NAGORNO KARABAKH IS ARMENIAN LAND, CLAIMS TURKISH JOURNALIST VISITING OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES

APA
Nov 16 2009
Azerbaijan

Yerevan – APA. Correspondent of the Aksam newspaper of Turkey Nagehan
Alci visited Nagorno Karabakh, the occupied territory of Azerbaijan,
APA reports.

Nagehan Alci, who visited Nagorno Karabakh through Armenia, claimed
that these territories are Armenian lands. Giving interview to
Armenia’s Public Television the journalist said: "We, people living in
Turkey, made a mistake. Karabakh is one hundred percent the Armenian
territory and we have understood that you are persistent enough in
not ceding these lands," he said.

The journalist said he intended to see Nagorno Karabakh his own eyes
and make a report about the life of "Karabakh people".

"I offered the editor-in-chief to send me to Karabakh and received a
positive reply. Turkey is also interested in the territorial dispute
around Nagorno Karabakh. What I saw here dispelled my doubts about
the past and future of Karabakh. Stepanakert made a great impression
on us and we intend to come here again," he said.

Commenting on Turkey-Armenia relations, Nagehan Alci said they want
the borders to open.

"But Nagorno Karabakh problem is one of the major obstacles for the
this process. Our government has stated that the borders will not be
opened, unless Karabakh conflict is solved. Time will show," he said.

Asked whether his visit to Nagorno Karabakh will cause dissatisfaction
in Azerbaijan, Nagehan Alci said he supposes so.

"We try to be unbiased, characterize the region and write about the
real situation. Maybe, we will be announced persona non grata, but
I do not want to hurt anybody in Azerbaijan. This is my work, I am
a journalist and my profession requires being everywhere," he said.

Nagehan Alci said he will also visit Shusha and make a report there.

Spokesman for Foreign Ministry Elkhan Polukhov told APA that
Azerbaijani embassy in Turkey is carrying out investigation concerning
the visit of the Aksam correspondent to the occupied territories.