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| Said Azizi, political activist |
Said Azizi states that there is no dialogue between the government and non-Persian groups in Iran, but that the situation of the Turks is different from other non-Persian groups in terms of their connection to opposition groups. In an interview with Voice of America, Azizi, the spokesperson for the Azerbaijan Democratic Union, evaluated the level of communication and dialogue between various groups in Iran. He emphasized his belief that the issue of Azerbaijan and the Turkish question in Iran can only be solved through dialogue.
"In the era of media, which has played the most important role in human history in the past century, unfortunately, dictatorship has prevailed in our region, particularly in Iranian society. The dictator, for his own benefit, eliminated the means of dialogue."
Azizi points out that dialogue is weak and in poor condition between the government and the people, between the people themselves, between opposition groups and the government, and even among opposition groups:
"In terms of dialogue with the government, non-Persian groups are in the same situation. The government looks at Arabs, Kurds, and Turks in the same way. None of them are recognized as ethnic or national minorities, nor are they engaged in any discussions. If, at some point, the government had talks with some Kurdish groups, it was only to implement its own plans, to calm them down, not to grant them their rights. They were trying to trap them, as we saw when they were attacked during the negotiation process."
Azizi refers to the killings of Abdul Rahman Qasemlo and Sadegh Sharafkandi, leaders of the Iranian Kurdistan Democratic Party, who were assassinated in Vienna in 1989 and Berlin in 1992, respectively, while negotiating with Iranian representatives.
Azizi continues by saying that the situation of non-Persian groups is different when it comes to dialogue with Iranian opposition groups:
"The atmosphere against Azerbaijan and Turks has infiltrated the minds of all citizens in Iran. In this regard, both right-wing and left-wing groups, legal and illegal opposition movements, have either anti-Turkish positions and deny the existence of the Turk, or they adopt a defensive position towards Turks. Those who lean a bit left accept the rights of Azerbaijanis and Turks in some way, but their relations with us are different from other non-Persian groups."
He adds that, "Under the influence of anti-Turkish propaganda, Iranian opposition groups have been more inclined toward Kurdish organizations. An important reason for this is that we have not had an organized group like the Kurds. After the fall of the National Government in December 1946, we lost our organization, while the Kurds managed to preserve theirs. This is why, in various events over time, Kurdish opposition groups have been able to work alongside other opposition groups, even though their dialogue with the Kurdish groups was not to solve Kurdish issues, but as a form of engagement against the government."
Azizi believes that the Southern Azerbaijan movement needs to open dialogue doors with Iranian political groups. According to him, the solution to the Azerbaijan issue will only be possible through dialogue with Iran's other groups, including the Persian community.
"We must be proactive and try to open these doors for dialogue. We should not wait for Persian groups to come and talk to us. They will never come. They are the ruling power in the government. We must demand what is rightfully ours... We must knock on every door to claim our rights... The idea that Azerbaijan can escape oppression and discrimination without recognizing Iran's official stance and without talking to the Persian community is wrong. Whether we wish to separate, stay, be independent, or federal, it must all happen through dialogue. We do not want the situation of Syria, Iraq, or Libya. We do not want the PKK's ideology. These ideologies do not suit us, and God forbid that they should befall our people. We must solve our problem peacefully through dialogue, both on the international and domestic levels, with those who accept us or who do not oppose us," the Turkish activist added.
Azizi notes that the forces within the national movement may not share the same view on this issue, but that the current period is more favorable for forces that prefer dialogue.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Səid Əzizi: Mücadiləmiz üçün dialoq vacibdir