CRAMER: SITUATION IN AZERBAIJAN MAY COME OUT OF CONTROL

Panorama.am
15:53 19/04/2010

Forum on democracy in Azerbaijani-American ties was held in John
Hopkins University organized by AZAD organization, Turan news agency
reported. High ranking officials, writers, experts and journalists
have attended the forum.

"If democracy and freedom of speech are deeply tensed in Azerbaijan
the situation may come out of any control and may have unwilling
development," David Cramer former deputy U.S. State Secretary stated.

The former official said Azerbaijani authorities ignore the democratic
and freedom calls of the international community.

Cramer said Azerbaijan’s Aliyev should be pressed on to cancel
making changing in the law on NGO-s, to discharge the reporters and
to restore the broadcasting of foreign radios.

Cramer said whenever the topic of democracy in Azerbaijan is discussed;
Azerbaijan pushes forward Karabakh issue and accuses the international
community for having double standards: "It’s not normal," he said.

American representative of "Reporters without borders" organization
accused Azerbaijan for rejecting dialogues on mass media. "When our
reporters visit Azerbaijan, neither of their officials want to host
them," Clotild de Clause said.

The claims against the arrested Azerbaijani bloggers were named
"nonsense". "Those accuses are invented," official said. It was stated
that the USA should not only try to restore the broadcasting license
of foreign radios but should try to contribute to local mass media.

AZAD organization highly recommended to adopt a tougher disposition
towards Azerbaijan particularly its democracy.