DUTCH MFA BOT ON DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN KHACHKARS OF OLD JOUGHA

Abovian Armenian Cultural Association
sent on 23 February 2006

Answers of Mr. Bot, Minister of Foreign Affairs, also on behalf of
Secretary of State for Education, Culture and Science Van der Laan
to written questions submitted by Dutch MP Van der Staaij (SGP)
on destruction of Armenian Khachkars of Old Jougha.

Question 1
Is the report correct that by the order of the Azerbaijani authorities
in December 2005 graves of particular historic and cultural
significance were destroyed and desecrated at the Armenian cemetery
in Djulfa in Nakhichevan? Could you inform us of the precise state
of affairs?

Answer
The factual correctness of the reporting can not yet be assessed. The
issue has been raised by the Armenian authorities on 22 December
2005 at the OSCE Permanent Council. Azerbaijani authorities reject
the accusations.

Question 2
Could the government confirm whether the destruction is related to
the dormant conflict of Nagorno Karabagh?

Answer
As long as the actual facts of the case are not clarified, one is also
not sure about the cause. The parties have not yet found a solution
to the conflict and tensions can continue to occur.

Question 3
To what extend has Azerbaijan been sensitive to international criticism
to similar destruction in past years?

Answer
In reaction to international criticism of this kind Azerbaijan usually
points the finger accusingly towards Armenia. Armenia would have,
in the eyes of Azerbaijani authorities, deliberately neglected or
destroyed the Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Nagorno Karabagh and
nearby provinces.

Question 4
Is the Dutch government prepared to back the EU statement by condemning
the events and reminding Azerbaijan over her obligations vis-a-vis
her membership of the Council of Europe and participation in the
European Neighbourhood policy.

Answer
The Netherlands has already, on 1 February 2006. spoken out at the
Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europa, in favour of an
international investigation on the destructions. In the Action Plan
of the Council of Europe and in the Action Plan of the EU, which
is being set up within the Neighbourhood Policy, attention is paid
to the preservation of cultural heritage on basis of Azerbaijani
obligations with regard to her membership of the Council of Europe
and the European Neighbourhood Policy.