DEPUTY ASSISTANT OF US SECRETARY OF STATE: "AZERBAIJAN IS A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF TOLERANCE"
Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 7 2007
"I am deeply impressed by the level of tolerance between ethnic
and religious groups in Azerbaijan. It is a splendid example of
tolerance", Colleen Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
Public Diplomacy, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs U.S.
Department of State said at the meeting in State Management Academy
at Azerbaijani President’s Office.
"Changes in a country depend on the way of benefiting from oil
revenues. Much depend on whether these revenues are used by a group
of people to make fortune, or used for development of education,
health sector, society, infrastructure, construction of parks,
entertainment centers," she underlined.
Ms. Graffy also touched upon the problems regarding Iran.
"The problem is related to confidence. International community calls on
Iran to give up nuclear research. We have invited Iranian authorities
to cooperate with international community on this issue," she said.
Commenting on the alleged Armenian genocide the Deputy Assistant
Secretary stated that genocide problems are discussed all over the
world not only in Armenia.
"These problems should be investigated by historians not by
politicians. These are very painful issues. The truth should be
revealed, only then the society will develop, the injuries will
recover," Ms. Graffy said.
Commenting on the US stance on financing of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars project, the Deputy Assistant Secretary
noted that official Washington does not finance every project.
"The Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars is one of these projects. But,
it should not be understood that the US is not going to finance other
projects in Azerbaijan," she said, APA reports.
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