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Ankara-Baku-Jerusalem relations have substantial potential: executive director of American Jewish Committee

Politics Materials 28 September 2009 12:28 (UTC +04:00)
Executive Director at American Jewish Committee (AJC), David Harris, spoke with Trend News in an exclusive interview.
Ankara-Baku-Jerusalem relations have substantial potential: executive director of American Jewish Committee

The United States, New York, Sept. 28 / Trend , K.Pashayeva/

Executive Director at American Jewish Committee (AJC), David Harris, spoke with Trend in an exclusive interview.

Trend : Azerbaijan is one of the two Muslim nations that enjoy friendly relations and strategic partnership with Israel. How does this fact reflect on the perceptions of Azerbaijan by Jewish American community?

David Harris:It is quite safe to say that, with such distance between us, Azerbaijan was not well known in the United States until quite recently. This was true for many American Jews as well. That has begun to change, I am pleased to say. Groups like my own, the American Jewish Committee (AJC), have traveled to Baku and shared our experiences with others. Also, the recent visit to Azerbaijan of Israeli President Shimon Peres has increased considerably awareness of the country itself and its imporant role in Israel's life.

Q: In June, the President of Israel Shimon Peres visited Azerbaijan, officially reaffirming the friendship and alliance between our nations. Last week, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev became perhaps the first leader of a Muslim nation greeting Israelis with Rosh Hashannah. Do you think the Jewish and Azerbaijani communities in the U.S. sufficiently share this strong friendship?

A: We certainly took note of President Aliyev's greetings for the Jewish New Year. It was a thoughtful and appreciated gesture. Such a message helps raise consciousness and curiousity about Azerbaijan.

Another vehicle for fostering that process is the community of Jews from Azerbaijan now living in the United States. As they become ever more involved in both American and Jewish life, they will no doubt seek to educate others about Azerbaijan, creating a potentially significant bridge of understanding and friendship. As to other Azerbaijanis living in the United States, I confess that I know too little about their presence and organizational structure.

Q: The centuries of tolerant and prosperous coexistence of Jews and Muslims in Azerbaijan laid the path towards the friendship of Israel and Azerbaijan today. Do you think this model can be taken further as a starting point for a broader intercultural and interfaith dialog in the Middle East?

A: The world needs to learn from successful models of interfaith coexistence and respect. Countries that have achieved harmony among diverse faith and ethnic groups, and that provide full participation and protection to those groups, should share their experiences with others. I believe this to be critical for the future, whether in the Middle East or elsewhere.

Further, in our rapidly globalizing society, where migration is such a key factor, more and more countries, some of which were previously quite homogenous, are confronting the challenge of majority-minority relations. That, of course, includes European countries which in recent years have witnessed emerging Muslim communities.

Q: During the past year, we are observing a certain coolness in Turkish-Israeli relations. How significantly do you think this situation will reflect on the regional strategic alliance of Turkey-Israel-Azerbaijan?

A: For relations to be successful, they must serve the goals of all parties. Strong ties between Azerbaijan and Israel do exactly that. Similarly, relations between Israel and Turkey have been immensely beneficial to both sides.

While more complicated by definition, three-way ties, among Ankara, Baku and Jerusalem in this case, also have substantial potential to help the parties advance their individual and collective objectives, including regional development and security. Yes, there have been some recent difficult issues in Israeli-Turkish relations, but, given the overlapping interests, I hope they will prove to be a passing phenomenon. By the way, I also know that Azerbaijan and Turkey don't see eye-to-eye on every issue. Still, the foundation of friendship remains strong, as it should.

Q: Azerbaijanis are in a protracted conflict with Armenians. Israelis are in a protracted conflict with Palestinians. Without drawing any parallels on the details of these two conflicts, how do you think we can help each other to achieve peace?

A: Four brief observations from my understanding of history that may have relevance to peacemaking, whether in the Middle East or Caucasus. First, peaceful conflict resolution requires political leaders of unusual vision and courage. Second, it also requires heavy doses of patience, persistence and perseverance, since lasting settlements clearly don't happen overnight. Third, the outcome must be seen as a "win" by both sides. Otherwise it only lays the groundwork for future grievance and instability. And fourth, true peace must be built not only with signed agreements, but also by working from the ground up, bringing citizens and institutions into the process to broaden and deepen the constituencies for peace.

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