several ambiguous statements on the topic in an interview. It surprised many people. Journalist Oleg Kusov commented on the situation for Vestnik Kavkaza
Any country has a right to make lists of personas non grata. It is required by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961). According to the international practice, not only diplomats can be undesired persons, but any foreigners. A country as a scaled prototype of a family doesn’t want to see a certain person at its place. The person can visit other families where he is desired. Why should I complain, if some family decides that I am an undesired person at its home? The family has different guests, I have different houses where I am respected and welcomed. And I won’t give an irate interview, like Konstantin Zatulin.
I am against any blacklists. All people should have an opportunity to come to the country, for them to see its economic and spiritual breakthroughs. I saw it, when I came to Baku not long time ago, as well as to regions which used to be abandoned. In the small town of Qabala you suddenly see five-star hotels, the fabric of Beltmann pianos, the canning factory, the sporting complex where the local football team is trained by Yuri Semin, the international airport, the entertaining part for children… I come to Azerbaijan for positive emotions.
I don’t say that in other regions of the Caucasus life is difficult and futureless. But I stress that the socio-economic and spiritual breakthrough of Azerbaijan is amazing. It is a pity that Mr. Zatulin cannot see the most economically successful state of the CIS in the near future. Probably, he doesn’t want. I saw a contradiction in words of Mr. Zatulin in his interview on August 3. At first the head of the Institute of the CIS Countries says: “I believe it is a great achievement that the democratic process exists in the unrecognized republic (Nagorno-Karabakh).” In the end of the interview he confesses: “Armenians… captured several regions of Azerbaijan, beyond Nagorno-Karabakh.” “The democratic process” and “captured several regions of Azerbaijan…” – the words don’t match each other.
Nothing can be captured in the Caucasus! Even stones in mountains have memory. Unfairness doesn’t live long among them.
