ISLAMIC COUNTRIES SUPPORTED AZERBAIJAN IN ITS POSITION REGARDING KARABAKH, AND IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
by Mehman Gafarly

Source: Novye Izvestia, June 22, 2006, p. 4
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
June 26, 2006 Monday

ISLAMIC COUNTRIES EXPRESS THEIR OPINION; THE COUNCIL OF FOREIGN
MINISTERS OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION PASSED THE BAKU
DECLARATION; The ICO intends to defend the interests of Muslim
countries in influential international organizations. The ICO
secretary-general proposed to make representatives of the Islamic
world members of the UN Security Council.

(…)

According to the Baku declaration passed by the Islamic Conference
Organization (ICO), Armenia must leave "Azerbaijan’s territory".

However, the Turkish foreign minister noted that "the Karabakh
conflict should be solved peacefully, which will create conditions
for cooperation between Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia".

However, independent analysts think that Baku should not rely on the
support of the ICO. The point is that the position of the majority of
Islamic nations is reserved. For instance, Iran and Egypt maintain
friendly relations with Armenia. Only Turkey and Pakistan support
Azerbaijan’s position.

The support of the Iranian nuclear program was the most unexpected
results of the meeting despite the fact that many Islamic countries
have serious bilateral problems with Teheran.

The ICO intends to defend the interests of Muslim countries in
influential international organizations. The ICO secretary-general
proposed to make representatives of the Islamic world members of
the UN Security Council. He noted: "Muslims account for a fifth of
the population of the planet, and I consider it necessary to make
one Muslim country a member of the UN Security Council." He welcome
Russia’s participation in the Baku forum (Russia has the status of an
observer). Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov noted that
he welcomes Teheran’s intention to hold negotiations with the G-6
(members of the UN Security Council plus Germany), which settles the
crisis over the nuclear problem.