Arminfo.info


 Tuesday, October 3 2017 16:15
David Stepanyan

Avigdor Eskin: Due to referendums in Kurdistan and Catalonia, pressure on Armenia in Karabakh issue may weaken

Avigdor Eskin: Due to referendums in Kurdistan and Catalonia, pressure on Armenia in Karabakh issue may weaken

A well-known Israeli publicist, public figure, political scientist Avigdor Eskin in an interview with ArmInfo discusses the latest developments in world politics, analyzes them in the light of global trends. He also comments on the logic and goals of centrifugal processes in Iraq and Spain. 

 

What are the consequences and threats  of Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran, as countries with a compact Kurdish residence, implementing plans for gaining independence by the Iraqi Kurdistan? 

If these countries recognize Kurdistan and enter into serious negotiations with Erbil on peaceful coexistence, then this will bring universal benefit. Kurds of Turkey, Iran and Syria will have an opportunity to build their country. This can significantly defuse the situation. However, if these countries behave aggressively, this will lead to a war in which they will inevitably lose. Iraqi Kurdistan is de facto independent. They control their own borders and even carry out oil sales themselves. The independence of Kurdistan in the created conditions is simply inevitable. These people were victims of a brutal attack by the Islamic state, by the Arabs. And here is the picture - twenty-two Arab states in the Middle East, now there will be Kurdistan as well. 

 

Almost  all countries of the world, excluding French neutrality, opposed the recent referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan. All except Israel. What is the interest of independent Kurdistan to Jerusalem? 

 I can say that Russia has also taken a neutral and benevolent position. As for Israel, we have been cooperating with the Kurds since the sixties. These are our allies and friends. And Israel does not betray friends. From the first years of its existence, Israel sought to establish friendly contacts with non-Arab nations  of the Middle East. That is why the Kurds in Iraq and the Persians in Iran have become our natural allies. Israel was the first who came to their aid at a time when Saddam Hussein was poisoning them with chemical weapons. It was the Israeli pressure on the US that led to the help of the Kurds. Israel was also the first to assist them in the fight against the IG. And now our relationship looks natural. While Kurds are Kurds, Israel is Israel. Our way of life, of course, is different.

 

 

A few months ago, you expressed an opinion on Israel's interest in establishing relations with Iran, highlighting the changing geopolitical situation in the Greater Middle East as a justification. Is the situation continuing to develop in this vein, or is it already possible to ascertain the change in the vector of its development and, accordingly, the intentions of Jerusalem regarding Tehran? 

 Iran was our ally until 1979. I think there are no rational reasons for the existing hostility today. However, so far the Iranian side is not interested in detente. We expected that after Iran and the Syrian regime collided with Sunni terrorists, they would review their position.

Iran helped the Hamas movement and the Syrian regime too. However, we should not forget that the terrorists of "Hamas" in the course of the war shot in the back to their Syrian benefactors. They are in fact part of the structure of the Muslim Brotherhood. And how great was our surprise when we discovered that Iran had recently resumed financing these terrorists. In this light, while hatred for Israel for Iran is above its own interests, I have to remain pessimistic. 

 

The arrest and imprisonment of an Israeli citizen in the Baku prison showed the presence of certain underwater reefs in Israel-Azerbaijan relations. Describe the state of these relations for today, in your opinion. 

 Israel helped to liberate its citizen. This was an example of effective and noble behavior on the part of the state. Considering that the aforementioned citizen wrote many bad things about Israel. We do not have full diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan. There is no embassy in Israel. But there is wide cooperation between us: Israel sells weapons to Baku and buys oil. The position of Azerbaijan is unacceptable to me personally. They tell us that they are not ready to open the embassy until we create a Palestinian state. This is an unheard of insult! We do not demand from them urgently to create a state for Kurds, for Talysh or for Armenians ... But I understand the government of Israel. This is business, as with Turkey. Although friendship with them did not work. I think that they lose more from this than we do. 

 

After a recent visit to Transnistria, you proposed your own model of relations between this unrecognized republic and Moldova. Is this model, in your opinion, suitable for the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh? 

No, Transnistria and Karabakh are not alike. Transnistria has a quarter of a century as an independent entity. Karabakh aspires to become a part of Armenia. There is a completely different situation. After the solution of the Karabakh problem is found, part of Karabakh will join Armenia de jure. And Transnistria can in fact exist further as an independent entity. At the same time, I can assume that pressure on Armenia in the Karabakh issue may weaken due to referendums in Kurdistan and Catalonia. The principle of inviolability of borders becomes less significant. But legally and politically for Karabakh, unequivocally, there will be a different solution than for Transnistria.

 

 

Assess the reaction of the Spanish authorities to the Catalan referendum on secession from Spain. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has already stated that "there was no referendum on Catalonia's independence." Do not you think that ignoring the opinion of 90% of voted Catalans creates a threat to European liberalism? 

 

I hope  that the authorities in Madrid are doing everything today to make the separatist forces even stronger. We can already say that they lost both on the street and in the media space. And most importantly, while demonstrating unjustified rudeness and cruelty. In other words, they aroused a burning discontent, while not preventing a referendum. At a minimum, this indicates that in many European countries the existing system can withstand serious tests is practically incapable.

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Professional training of Police Guards officers enters new stage Professional training of Police Guards officers enters new stage 
Armenia`s defense minister chairs MOD Board meetingArmenia`s defense minister chairs MOD Board meeting
Land adjacent to Yerevan`s TV tower returned to public Land adjacent to Yerevan`s TV tower returned to public 
Armenian FM to visit China Armenian FM to visit China 
ARF reacts to terrorist attack on Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus ARF reacts to terrorist attack on Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus 
Ex-official on actions in case of penetration of radiation from Iran Ex-official on actions in case of penetration of radiation from Iran 
Armenia, Italy sign memorandum of cooperation in protection of people  with disabilities Armenia, Italy sign memorandum of cooperation in protection of people  with disabilities 
Organization of Islamic Cooperation making territorial claims on  Armenia Organization of Islamic Cooperation making territorial claims on  Armenia 
Armenia`s authorities destroyed state`s external security - Samvel  KarapetyanArmenia`s authorities destroyed state`s external security - Samvel  Karapetyan
It is up to Armenia to decide on CSTO membership - RF Deputy FMIt is up to Armenia to decide on CSTO membership - RF Deputy FM
Armenia`s premier `cannot be premier of all Armenians` Armenia`s premier `cannot be premier of all Armenians` 
Armenian FM, vice-president of European Commission hold telephone  talk Armenian FM, vice-president of European Commission hold telephone  talk 
Armenia`s premier invites Turkish president to Armenia next spring Armenia`s premier invites Turkish president to Armenia next spring 
Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan issues statementArmenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan issues statement
Turkiye to do its best for regional stability - Recep Erdogan Turkiye to do its best for regional stability - Recep Erdogan 
 Mimino Armenian-Georgian festival to start in Dilijan for the third  time Mimino Armenian-Georgian festival to start in Dilijan for the third  time
Armenian Bar Association: Only 40% of Ombudsman Strategy actions  fully implementedArmenian Bar Association: Only 40% of Ombudsman Strategy actions  fully implemented
Prime Minister of Armenia visits Armenian Surb Astvatsatsin Church  and Blue Mosque in IstanbulPrime Minister of Armenia visits Armenian Surb Astvatsatsin Church  and Blue Mosque in Istanbul
Meeting between Armenian Prime Minister and Turkish President kicks  off  in IstanbulMeeting between Armenian Prime Minister and Turkish President kicks  off  in Istanbul
Pashinyan plans to invite Erdogan to Armenia - AgosPashinyan plans to invite Erdogan to Armenia - Agos
Armenia`s Prime Minister presents goals of his visit to Armenian  community in TurkeyArmenia`s Prime Minister presents goals of his visit to Armenian  community in Turkey
Arrests of opposition figures in ArmeniaArrests of opposition figures in Armenia
Armenian MFA posted on World Refugee Day without mentioning Artsakh  people Armenian MFA posted on World Refugee Day without mentioning Artsakh  people 
Karapetyan was unlawfully detained by a decision of a judge unknown  to the professional community - StatementKarapetyan was unlawfully detained by a decision of a judge unknown  to the professional community - Statement
Oppositionist: The desires of Armenian authorities  are one thing,  while  the expectations of  Azerbaijani- Turkish tandem are quite  anotherOppositionist: The desires of Armenian authorities  are one thing,  while  the expectations of  Azerbaijani- Turkish tandem are quite  another
Oppositionist: Armenian authorities arrested Karapetyan  to prevent  public mobilization around the ChurchOppositionist: Armenian authorities arrested Karapetyan  to prevent  public mobilization around the Church
UK MPs support Swiss peace initiative on Nagorno-KarabakhUK MPs support Swiss peace initiative on Nagorno-Karabakh
Kremlin: Russia  closely following the case of businessman Samvel  KarapetyanKremlin: Russia  closely following the case of businessman Samvel  Karapetyan
Samvel Karapetyan`s defense team appeals court`s  decision Samvel Karapetyan`s defense team appeals court`s  decision 
Ruling party MP on  Samvel Karapetyan`s detention: States should not  interfere in each other`s affairs stateRuling party MP on  Samvel Karapetyan`s detention: States should not  interfere in each other`s affairs state
European Court completed executive supervisory procedures of  decisions in 7 judgements against ArmeniaEuropean Court completed executive supervisory procedures of  decisions in 7 judgements against Armenia
Relatives of missing servicemen block Baghramyan Avenue for third day Relatives of missing servicemen block Baghramyan Avenue for third day 
Polish parliamentary delegation arrives in ArmeniaPolish parliamentary delegation arrives in Armenia
Ankara in control of Armenia-Turkiye `normalization` - Russian expert Ankara in control of Armenia-Turkiye `normalization` - Russian expert 
Armenian government to sponsor transportation of humanitarian cargo  to Syria Armenian government to sponsor transportation of humanitarian cargo  to Syria 
Armenian government approves program to support vulnerable familiesArmenian government approves program to support vulnerable families
Electric Networks Armenia CJSC team expresses its full support to  Samvel KarapetyanElectric Networks Armenia CJSC team expresses its full support to  Samvel Karapetyan
Armenia`s premier arrived in Turkey for working visitArmenia`s premier arrived in Turkey for working visit
Azerbaijani forces shoot at Nerkin Khand village in Armenia`s Syunik Azerbaijani forces shoot at Nerkin Khand village in Armenia`s Syunik 
Principal Conductor of State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia supports  businessman Samvel KarapetyanPrincipal Conductor of State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia supports  businessman Samvel Karapetyan
ID issue delays in past - RA Ministry of Interior ID issue delays in past - RA Ministry of Interior 
Team to protect Artsakh Armenians` rights formed in Abovyan Team to protect Artsakh Armenians` rights formed in Abovyan 
Jury of context program of Golden Apricot festival named Jury of context program of Golden Apricot festival named 
Georgian embassy in Iran advises Georgian nationals to leave Iran via  Armenia Georgian embassy in Iran advises Georgian nationals to leave Iran via  Armenia 
Robert Kocharyan: We are rapidly sliding towards a total dictatorshipRobert Kocharyan: We are rapidly sliding towards a total dictatorship
Arayik Harutyunyan: the settlement of issues between Yerevan and  Tbilisi is taking place in an atmosphere of partnershipArayik Harutyunyan: the settlement of issues between Yerevan and  Tbilisi is taking place in an atmosphere of partnership
Expert on  consequences of ENA nationalization for Armenia: Capital  outflow, loss of investment attractiveness, economic isolation and  many moreExpert on  consequences of ENA nationalization for Armenia: Capital  outflow, loss of investment attractiveness, economic isolation and  many more
IDBank and Henley & Partners Successfully Held the “Invest Beyond Borders: Global Mobility & Private Banking” Event in YerevanIDBank and Henley & Partners Successfully Held the “Invest Beyond Borders: Global Mobility & Private Banking” Event in Yerevan
Artak Zeynalyan elected as judge of Constitutional CourtArtak Zeynalyan elected as judge of Constitutional Court
Golden Apricot  announces the name of its first guest of honorGolden Apricot  announces the name of its first guest of honor
Zakharova: The big question is whether Armenia is truly wanted in the  EU Zakharova: The big question is whether Armenia is truly wanted in the  EU 
Artsakh Parliament Speaker: Repressions against Samvel Karapetyan are  a continuation of the policy targeting national valuesArtsakh Parliament Speaker: Repressions against Samvel Karapetyan are  a continuation of the policy targeting national values
Zakharova: Approximately 550 Russians evacuated from Iran to Armenia  and Azerbaijan by landZakharova: Approximately 550 Russians evacuated from Iran to Armenia  and Azerbaijan by land
AraratBank holds Annual  General Meeting of Shareholders AraratBank holds Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Civil Contract Deputy: Pashinyan- Erdogan meeting  agenda includes  settlement of Armenian-Turkish relationsCivil Contract Deputy: Pashinyan- Erdogan meeting  agenda includes  settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations
Pashinyan: We have not lost Nagorno-Karabakh, we have found the  Republic of ArmeniaPashinyan: We have not lost Nagorno-Karabakh, we have found the  Republic of Armenia
RA Defense Ministry Delegation  participates in air show in La  BourgetRA Defense Ministry Delegation  participates in air show in La  Bourget
Pashinyan has firmly taken the path of Ukraine and Moldova: Russian  political scientistPashinyan has firmly taken the path of Ukraine and Moldova: Russian  political scientist
Armenia`s premier on becoming full-fledged premier Armenia`s premier on becoming full-fledged premier 
Keron Foundation to National Philharmonic with recruitment of  musiciansKeron Foundation to National Philharmonic with recruitment of  musicians
Read more



Commented