AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Jan 13 2005

AZERBAIJAN NGOS APPEAL TO COUNCIL OF EUROPE
[January 13, 2005, 23:23:55]

Representatives of the national NGOs gathered January 13 at the
International Press Center in Baku to exchange views on the report on
Nagorno-Karabakh problem to be delivered by head of the European
Democratic Group in PACE David Atkinson in PACE enlarged meeting on
January 25.

According to President of the Azerbaijan NGOs Forum Azay Gouliyev,
the report indicates the Council of Europe is interested in fair and
international law-based resolution of the problem – it describes
Armenia as an aggressor and a country pursuing a policy of ethnic
cleansing against Azerbaijanis, points to separatist forces currently
keeping control over the occupied territories as well as Armenia’s
intention to create here a mono-ethnic state. At the same time
however, there are a number of vital problems not reflected in the
report. Among them are: territories must be released, return of
refugees and IDPs to their lands should be ensured, Armenia must pay
an indemnity to them for property and moral damage, the European
Court should give a legal assessment to the Khojaly tragedy.

The participants of the meeting expressed confidence that PACE member
would take a fair stance with respect to the problem.

After the discussion, the appeal signed by representatives of over
100 NGOs was sent to COE Secretary General Terry Davis, PACE
President Peter Schieder and Secretary General Bruno Haller, PACE
Political Affairs Committee, deputies and Embassies of the COE member
states in Baku.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress