POLITICS

AMBASSADOR OF AZERBAIJAN PROTESTED “WASHINGTON POST”

31.10.2003 [14:54]
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Ambassador of Azerbaijani in Washington Hafiiz Pashayev sent a letter of protest to the “Washington Post” newspaper on biased coverage of the Presidential elections in Azerbaijan by this edition, the Washington- correspondent of AzerTAj reports. As stated, the newspaper in its 22 October issue deals with shortcomings at the elections the international observers reveled in Baku, beating and arrest of the opposition supporters, but ignores the facts asserted by OSCE observers, such as “unusual transparency”, “advancement in comparison with the previous elections in Azerbaijan” and “significant effort in the direction of international standards”. The Ambassador stressed that on contrary to the American media, the Europeans inspire Azerbaijan for move towards democracy. “Does the “Washington Post” think that Europe observes different democratic standards?” the Ambassador questions. The Azerbaijani diplomat states that the opposition leaders still on October 15 warned on bloodshed in Baku streets and called their supporters to accept election conclusions when they were not made public.

The “Washington Post” also reminds that Azerbaijan’s assistance to the United States does not include only use of its space during the Afghanistan and Iraq military operations. Militaries of Azerbaijan stand shoulder by shoulder with the US servicemen.

Further, Mr. Ambassador Pashayev writes that though it is characteristic for the “Washington Post” to seek contradictions between the notions of oil and democracy, geo-strategy and human rights, these factors may happen together. From this standpoint, Azerbaijan tries to be a sample.

Partial attitude of the newspaper was also underlined in the letter of protest sent to the edition by Adam Ereli, deputy press secretary of Department of State. Mr. Adam Ereli considers that the newspaper has not taken into account several other important facts on the US policy related to Azerbaijan. The United States called on the government of Azerbaijan to provide for fair and free presidential elections that will express the will of people. First Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, in his phone conversation with Prime Minister Ilham Aliyev said he would work with him and Azerbaijani government closely. However, greater part of this conversation was dedicated to the necessity of patience of the government after the elections, on bringing to responsibility both the police and opposition representatives for the committed crime, irrespective of who are they.