TWO JOURNALISTS’ ACCESS TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH SPARKS TENSION

armradio.am
28.09.2009 12:20

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,
the Hurriyet Daily News reported.

In the diplomatic note extended to Turkey via the Turkish Embassy
in Baku, Azerbaijani officials raised concerns over the Turkish
journalists’ travel to Nagorno Karabakh. "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 a n 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."