BAKU: Azeri officials comment on BBC reporter’s visit to Karabakh

ANS TV, Baku
15 May 04

[Presenter] Baku is seriously concerned about BBC World Service
employee Steve Eke visiting Nagornyy Karabakh without notifying
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani Speaker has commented on this unpleasant
incident.

[Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov speaking to an ANS microphone] I have
spoken to the foreign minister. He said that he would deal with the
issue. Thank you.

[Presenter] The head of the presidential administration, Ramiz
Mehdiyev, also criticized the actions of BBC journalists who do not
respect Azerbaijan. However, he was more careful in his comments.

[Mehdiyev] In any case, we would like those who go to Nagornyy Karabakh
to know that they should go to Karabakh through Azerbaijani territory
because Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan. It is a positive
thing that they go to Karabakh and make impartial reports. We would
like all those who go to Karabakh to know that Nagornyy Karabakh is
a constituent part of Azerbaijan.