AZERI MPS CRITICIZE JOURNALISTS FOR VISITING ARMENIA

ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Dec 18 2007

Two pro-government members of Azerbaijani parliament have criticized
a group of journalists for their recent visit to Armenia. Speaking
in parliament, the MPs said that the parliament should express its
attitude to such visits, Azerbaijan’s ANS TV has reported.

MP Zahid Oruc said that people’s diplomacy which involves Azerbaijanis
is a reflection of the "anti-popular and anti-official policy". "I
think the parliament should adopt a serious law to clearly identify
the framework of these actions and the sanctions they entail in order
not to leave these issues to public will," Oruc said. "We cannot limit
this issue only to moral responsibility," he said while addressing
the parliament.

In turn, MP Azay Quliyev said that "any contact with Armenia is
unacceptable until Azerbaijani territories are liberated from
occupation".

He said that Armenians are not sincere in their actions. "They are
using such contacts and events in order to present themselves as
a peaceloving nation to the world community, and this is a complete
lie," Quliyev said.

Addressing the chairman, he urged the parliament and public to clearly
identify their position on the issue. "How can we tell our neighbour
Turkey after all this not to open its border and not to cooperate
[with the Armenians] because they have invaded our territory?" he said.

"I think we have to express a clear position on this issue so that
everyone can follow it," he said.