IRANIAN AZERBAIJANIS PROTEST AGAINST OPENING OF ARMENIAN CONSULATE GENERAL IN TABRIZ

Azeri Press Agency
Jan 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Iranian Azerbaijanis protested against opening of Armenian Consulate
General in Tabriz. Intellectuals have already appealed to the
president, head of Tabriz province, Foreign Ministry and parliament.

Editor-in-chief of Azerbaijan-language newspaper published in
Iran "Yarpag" Said Muganli told APA that a group of Azerbaijani
intellectuals met with parliamentarian from Tabriz Akbar Alami and
informed him about the protest of the Azerbaijanis living in Iran.

Said Muganli said that signature collection campaign started in
the country.

"Signature collection campaign started among Azerbaijanis, who protest
against opening of Armenian consulate in Tabriz, five days ago. Iranian
government has not taken a stance on the problem yet. We think that
Iran should take into account the opinion of millions of Azerbaijanis
and should not allow opening of Consulate General in Tabriz, where
there are few Armenians. This is a wrong step and may cause serious
protests of Azerbaijanis," he said.