Azeri group appeals to NATO over Armenians’ participation in September exercises

ANS TV, Baku
6 Sep 04

[Presenter Qanira Atasova] A complaint will be lodged with the
[Azerbaijani] Court of Appeal today against the guilty verdict for
the members of the Karabakh Liberation Organization [KLO] who were
arrested for protesting against Armenian servicemen’s visit to Baku. In
order to avoid confrontation between the authorities and the public
during the next visit of Armenian officers, the KLO has appealed to
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

[Correspondent Rasad Mammadov, over video of protesting people] The
KLO said in a statement to the NATO secretary-general that the NATO
leadership should take into account and respect the national interests
of the Azerbaijani Republic and the will of its people. Saying that
the participation of Armenian officers in the military exercises
within the framework of NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme in
Baku in mid-September is inadmissible, the KLO members reminded the
secretary-general of what Armenians had committed in our country.

The statement signed by KLO deputy chairman Samil Mehdi also says that
six members of the KLO were arrested and sentenced to a total of 24
years in prison for protesting against Armenians’ participation in
a preparatory workshop for the mentioned exercises on 22 June. The
statement says that this event, which has shaken the Azerbaijani
public, questions the appropriateness of cooperation with NATO. We
demand that the NATO leadership refuse to invite Armenian war criminals
to Baku. If it is not possible, the September exercises should be
organized in another country in a bid to avoid undesirable incidents
and confrontation between the Azerbaijani public and the authorities,
end of quote.

The KLO states that the visit of Armenians to Azerbaijan is
inadmissible until Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
are restored and should be prevented by all means. The responsibility
for all possible developments falls on the Azerbaijani authorities
and the NATO leadership.
From: Baghdasarian