ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Sept 4 2009

Official accuses foreign media of efforts to spoil Azeri-Turkish ties

[Presenter] The circulation of misinformation and false articles and
reports about Azerbaijan in the Turkish media gives rise to some
concern when talks on the establishment of diplomatic ties are under
way between Turkey and Armenia. The head of the foreign relations
department of the Azerbaijani presidential administration, Novruz
Mammadov, has said in an interview to ANS TV. He said that the
circulation of inaccurate reports is aimed at delivering a blow to
Azerbaijani-Turkish ties.

[Correspondent over video of scenes from Turkey and Armenia] The
publication of false reports on Azerbaijan in the Turkish media when
talks on normalizing ties between Turkey and Armenia are under way
extremely surprised me. The head of the foreign relations department
of the Azerbaijani presidential administration, Novruz Mammadov, has
said this in an interview with ANS TV. He said that the circulation of
similar reports at this sensitive moment might cause confusion in
Azerbaijani and Turkish societies.

[Mammadov speaking at his office] I saw [this] with great surprise at
the website of the Bu Gun paper, which is published in Turkey. It
notes that the Azerbaijani president allegedly cut short his visit to
Georgia, returned to Azerbaijan, and convened an extraordinary session
of the Milli Majlis immediately after Azerbaijan heard about steps on
the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border. I think such events may
confuse Turkish and Azerbaijani societies.

[Correspondent] Mammadov said that Bu Gun paper’s report on the visit
of Azerbaijani MPs to Turkey precisely in connection with the latest
issues was wide of the mark. The MPs’ visit was planned two months
ago. No other implication should be sought here. However, the Bu Gun
paper, which is published in Turkey, is not the only media outlet
wishing to cool ties and strategic partnership between Baku and
Ankara. Russia’s pro-Armenian Regnum news agency also disseminates
misinformation.

[Mammadov] From time to time, … [changes tack] This is the website
of a person serving the Armenians and their religion and feeding on
them. From time to time [presumably, the agency] writes false,
slanderous, and biased reports. Taking advantage of this moment today,
they want to cool Turkish-Azerbaijani ties, they want to cause some
confusion and conflict in Turkish-Azerbaijani ties. However, they will
never achieve this.

[Correspondent] The Azerbaijani official called on the country’s
public not to be concerned over inaccurate reports in the foreign
media.