Azerbaijan, Where a Brushfire War Must Be Stopped Before It Spreads

By Dr. Syed H. Ahmed

My recent humanitarian trip on behalf of Relief International of Los Angeles to the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, a country nestled between Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran and the Caspian Sea, was inspired by two factors. The first was my desire to see the changes that have taken place there since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The second was my ongoing interest in organizing relief assistance and medical help for disaster areas, whether they have been hit by natural calamities like hurricanes, earthquakes and floods, or man-made traumas like acts of genocide, "ethnic cleansing" or declared or undeclared war. The international response to such catastrophes often is characterized by great sympathy, but also great inaction.

The destruction that Hurricane Andrew wrought in south Florida was fresh in my mind when I responded to an appeal for medical help in the war-torn nation of Azerbaijan. Despite numerous warnings about the dangers posed there by the continuing war with Armenia, I could not resist the opportunity to travel to this ancient land renowned for its hospitality, and to do what I could to assist Azeri medical professionals in caring for the influx of refugees from the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azeri territories into the Azeri capital of Baku. Baku is a beautiful city whose gardens and wide boulevards contrast both with the narrow cobblestoned alleys of the old quarters and the more recent Communist-era architecture. Because Azerbaijan is blessed with such natural resources as oil, gas and gold and with land suitable for growing cotton, its capital long has been a cosmopolitan city.

The beauty of Baku was overshadowed however, by evidence of the growing toll the war is inflicting on refugees crowding into the city. Their living conditions are deplorable. One refugee camp I visited, known as Jayran Batton Camp, housed over a thousand people who had fled the fighting. It was appalling to see seven or eight people washing, cooking and sleeping in the same small room. The crowded quarters greatly contributed to the spread of infectious diseases, which were prevalent throughout the camps I visited.

Because of the lack of supplies and trained personnel, the level of medical care was primitive. Some camps did not even have a trained nurse, much less a doctor. It was heartbreaking to have to treat a child suffering from an acute allergy problem with nothing but Tylenol, since there was no other medication available. It was also sad to note that very few international relief agencies have acted to help this desperate lot of humanity.

Despite the hardships the refugees were facing, I was surprised at the negligible degree of animosity toward the Armenians. The Azeris I spoke with expressed an eagerness for their country to develop friendly relations with the United States, particularly in the economic, educational and scientific fields. The only political request the refugees asked me to carry back to the American people was for Armenian troops to be withdrawn from Azeri lands. More generally, Azeris hoped the U.S. would help negotiate a just and lasting peace where the territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan would be respected, the occupation of Azeri lands should cease, the eviction of civilian populations from their lands would end, and prisoners on both sides would be released immediately.

I returned convinced that the fire in the Caucasus must be extinguished before it spreads elsewhere. European countries who are playing politics by supporting one side or the other must instead work for peace, which will benefit both Armenians and Azeris.

For its part, the U. S. must also stand up for traditional American values. If it applies these values impartially and free from domestic political considerations, it can strengthen the cause of peace and stop the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Dr. Syed H. Ahmed, a pediatrician in private practice in Amarillo, TX, has participated in relief operations following Hurricane Andrew in Florida, earthquakes in Iran and flooding in Bangladesh. At present he is active in organizing medical assistance for the people of Bosnia.