AZERI CLERICS PRAISE IRANIAN PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO BAKU

Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Sahar TV
21 Aug 07
Tehran

The TV quoted the deputy chairman of the pro-Iranian Islamic Party of
Azerbaijan (IPA), Haci Vaqif Abdullayev, as saying that Iran was one of
the first countries to have recognized Azerbaijan’s independence and
has always recognized Armenia as an aggressor while no other country,
even the USA, has ever recognized Armenia as an aggressor. Iran has
always insisted at all Islamic conferences and other international
meetings that Armenia pull out of Azerbaijan’s occupied lands,
Abdullayev was quoted as saying. Abdullayev added that the two
countries’ leaders are "sincere and friendly" and that the visit will
boost "sincerity and friendliness" in relations, the TV said.

The TV also quoted a spokesman for the IPA, Haci Qurban Cabrayil, as
saying that the visit is "topical and significant". Cabrayil added
that the visit will be of "major importance" in preventing discord
between the two countries.

The TV also quoted Haci Ilqar Ibrahimoglu, chairman of the Centre
to Protect Religion and Freedom of Conscience and head of the Cuma
religious community in Azerbaijan, as saying that the visit taking
place in the current situation in the world is of "major importance"
for the region. He added that Azerbaijan decides on its own with whom
it should establish relations, the TV said.

Ibrahimoglu said that the visit will yield "important regional and
international results". The fact that the Iranian president has been
invited to Baku in current conditions shows that Azerbaijan does
not want to participate in any action against Iran, Sahar TV quoted
Ibrahimoglu as saying. The visit shows that relations between the
two countries are friendly, and it may be important in terms of the
Karabakh peace process, he added, according to Sahar TV.

The Iranian president is paying a two-day official visit to Azerbaijan
on 21-22 August at the invitation of his Azerbaijani counterpart.