Policy Statements Caucasus Crisis - 2008 Statement of Public Associations of Azerbaijan About the recognition of independence of separatist formations of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russian Federation August 28, 2008 Baku On-going series: Crisis in the Caucasus - 2008 The Russian / Georgian Conflict and Its Impact on Azerbaijan We, the representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs) of Azerbaijan, like all people of good will throughout the world, are deeply concerned about the news by the Russian Federation in regard to the recognition of independence of separatist states Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This situation took place after the Georgian population was expelled and after there was open military aggression by Russia against sovereign Georgia. We consider this step by Russian officials as a culmination of a plan calculated long ago in regard to annexing parts of territories of the former USSR republics that refused to submit to Russian dictates and which chose the path of independence and integration into the democratic world community. This plan is being implemented persistently. Russian officials justify their actions by the erosion of international law that took place as a result of incidents in Balkans; however, we all have witnessed how since the moment of the collapse of USSR, Russia itself has instigated and stimulated separatist movements along its boundaries. By recognizing the independence of separatist Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Russian government has immensely harmed, first of all its own mislead nation, which instead of being offered laborious work and real governmental reforms, are offered the recipes of success taken from the dark ages-when the happiness of one group of people was exclusively established on enslavement of other people. After the incidents that have taken place in Georgia, none of the former USSR republics will feel safe near the country that openly declares that from time to time it will give bloody lessons to whichever of us would disobey Kremlin's peremptory shout. But worst of all, through its actions, Russia has taken the world to the verge of a new Cold War which will exhaust the planet, consume resources of the countries of the world that are so desperately needed for overcoming growing problems of global development. We appeal to the Russian government to stop the aggression against sovereign Georgia and refuse the destructive imperialistic plans about the enslavement of its neighbors. We urge the direct its exertion to the establishment of values in the country such as persistent constructive labor and cooperation between human beings and peoples. We appeal to the governments associate with democratic community, to the people of goodwill all over the world to demonstrate active solidarity with Georgia's struggle for its sovereignty. We appeal to Azerbaijani government to show all conceivable support to Georgia in such an hour of need. We also urge the Azerbaijani government not to yield to blackmail and intimidations from imperialistic circles of Russia and to continue developing economical and political collaboration with democratic ommunities of the world. We would like to draw the attention of the Azerbaijani government to the fact that the attempt to annex Georgia's soil makes Russia's participation as an impartial arbiter impossiblein the peacemaking process related to the Karabakh conflict. We plead that the civil society of Azerbaijan will demonstrate all kinds of information support to Georgia's resistance against Russian aggression as well as to active participation in gathering recourses for the peaceful Georgian population which has suffered from this aggression. We believe that the age of imperialistic wars and annexation will be past history. In its place, a new age is coming-the age of voluntary cooperation based on mutual interests that will help to solve problems between people and countries, without lies and aggression. Signatures: Rashid Hajili, Mehriban Vezir, Rashaj Huseynov, Co-chairmen Azerbaijani National Committee for Eurointegration Hikmat Hajizade, Vice-President Center for Economic and Political Researches Rasim Musabeyov, Vice-President Center for Economic and Political Researches Sabit Baghirov, President Foundation for Assistance to Entrepreneurship Development Elchin Shikhli, Editor Zerkalo Newspaper Arzu Abdullayeva, Chairman Azerbaijan National Committee of Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Arif Aliyev, Chairman Yeni Nesil (New Generation), Union of Journalists Ilgar Mamedov, political analyst, member Azerbaijani National Committee for Eurointegration Elnur Baimov, Editor Day.az Information Agency Yashar Jafarli, Chairman Reserved and Retired Officers Public Union Ingilab Ahmedov, Director Public Finance Monitoring Center Vahid Gazi, Director Center for Pluralism "Inam" Ruhangiz Huseynova, chairman Women Solidarity Organization Ali Abbasov, political analyst, member Azerbaijani National Committee for Euro-integration Maharram Zulfugarli, chairman Association for Scientific Research Gubad Bayramov, President Center for Economic Research Shahin Hajiyev, Director Najaf Najafov Foundation Mehman Aliyev, Member of the Executive Board of Azerbaijani Press Council Novella Djafaroghlu, Chairman Society of the Protection of Women's Rights in Azerbaijan named after D.Aliyeva, Saadat Bananyarli, Chairperson Azerbaijan National Branch of the International Society for Human Rights Saida Gojamanli, Chairperson Bureau of Defense of Human Rights Annaghi Hajibeyli, President Azerbaijan Lawyers Association Intigam Aliyev, President Legal Education Society Sahib Mammadov, Chairman Labor Rights Protection League Avaz Hasanov, Chairman Society for Humanitarian Researches Rashad Huseynli, Co-chairman Azerbaijani National Committee for Eurointegration Irada Bagirova, Member Azerbaijani National Committee for Eurointegration Yashar Zeynalov, Coordinator Azerbaijani National Committee for Eurointegration Rashad Shirinov, President Azerbaijani Youth Association of Atlantic Treaty Malahat Murshudlu, chairperson Union of Independent Teachers of Azerbaijan Leyla Aliyeva, President National and Strategic Research Center _____ Back to Policy / Statement - Index Back to Crisis in the Caucasus - Index AI Home Page | Magazine Choice | Topics | Store | Contact us