BAKU: Construction of Russian Orthodox Church in NK is disrespect

Trend, Azerbaijan
June 21 2010

State Committee: Construction of Russian Orthodox Church in
Azerbaijani occupied territories is disrespect for international law
and territorial integrity of country

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 21 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva /

The construction of the Russian Orthodox Church and the laying of the
foundation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan – in Khankendi is
disrespect for international law and territorial integrity of our
country, the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations
spokesman Saleh Aslanov said.

Official representative of the Committee said that laying of the
foundation of “God’s House” in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is recognized
as the occupied territory by international organizations and world
public, without official permission of Azerbaijan and with the
assistance of the heads of the separatist regime, is not justified by
either secular or divine canons.

“Those, who commit it, are responsible not only to international laws,
but also before God,”Aslanov said.

World religions are representatives and defenders of peace, stability
and justice. Their religious leaders must realize their historical
responsibility. They must not be together with aggressors, the
spokesman said.

“Otherwise, it will not give a great image for so influential
religious structure, as the Russian Orthodox Church and the faith
represented by millions of followers,” Aslanov said.

An event to lay the foundation of the Russian Orthodox Church of the
Protection of the Blessed Virgin was held in the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan June 18.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.

From: A. Papazian