EUROPEAN RESOLUTION NOT BINDING ON GOVERNMENTS, BRITISH ENVOY SAYS

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 7 2006

Baku, March 6, AssA-Irada
The European Parliament’s recent resolution concerning the alleged
desecration of Armenian graves in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan
represents the opinion of only several MPs, British Ambassador
Laurie Bristow has told journalists. According to the diplomat,
the opinions of parliamentarians almost never correspond with those
of their governments. Therefore, even though the idea was tabled by
British MPs, it should not be seen as reflecting the position of the
British government.

Bristow said he was not familiar with the issues raised in the
resolution. He added though that Britain always condemns acts of
vandalism wherever they take place.

“I think it is important to respect cultural and national heritage
in all parts of the world,” he said.