Hurriyet Daily News

Two journalists’ access to Nagorno-Karabakh sparks tension

Sunday, September 27, 2009

ANKARA ` Hürriyet Daily News

Two Turkish journalists’ access to Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway
region of Azerbaijan contested by Armenia, has led to diplomatic
tension between Baku and Ankara.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry handed a diplomatic note of protest
to Turkey on the grounds that a Turkish television team had gained
access to the disputed region by securing visas from `the Foreign
Ministry of the unrecognized administration’ in Nagorno-Karabakh,
according to reports.

In response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a surprising written
statement that casts blame on the journalists. `The actions of our
members of the press do not comply with Turkey’s policies and are by
no means legal,’ said the statement released over the weekend.

In the diplomatic note extended to Turkey via the Turkish Embassy in
Baku, Azerbaijani officials raised concerns over the Turkish
journalists’ travel to the occupied territory. `These actions by the
Turkish journalists led to deep feeling of sorrow on the Azerbaijani
side,’ said the note, urging Turkish officials to take necessary
measures and prohibit the broadcast.

In the written statement, Turkey said it shares the sensitivities of
Azerbaijan regarding the territory under dispute.

While criticizing the journalists, the ministry also made an appeal to
Azerbaijan: `Similar news-reporting activities of our members of the
press should be evaluated within the framework of the principles
governing press freedom. We are sure that our brotherly Azerbaijani
authorities will make this distinction.’