NGO Forum blames NATO for breaching principles

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 8 2004

Baku, September 7, AssA-Irada

The National NGO Forum held a news conference in protest against
Armenian officers’ planned visit to Baku to attend NATO military
training under the Partnership for Peace program.

The Forum President Azay Guliyev said the invitation of Armenian
officers to NATO command-staff training in Baku has sparked a
nationwide rage.

This contradicts NATO’s charter and principles saying that there
shouldn’t be any conflict among NATO member states, including partner
countries, Guliyev said.

The Forum states that the participation of the military men from an
invader country in any event organized in Azerbaijan is unacceptable
unless occupied Azerbaijani lands are liberated and about one million
refugees return home.

The Forum intends to hold a series of rallies in protest against
Armenian officers’ visit before September 13.*