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ANKARA: Azeri President Cites Lack Of Multiculturalism As Factor In

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  • ANKARA: Azeri President Cites Lack Of Multiculturalism As Factor In

    AZERI PRESIDENT CITES LACK OF MULTICULTURALISM AS FACTOR IN KARABAKH CONFLICT

    Today's Zaman, Turkey
    May 31 2013

    Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has stated that multiculturalism
    is quite critical for all nations around the world, especially for
    Azerbaijanis who have suffered from ethnic cleansing in the region
    for decades.

    "It is because of problems related to multiculturalism that
    Azerbaijani territories are under occupation [by neighboring country
    Armenia]. A practice of ethnic cleansing has been carried out on our
    nation for more than 20 years. Azerbaijanis have been driven out of
    their own territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent
    territories. The religious sites and historic heritage of Azerbaijanis
    have been destroyed. Reports by the Organization for Security and
    Co-operation in Europe's [OSCE] fact finding mission confirms that all
    monuments and infrastructure in occupied Azerbaijani territories were
    destroyed by Armenian armed forces," Aliyev said on Thursday during the
    opening ceremony of the second World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue,
    which kicked off in the capital city of Baku on May 28-June 1.

    Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a deadly conflict
    over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian-majority enclave inside
    Azerbaijan, for more than two decades. The conflict escalated into
    a full-scale war in the early 1990s when Armenian-backed forces
    under the command of current President Serzh Sarksyan occupied 20
    percent of Azerbaijani territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh and
    seven adjacent territories, killing some 30,000 people. Hundreds of
    thousands fled their homes before a cease-fire was signed in 1994,
    although there is as of yet no peace treaty.

    Expressing his regret that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has yet to
    be solved, Aliyev said that this outrage of justice is still ongoing
    even though the international community is keeping a close eye on a
    peaceful solution to the conflict.

    "International norms do not work with regards to a solution to the
    conflict. The four resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh passed by the
    UN Security Council, which send a clear message for Armenian armed
    forces to withdraw from the occupied territories, have yet to be
    implemented," Aliyev noted, calling for an immediate end to the
    occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

    The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions in 1993 -- 822, 853,
    874 and 884 -- urging the parties concerned to comply with them, in
    particular by refraining from any armed hostilities and by withdrawing
    military forces from any occupied territories. But Armenia has thus
    far refused to withdraw its troops from the occupied lands.

    "Armenia does not attach any importance to these resolutions;
    the occupation and injustice is still ongoing. A solution to the
    conflict will be an indication of respect for international norms and
    will bring an end to the historic injustice," Aliyev said, adding,
    "Nagorno-Karabakh is a territory of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan must
    regain its territorial integrity."

    Commenting on multiculturalism and developing it further in Azerbaijan,
    Aliyev said that multiculturalism has deep roots in Azerbaijan as
    the country is home to various cultures and religions.

    "The representatives of different cultures and religions live
    together as a family in Azerbaijan," Aliyev noted, adding that
    memories belonging to ethnic minorities and religious sects are
    diligently protected as the country views them as a form of respect
    for its history.

    Noting that there are no substitutes for multiculturalism as the only
    alternatives are discrimination, xenophobia, racism and fascism,
    Aliyev said, "I believe that in the 21st century the international
    community needs to vigorously combat such negative phenomena."

    Believing that there are many great opportunities to further develop
    and strengthen multiculturalism across the world, Aliyev said that
    the world needed political willingness to strive for multiculturalism.

    Calling on the international community and humanity to be more active
    to put an end to such unpleasant problems, Aliyev also believed
    that the second World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is a great
    contribution to the development of dialogue, tolerance, diversity
    and multiculturalism.

    "The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue which is held in Azerbaijan
    every two years is a serious and important step on the path to
    developing intercultural dialogue as those who have convened here
    seek a common aim; a successful future of intercultural dialogue,"
    Aliyev said, urging the need to take steps towards ensuring peace in
    the world.

    The forum, which has a theme of "Peaceful Coexistence in a
    Multicultural World," kicked off in Baku on May 28 and will continue
    until June 1. The heads of international organizations, current
    and former presidents of several nations and the ministers of more
    than 100 countries, heads of think tanks, scientists and high-level
    representatives of centers engaged in intercultural dialogue and
    diplomats are attending the forum.

    The East-West Meeting of the Ministers of Culture was also held for
    the first time in Baku on Friday on the sidelines of the second World
    Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.

    http://www.todayszaman.com/news-317027-azeri-president-cites-lack-of-multiculturalism-as-factor-in-karabakh-conflict.html

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