Source: PanArmenian.net
Azerbaijan’s
Milli Mejlis held debates on amending the Constitution and renaming the
country into the Republic of Northern Azerbaijan, a Russian expert
says.
“Supporters
of this idea insist that today’s Azerbaijan is just a part of the
Azerbaijani state that used to exist before and was divided by Russia
and Iran in the 19th century; they claim two thirds of this state still
remain within Iran’s territory, and this is historic injustice,”
said Alexander Krylov, chairman of the Scientific Society of Caucasian
studies experts, leading research scientist of the Institute of World
Economy and International Relations according to Analitika.at.ua.
“Apparently,
Tehran views such statement as a bellicose action and a direct
challenge to Iran. Debates in Azerbaijan’s Milli Mejlis further
complicated the tensions between the neighbouring countries. Baku blames
Iranian government for activities undermining Azerbaijani state, in
particular, through the Turkic-language Iranian 2A TV channel,” the
expert said.
“Azerbaijan’s
authorities and politicians are particularly indignant over the
channel’s claims regarding Azerbaijani statehood being groundless, and
Azerbaijan being a historic part of Iran. Activists of Azerbaijan’s
Islamic party charged with subversive activities against Azerbaijan in
favor of Iran were arrested recently in Azerbaijan.
So,
a question emerges: how far can this conflict extend? In terms of
legislation, renaming of a country requires amending the Constitution;
to do this, majority of Azerbaijan’s citizens should vote for it during a
nationwide referendum. So far, nothing is said about a referendum.
Therefore, the problem is not the renaming of Azerbaijan but something
else. Obviously, Baku uses development of this issue as a lever of
political pressure on Iranian government and as a method of solving its
own domestic problems,” Krylov said.
According
to the expert, in case of a military resolution of the Iranian issue
the U.S. and Israeli politicians are insisting on for many years,
Azerbaijan’s territory may be used for striking Iran.
“In
this case, the current propaganda against Iran is likely to be a part
of preparation for this scenario. U.S. may attempt to use Azerbaijan as a
new version of Afghan “Northern Alliance”; also, in case of large-scale
changes in the borders and establishment of new countries in the
regions (i.e. Kurdistan), Azerbaijan may receive vast territories,” the
Russian expert stated.
