Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 14 2004

AMBASSADOR HAFIZ PASHAYEV: USA SHOULD KEEP IN MIND AZERBAIJANI
PUBLIC’S SENSITIVITY TO “ARMENIAN ISSUE”
[September 14, 2004, 15:56:20]

As was earlier reported, the NATO press-secretary notifed Baku on
Allied Command Europe’s decision to cancel military exercises
Cooperative Best Effort-2004 scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan in
the framework of the NATO Partnership For Peace Program.

Meanwhile, the US Department of State official expressed “deep
regret” that Armenian military officers had not been granted entry
visas to participate in the exercises.

Commenting on this statement to AzerTAj Washington-based reporter,
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States Mr. Hafiz Pashayev said
in particular : Unfortunately, the USA as one of the Minsk group
Co-chair failed to take into account the sensitivity of the
Azerbaijani public to the Armenian issue and potential effect it may
have on the peace talks on Nagorno-Karabakh. I hope the cancellation
of the exercises will not cause damage to the long-term
Alliance-Azerbaijan cooperation in the framework of the Partnership
For Peace Program.