Georgy Vanyan: "Ambassador of Peace Rauf Radjabov visiting Armenia has
turned into a fierce hater of Armenians upon arrival in Baku"

28 December 2007 [12:43] – Today.Az

"The events "A Step to Dialogue" and "Days of Azerbaijan" are
completely different things. The first is a long-term program of our
organization, which was initiated last year, while our arrangements in
school started two weeks before the arrival of guests from Azerbaijan",
Georgy Vanyan, chairman of the Caucasus Center of Peacekeeping
Initiatives, said, commenting on Rauf Radjabov’s statement, which
states that Armenians tried to set up the event "A step to Dialogue"
for the "Days of Azerbaijan in Armenia".

He said the Days of Azerbaijan were held at school and even were not
over with the departure of the guests.

"Pupils of the educational complex of Mkhitar Sebastatsi were thinking
and writing about Azerbaijan. It was their first meeting with
Azerbaijanis, during which they were able to communicate with
Azerbaijanis, ask questions and inform of themselves. The art contest
is going on and the exhibition of the placard and pictures will open in
2008. What is it if not the Days of Azerbaijan?" Vanyan said.

He noted that Rauf Radjabov suggested to change the name of the "Days
of Azerbaijan" stating that arrangement of such events is a prerogative
of the presidents. According to Vanyan, Radjabov did not make any other
comments on the program.

"I answered that the official name of the project, he was invited for,
is "A step to Dialogue" and there are not any problems in this issue".

Upon arrival to Yerevan, Rauf Radjabov insisted on the withdrawal of
the word combination "Days of Azerbaijan" from the already printed
program, according to Vanyan, who said Radjabov voiced concern over
publications in press, which stated that the Days of Azerbaijan in the
educational complex of Mkhitar Sebastatsi had transformed into the Days
of Azerbaijan in Armenia, while the guests of the project into a
delegation.

He said Radjabov could leave the country on the first day. But he did
not do it. But he did not participate in the Days of Azerbaijan in
Mkhitar Sebastatsi educational complex, as he did not read
compositions, did not award prizes or communicate with schoolchildren.

He said in fact the ambassador of peace Rauf Radjabov turned into a
fierce hater of Armenians upon his arrival in Baku.