PEOPLES’ FRIENDSHIP UNIVERSITY OF RUSSIA PREVENTS CLASH BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI STUDENTS

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 2 2008

Russia, Moscow, 2 May / Trend News .corr.R.Agaev / The Peoples’
Friendship Festival ‘Planet of South and West’, which is usually
held in the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (PFUR) on 1 May,
was cancelled due to a possible mass clash between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani students, a student from PFUR reported to TrendNews.

According to the student, the reason for the clash was caused by
an Azerbaijani song being produced by an Armenian music band on the
stage of the University. The band introduced the song as belonging to
the Armenians. Azerbaijani students, who were seated near the stage,
immediately retaliated and took the Azerbaijani and Turkish flags and
began condemning the Armenians for stealing the national and cultural
values of the Azerbaijani nation.

The Armenians responded with abusive words against the Azerbaijanis
and plastic bottles were thrown at the Azerbaijani students. Later,
in order to prevent any further provocation, the human rights activists
attempted to disperse the Azerbaijani and Armenian students.

One of the black students came onto the stage and called for the
Armenian and Azerbaijani students to convey friendship and mutual
understanding towards each other. The PFUR Rector office representative
also called for the Armenians and Azerbaijanis to restore order and
to continue the ceremony. However, despite this the Armenian and
Azerbaijani students continued to clash which was finally broken up
after police interference.

Members of the law enforcement and emergency situations prevented
a further clash by escorting the Armenian students to the Belayevo
metro station nearby and the Azerbaijani students were sent in a
different direction.

In 2007, during the same holiday, Azerbaijani sportsman, Agali Alishev,
was amongst the participants and was injured during a similar clash
which took place between the Armenian and Azerbaijani students.

According to a witness, there were about 500 Armenians and they were
attempting to be provocative. There were only 100 or 150 Azerbaijani
students. According to an Azerbaijani student, the Armenians constantly
attempt similar provocations against Azerbaijanis and then attempt
to present themselves as the victims.

"We call upon the Russian departments to put an end to similar unfair
action by Armenians, which is directed to arouse international
hostility in Russia. We, as Azerbaijani citizens are prepared to
liberate the Azerbaijani occupied territories by the Armenians and
we will never permit Armenians to offend the national cultural values
of Azerbaijan," the Azerbaijani student stated.

One of the Armenian student stated that he witnessed the detention of
four Armenian students by the Russian police. However, no information
of the arrested was publicized.