Prime Minister Arthur Razi-Zade says Azerbaijan stands firmly with the West
But America’s policy regarding his country is one of ‘double standard’

In a wide-ranging interview, Prime Minister Arthur Razi-Zade discusses Azerbaijan's relations with the United States, and his nation’s steady progress since regaining its independence in 1991. Excerpts from that interview:

Prime Minister Arthur Razi-Zade

"We want our relations and our record to be described from the point of view of justice. The Armenian lobby (in America) has a strong influence in the Congress, so we need to describe the reality of Azerbaijan. Let us begin by looking at some aspects of democracy in America and in Azerbaijan.

"The Congress largely supports the Armenians. Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act was passed against us. But we are the ones with 20 percent of our territory occupied. We are the ones with one million refugees.

"I have made three visits to the United States recently. During those visits, I spoke to some Congressmen and Senators, among whom were members of the Armenian Caucus. By the means of maps and documents, I proved to them who was the aggressor, and who was the victim. They responded that since their supporters were Armenians, they represented Armenians in the House and Senate. Therefore, they said, we will never repeal Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. I do not understand why the Congress cannot see who is the real aggressor.

"I spoke twice with (then) Vice President Al Gore. He told me that the American political structure is such that 907 can't be changed! Such a statement does not sound like real democracy to us. We are not in a pharmacy waiting for the prescription for democracy.

The democratic process
"Democracy is a constant process, a permanent process. This was true in America in the 1960s, during the days when black Americans weren't allowed in schools, or on buses. It is true in Azerbaijan after only 10 years of independence.

"You must look at what we began with, and where we are now. We have four government newspapers. But we also have 400 independent and opposition newspapers, radio and television stations!

"We have close relationships with Europe and the world. If we were not democratic, would we have been accepted in the Council of Europe?

"Again, you must look at the direction in which we are headed, and at what our target is. We can't do it all in one day. We have, however, re-established political and social stability. Without that stability, we could not develop our economy. Although Armenians occupy 20 percent of our territory and a million refugees are suffering, we are nevertheless in transition to full democracy and a full market economy.

"Look at history - we were 70 years under the communist system. We have only been independent for a decade. With the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev, we have achieved stability. We have begun to apply economic reforms. We achieved a cease-fire that ended the war with Armenia. We stopped the groups that would have destroyed our democracy.

"Yes, we still do have some problems. But where are we now? What distance have we traveled?

Human rights
"You say that some accuse us of not respecting human rights. The Armenians violated the human rights of one million Azerbaijani people, yet Armenia was accepted to the Council of Europe - again, doesn't that sound like two different standards?

"The Armenians use everything they can against us. They even claim there are no refugees in Azerbaijan. Yet, here in Azerbaijan we have international organizations such as the UNHCR, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, and several humanitarian organizations from leading countries. If there are no refugees, then why are the international and non-governmental relief organizations all here?

"Let me give you an example of the territorial ambition of Armenia. Last year, in Hanover, Germany, there was the global Exposition 2000 exhibition. Armenia sponsored a pavilion there. People who went into the Armenian booth saw a map showing Armenia stretching from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. This is the policy they are making today.

"The Armenians annually get about $100 million in official US government support. We get nothing on the official level, although we do get some humanitarian support. Yet, we have invited the US oil companies to explore for oil in our territory. We have joined NATO's Partnership for Peace Program. Some large states in the region don't like the choices we have made. But that is Azerbaijan's orientation. Those are our choices.

Invitation to America
"My plea to the Congress is to look at everything through the eyes of justice, to support only justice, to carry out policies based on justice. Take steps based on a just policy. It's not too late.

"Our borders are open for foreign investors and commercial ties. We want as much foreign investment as possible in the oil and non-oil sectors of our economy. From the point of view of our existing legislation, we have created the conditions for foreign investment opportunities.

"We are interested in the oil and gas sector, of course, but we are more interested in the non-oil sector. We have investment opportunities in the machine industry, metal plating, food processing, light industry, chemistry, agricultural products and food processing. These are all fields in which we have a good starting point for investment. We invite American investors to look at what Azerbaijan offers."