BAKU: Azerbaijani MPs Reject Leo Platvoet’s Proposals

AZERBAIJANI MPS REJECT LEO PLATVOET’S PROPOSALS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006

The Council of Europe Parlaimentary Assembly (PACE) rapporteur for
missing persons Leo Platvoet and PACE member Mack Nevil had several
talks today in Baku. They first visited the International Committee
of the Red Cross office in Baku.

Then Mr. Platvoet met with families of prisoners of war and missing
persons at the State Committee for Prisoners of War, Hostages and
Missing Persons.

The European visitors also had talks with members of the Azerbaijani
parliamentary delegation to PACE-Gultakin Hajiyeva, Ali Husyenov
and Elmira Akhundova. Ms. Hajiyeva said to APA that Platvoet offered
some proposals at the meeting but Azerbaijani parliamentarians did
not accept them. The European rapporteur proposed the Azerbaijani
side to maintain contacts with institutions and NGOs functioning in
Nagorno Garabagh to make more specific investigations on the prisoners
of war and missing persons.

“We told them that Nagorno Garabagh is Azerbaijan’s territory,
and cooperation with any organizations acting there is contrary to
Azerbaijan’s state policy. On the other hand, we said the government
established in Nagorno Garabagh is not recognized by the world and
is not independent. Therefore, we said it would be more efficient to
cooperate with the Armenian government which is ruling the so-called
government in Nagorno Garabagh,” the parliamentarian said.

Platvoet’s proposal on sending families of the missing persons to
Nagorno Garabagh to search for their missing relatives was also
rejected by the Azerbaijani parliamentarians.

“It would not be right to charge the families with this issue. We also
said to Platvoet that one day Armenia will stand international court
for its aggression against Azerbaijan. Therefore, it is important
that the international organizations make unbiased assessment of the
issue,” she said.

Azerbaijani parliamentarians informed Platvoet about that fact that
there are nearly 5,000 prisoners of war and missing persons.

PACE rapporteur for missing persons in Azerbaijan, Armenia and
Georgia Leo Platvoet and PACE member Mack Nevill has been visiting the
region since June 4. They were in Armenia and George before visiting
Azerbaijan. The European parliamentarians will have officials talks
tomorrow.

Platvoet will draw up a report on the visit and present to PACE.