TOP AZERI OFFICIAL DISMISSES RICE’S DEMOCRACY REMARKS AS "UNSERIOUS"
Azad Azarbaycan TV
May 3 2008
Azerbaijan
A top Azerbaijani official has dismissed as "unserious" US Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rices’ remarks about the state of democracy
in Azerbaijan.
Ramiz Mehdiyev, head of the presidential administration, also appeared
to be ridiculing Rice’s statement that Azerbaijan needs to do more
to improve its democracy than neighbouring Armenia does.
"According to Condoleezza Rice’s logic, the February-March events in
Armenia should be repeated in Azerbaijan before she can say anything
positive about Azerbaijan," Azad Azarbaycan TV showed Mehdiyev telling
reporters. "I view this as an unserious statement."
Mehdiyev was referring to Armenia’s post-election clashes that left
10 people dead.
He said that Azerbaijan would "follow its path" despite pressures
from international organisations.
Mehdiyev also promised that the forthcoming 15 October presidential
election would be held in a "normal, transparent, democratic
atmosphere".