Monday 7 December 2020
JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 1, Block A: On the Road to Baku
Niyazi Bayramov, mayor of the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan. Translator: Farid Abdulzade; in re: Ganja attacked by Scarab and Scud missiles in October. Ganja is twelve centuries old; 350,000 people have been leading prosperous lives—and suddenly were under attack by missiles from the Nagorno-Karabakh war; 26 killed, 148 wounded. First attack was on the morning of 4 October. Emergency crews raced to help the victims. There was no military presence anywhere in the neighborhood; it was entirely an attack on innocent civilians. Hugely destructive. These missiles are capable of carrying nuclear or chemical weapons; they didn’t this time, but could. On 10 October, there was a ceasefire agreement, but from the territory of Armenia missiles struck. A hundred families are now living in government housing, with three meals daily and all the facilities needed. They will be recompensed for their losses.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 1, Block B: On the Road to Baku
Niyazi Bayramov, mayor of the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan. Translator: Farid Abdulzade; in re: How did the people of Ganja react? The city has been under four attacks; those who've been injured or suffered losses are the focus of special attention, especially under the aegis of the president and vice-president. We’ll build a new residential complex, schools, playgrounds.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 1, Block C: On the Road to Baku
Niyazi Bayramov, mayor of the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan. Translator: Farid Abdulzade; in re: What is the future for Ganja? Missile attacks on 4, 8, 11, 14 October. Because the missiles fell on nonmilitary targets, we’ll build a new theater, sports complexes, homes, schools. The goal is to make it more beautiful. The people are very strong. They’re confident that this war is over, that they’re now safe, and are eager to rebuild and move forward.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 1, Block D: On the Road to Baku
Niyazi Bayramov, mayor of the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan. Translator: Farid Abdulzade; in re: What justice for criminal attacks in Ganja? Yes, it was a war crime, The attacker may have intended to create chaos and turn the people against the government, but these are strong and brave people who became even more devoted to the nation. Everyone’s goal has been to reclaim the territory stolen decades ago. [The attack from the enemy] was vengeance or sadism; what will provide justice for the people of Ganja? The justice we have is the return of our land. As for apartments and buildings the president supports us strongly. JB: I’ve learned that when you throw a missile into a civilian population, you won’t win—you lose. Ganja wins an award for being the toughest town in the Caucasus. Even the volunteers have shirts: “Ganja strong.” The city of brave people.
Hour Two
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 2, Block A: On the Road to Baku
Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of Center of Analysis of International Relations, a Baku think-tank; in re: The history of the Nagorno-Karabakh war. Why are Russia and Turkey involved in the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war? There are two opinions on why Armenians and Azerbaijanis are in conflict. We lived peacefully together for ancient times; the problems began when Russian imperialism entered. Over time, Armenians and Azeris lived in each other’s country, also in Georgia, in Iran. The USSR collapsed in 1991; then Armenia launched a full-scale war against Nagorno-Karabakh, The UN demanded he they withdraw but did nothing. For 27 years, we've had peaceful negotiations, but the new Armenian leadership abandoned the principles. What’s in it for Russia? We agreed to Russian mediation for the withdrawal and for Russians to be peacekeeper observers; as for Turkey, Russia has a military alliance with Armenia and a military base there, and Azerbaijan wanted a balance, so Turkey is a peacekeeper observer.
Even Russia will have to realize that constant frozen conflicts on its border don't bring benefit to Russia Bu there are two camps there, one being the old Russian imperial mindset, which [favors destabilization of neighbors].
.. .. . .
Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of AIR Center, Adjunct Lecturer at ADA University; Azerbaijan’s former ambassador in Canada and the Czech Republic. Established in Baku, Azerbaijan, in February 201,9 the Center for Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) is a policy research think-tank that produces innovative analysis on ongoing global and regional processes in Azerbaijan and outside, with a focus on conducting fundamental research into various aspects of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and international relations and security issues. At the AIR Center, we bring together leading and diverse thought leaders, experts, scholars and members of the public representing different points of view, who provide the highest-quality research, policy recommendations and analysis. The Center provides a selection of newsletters and notifications to keep you updated on the work of our scholars and its impact and approach in relation to the daily issues, breaking news, et al.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 2, Block B: On the Road to Baku
Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of Center of Analysis of International Relations, a Baku think-tank; in re: Seeking a Versailles Treaty Conference for the ummah. Azerbaijan is a Shi’a culture that’s tolerant, generous, welcoming. Ur region is a mosaic of groups and cultures which, during hr Middle Ages and later, for he most part lived in peace and harmony. Currently, threats of overpopulation, and now even the pandemic. Referring to the experience of Europe: it created a system of territorial integrity, respect for religious diversity, and minority rights. I’d like to see this across Central Asia and the Middle East. Concerning Turkey, it has an opportunity to [be a force for good]. Yes the First World War was avoidable. Note that the kings were relatives. To avoid replicating it, we need to resolve tracks, such as between Saudi and Iran.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 2, Block C: On the Road to Baku
Ramiz Gharamanov, with the translator Ohrlan Garayev. The Gharamanov family were victims of the October 17 missile attack. Ramiz lost three of his seven grandchildren. He was sleeping on the second floor of his house; the house was destroyed.
My daughter Khatira and my son’s daughter and my daughter’s son . . . Ganja residents aren’t scared by this attack; we condemn this sort of attack. There’s no military infrastructure in this city, we hold it as a crime against a peaceful population. We thank the American people for carrying our message to the world. We want this to prevent further attacks on our civilians. JB:Are you secure here now? We feel more secure nowadays, are confident that peace will endure in our region. I share the mayor’s views on how courageous the population of Ganja is. We are not scared, and will not leave our homes. JB:I’ve learned that this was a crime against you and your family. I look to justice for you.
I want justice to prevail for all families involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 2, Block D: On the Road to Baku
Nazim Garayev and his uncle Baylar Garayev. Internally Displaced Persons who have waited 27 years to return to the occupied lands in Kalbajar District. On 10 November, Armenians agreed o leave; they asked or five days, which we gave them; then asked for another ten days, which we gave. They mined the entire area, burned houses down, and cut down trees. They devastated the landscape. It will take at least thirteen years to clean out the mines. When my uncle was a child and grew up there, he says, there was a beautiful forest and mineral springs running clear water. It shows the true face of Armenia that they bombed our city which is entirely civilian. One of the houses destroyed was next to our house—which also was destroyed. We're very sad because we lost children, some one and two years old. Armenians also destroyed graves of our ancestors.
Hour Three
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 3, Block A: On the Road to Baku
Niyazi Bayramov, mayor of the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan. Translator: Farid Abdulzade; in re: Ganja attacked by Scarab and Scud missiles in October. Ganja is twelve centuries old; 350,000 people have been leading prosperous lives—and suddenly were under attack by missiles from the Nagorno-Karabakh war; 26 killed, 148 wounded. First attack was on the morning of 4 October. Emergency crews raced to help the victims. There was no military presence anywhere in the neighborhood; it was entirely an attack on innocent civilians. Hugely destructive. These missiles are capable of carrying nuclear or chemical weapons; they didn’t this time, but could. On 10 October, there was a ceasefire agreement, but from the territory of Armenia missiles struck. A hundred families are now living in government housing, with three meals daily and all the facilities needed. They will be recompensed for their losses.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 3, Block B: On the Road to Baku
Niyazi Bayramov, mayor of the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan. Translator: Farid Abdulzade; in re: How did the people of Ganja react? The city has been under four attacks; those who've been injured or suffered losses are the focus of special attention, especially under the aegis of the president and vice-president. We’ll build a new residential complex, schools, playgrounds.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 3, Block C: On the Road to Baku
Niyazi Bayramov, mayor of the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan. Translator: Farid Abdulzade; in re: What is the future for Ganja? Missile attacks on 4, 8, 11, 14 October. Because the missiles fell on nonmilitary targets, we’ll build a new theater, sports complexes, homes, schools. The goal is to make it more beautiful. The people are very strong. They’re confident that this war is over, that they’re now safe, and are eager to rebuild and move forward.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 3, Block D: On the Road to Baku
Niyazi Bayramov, mayor of the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan. Translator: Farid Abdulzade; in re: What justice for criminal attacks in Ganja? Yes, it was a war crime, The attacker may have intended to create chaos and turn the people against the government, but these are strong and brave people who became even more devoted to the nation. Everyone’s goal has been to reclaim the territory stolen decades ago. [The attack from the enemy] was vengeance or sadism; what will provide justice for the people of Ganja? The justice we have is the return of our land. As for apartments and buildings the president supports us strongly. JB: I’ve learned that when you throw a missile into a civilian population, you won’t win—you lose. Ganja wins an award for being the toughest town in the Caucasus. Even the volunteers have shirts: “Ganja strong.” The city of brave people.
Hour Four
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 4, Block A: On the Road to Baku
Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of Center of Analysis of International Relations, a Baku think-tank; in re: The history of the Nagorno-Karabakh war. Why are Russia and Turkey involved in the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war? There are two opinions on why Armenians and Azerbaijanis are in conflict. We lived peacefully together for ancient times; the problems began when Russian imperialism entered. Over time, Armenians and Azeris lived in each other’s country, also in Georgia, in Iran. The USSR collapsed in 1991; then Armenia launched a full-scale war against Nagorno-Karabakh, The UN demanded he they withdraw but did nothing. For 27 years, we've had peaceful negotiations, but the new Armenian leadership abandoned the principles. What’s in it for Russia? We agreed to Russian mediation for the withdrawal and for Russians to be peacekeeper observers; as for Turkey, Russia has a military alliance with Armenia and a military base there, and Azerbaijan wanted a balance, so Turkey is a peacekeeper observer.
Even Russia will have to realize that constant frozen conflicts on its border don't bring benefit to Russia Bu there are two camps there, one being the old Russian imperial mindset, which [favors destabilization of neighbors].
.. .. . .
Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of AIR Center, Adjunct Lecturer at ADA University; Azerbaijan’s former ambassador in Canada and the Czech Republic. Established in Baku, Azerbaijan, in February 201,9 the Center for Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) is a policy research think-tank that produces innovative analysis on ongoing global and regional processes in Azerbaijan and outside, with a focus on conducting fundamental research into various aspects of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and international relations and security issues. At the AIR Center, we bring together leading and diverse thought leaders, experts, scholars and members of the public representing different points of view, who provide the highest-quality research, policy recommendations and analysis. The Center provides a selection of newsletters and notifications to keep you updated on the work of our scholars and its impact and approach in relation to the daily issues, breaking news, et al.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 4, Block B: On the Road to Baku
Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of Center of Analysis of International Relations, a Baku think-tank; in re: Seeking a Versailles Treaty Conference for the ummah. Azerbaijan is a Shi’a culture that’s tolerant, generous, welcoming. Ur region is a mosaic of groups and cultures which, during hr Middle Ages and later, for he most part lived in peace and harmony. Currently, threats of overpopulation, and now even the pandemic. Referring to the experience of Europe: it created a system of territorial integrity, respect for religious diversity, and minority rights. I’d like to see this across Central Asia and the Middle East. Concerning Turkey, it has an opportunity to [be a force for good]. Yes the First World War was avoidable. Note that the kings were relatives. To avoid replicating it, we need to resolve tracks, such as between Saudi and Iran.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 4, Block C: On the Road to Baku
Ramiz Gharamanov, with the translator Ohrlan Garayev. The Gharamanov family were victims of the October 17 missile attack. Ramiz lost three of his seven grandchildren. He was sleeping on the second floor of his house; the house was destroyed.
My daughter Khatira and my son’s daughter and my daughter’s son . . . Ganja residents aren’t scared by this attack; we condemn this sort of attack. There’s no military infrastructure in this city, we hold it as a crime against a peaceful population. We thank the American people for carrying our message to the world. We want this to prevent further attacks on our civilians. JB:Are you secure here now? We feel more secure nowadays, are confident that peace will endure in our region. I share the mayor’s views on how courageous the population of Ganja is. We are not scared, and will not leave our homes. JB:I’ve learned that this was a crime against you and your family. I look to justice for you.
I want justice to prevail for all families involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Monday 7 December 2020 / Hour 4, Block D: On the Road to Baku
Nazim Garayev and his uncle Baylar Garayev. Internally Displaced Persons who have waited 27 years to return to the occupied lands in Kalbajar District. On 10 November, Armenians agreed o leave; they asked or five days, which we gave them; then asked for another ten days, which we gave. They mined the entire area, burned houses down, and cut down trees. They devastated the landscape. It will take at least thirteen years to clean out the mines. When my uncle was a child and grew up there, he says, there was a beautiful forest and mineral springs running clear water. It shows the true face of Armenia that they bombed our city which is entirely civilian. One of the houses destroyed was next to our house—which also was destroyed. We're very sad because we lost children, some one and two years old. Armenians also destroyed graves of our ancestors.