Azeri presidential aide says BBC radio cannot be taken off air

Azartac news agency, Baku
31 May 04

Azerbaijan is a democratic republic, democracy in the country is
developing rapidly, and it would be inappropriate to take a media
outlet off the air for the information it circulates, the head of
the presidential administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev, has told Azartac
news agency commenting on a BBC correspondent’s visit to Nagornyy
Karabakh without the permission of the Azerbaijani authorities and
in violation of Azerbaijani laws.

Ramiz Mehdiyev added that the BBC correspondent should have observed
the law, and the fact that he did not has caused fair discontent of
many people.

However, since freedom of the press is duly protected in Azerbaijan,
it would be unacceptable to take sanctions against the radio station
or to take it off the air. This runs counter to democratic principles
and to our position, Mehdiyev said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress