- What you can tell, basing on your experience in the USA, about influence of ethnic minority on the policy in this country?

- As a whole, the democratic system in America is arranged so, that in lobbyism not only the ethnic groups, but even the groups incorporated around of certain interests here can be engaged. For example, there are separate lobbyists of businessmen, workers of education, public health services. For us, interesting and in some cases dangerous is the influence of ethnic groups on foreign policy. The general influence of ethnic minority on the policy on the USA is positive. But, unfortunately, the Armenian Diaspora, opposing Azerbaijan, is one of the most radical groups in America. The Armenian Diaspora in itself is not monolithic group. Among them there are both radicals, and conservatives. When the question concerns Azerbaijan and Turkey, between them there is a common understanding - all of them act from destructive position. Despite of it, their efforts cannot render essential influence on strategic policy of the USA. Despite their attempts, they cannot damage Turkish-American relations, or the Azerbaijan-America partnership intensively developing in the last ten years.

And in the year of elections the Diaspora becomes stronger. To take presidential elections of this year: interrogations testify that both democrats, and republicans have equal opportunity for victory. It means that both sides need a lot of voices of voters. Thus, the candidate of both sides can get under influence of this or that electorate. In such situation, influence of not only traditional Jewish, Greek, Ukrainian or Armenian Diaspora grows, the important role can play also the Turkish and Azerbaijan Diaspora. For this purpose, it is necessary to mobilize forces inside the Diaspora and effectively to use available opportunities.

- On what depends the efficiency of Diaspora? From the finance, number of members or organization?

- All elements listed by you are important. But the most important is organization. And plus the national spirit prevailing inside. Members of community should understand, whom they are and be adhered to the Motherland. The Diaspora comprises people. If people do not wish to help the native land or will overlook about the national morals, any finance or organization cannot create effective Diaspora. The Armenian or Jewish Diaspora is not large in number. Turks and Azerbaijanis have advantage on them. However, because of lack of organization and financial sources, their influence is poorly felt. But I should admit that it is a long process. The strongest Diasporas in the USA were formed during 2-3 generations. We are beginners on this way.

- You spoke about the national spirit. Whether it is possible to count satisfactory national spirit among the Turks and Azerbaijanis?

- Turks and Azerbaijanis should work together. All should understand, that there are not closer people in the world than we are. It is felt among the Turks and Azerbaijanis living abroad. I hope, that we and henceforth shall continue our joint business. But sometimes there are such Turks or Azerbaijanis who, having left the Motherland, lose all links with it. Others speak supposedly that “I am offended by the country”. But I cannot understand, how it is possible to turn away from the Native land? And there are such that at all do not wish to join Diaspora. As they said, they wish only to receive the American citizenship. Naturally, each person has personal interests. But I think, that in a circle of personal interests of our compatriots living abroad, it should enter and interests of the Motherland. To achieve it, we should pass still a long way.

-Recently, due to joint efforts of Turkish and Azerbaijan Diasporas, in the Congress, there happened extremely important event for Azerbaijan. In the Congress, the working group on work with Azerbaijanis has been created. What can you say on prospects of this group?

-The event really represents for Azerbaijan great value. This fine result is caused by efforts of the Azerbaijan state applied in last years on mobilization of our compatriots living abroad, growing cooperation between the Turkish and Azerbaijan Diasporas, and also activity of our students training here. Creation of group is a parameter of growing strategic value of our state in Washington. It is no secret, that creation of special working group on such small state, as Azerbaijan is rare case for the USA. Co-chairmen of working group - the representative of Pennsylvania State, congressman Kurt Weldon and the representative of Texas - Congressman Solomon Ortiz are influential members of US Congress. Attacks to them recently have increased on the part of the Armenian community. In Washington, even in constituencies of the congressmen the forged are distributed on them. It is necessary for members of the Turkish and Azerbaijan Diasporas to render congressmen maximal support. Without our support, the working group does not have future. This group can have great prospects. I assign on working group large hopes both in strengthening links between the Congress and Milli Majlis, and in wide representation of interests of Azerbaijan in Washington. But, as I have already noted, without support of members of Diaspora, the congressmen can meet difficulties.

- I want to return again to the presidential elections. One of present candidates – the democrat John Kerry is the representative of state Massachusetts, where it is a lot of Armenians, in the Senate. Protection of interests of the Armenian voters, statement in the Congress from the anti-Azerbaijan position and bills became a component of activity of the senator Kerry. In what degree can the position of Azerbaijan suffer, if he will win elections?

- I lived last 2 years in the state of Massachusetts. I would not estimate John Kerry as the politician with completely the anti-Azerbaijan position. He is pro-Armenian. But between these two concepts there is a difference. To tell the truth, John Kerry supports close relations with the Armenian circles and protects their interests. It should cause our concern. But it is not necessary to forget also, that foreign policy of the USA is a stable concept. This country pursues its strategic interests. Even if the new owner of the White House will try to introduce in foreign policy the USA new tendencies, as a whole, the direction of policy remains as usual.

Part of the city of Boston refers to Watertown, almost all inhabitants here are the Armenians. Having got here, you feel as in Armenia. They even have named one of streets Artsakh. Local Armenians think as Armenians, instead of Americans. John Kerry should understand, that these people would never support national interests of America. They protect only narrow lobbyist interests. Such policy is unpromising.

-Have you been subject to pressure of the Armenian community during study in Boston?

-Certainly. At the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University, which I have graduated, annually receive education 30 Armenian students. The Armenian Diaspora finances this program. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan also is the graduate of this school. For 2 years of study there, I became the witness of good organization of the Armenians. All of them use the same expressions, act from common position. We tried to popularize here the position of Azerbaijan. So, the last year the ambassador of Azerbaijan in Washington Hafiz Pashayev made a speech in School before wide audience. And this year the deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov visited the School. Now the administration of School searches for ways of the organization of the Azerbaijan program. Using financial opportunities of the State Department, the government of Azerbaijan or the School, we are going to direct annually here students from Azerbaijan. As a whole, it would be good, if the Azerbaijan delegations, even one or two once a year read lectures in the known educational institutions of America, partook at conferences. Thus, the future politicians of the USA will study Azerbaijan still in their student years.