Envoy says USA following trial of Azeri opposition leaders

Trend news agency
26 May 04

Baku, 26 May: The trial of those detained after the October
presidential elections in Azerbaijan must be held in an open
and transparent atmosphere and on the basis of the rule of law,
US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish told journalists today,
Trend reports.

He said the American side has been closely following the trial since
it began.

“This issue represents enormous interest to members of the Congress. US
nongovernmental organizations are watching the trial closely as
well,” he added. Harnish pointed to two positive facts observed in
the trial thus far: the fact that the opposition media were provided
with access to the hearings and that the lawyers of the detained
opposition activists had an opportunity to speak on television.

“I can see that this is a good signal on the part of the government,
because the international community is following this trial,” he said.

The ambassador added that the American side would provide its final
comments on the basis of OSCE expert opinion.