RAMIL SAFAROV’S EXTRADITION ‘COULD UNDO THE PATIENT EFFORTS OF DIPLOMATS’ – THE NEW YORK TIMES
tert.am
11.09.12
The world press goes on discussing the extradition of Ramil Safarov
to Azerbaijan.
An article entitled ‘Two Steps Backwards in the Caucasus’ published
by the New York Times particularly reads:
“In recent days there have been two symbolic events that run the
danger of igniting hostilities in an already tense neighborhood of
the Caucasus.
“On Aug. 31 a former Azerbaijan Army lieutenant, Ramil Safarov, flew
back to Baku after serving eight years in a Budapest jail for killing
Gurgen Margarian in 2004. The victim, an Armenian officer, had been a
fellow participant in a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise. Safarov
hacked him to death in his sleep with an ax.
“The Hungarian government transferred the prisoner to Azerbaijan
on the understanding that he would serve out the rest of his life
sentence in his home country. But immediately upon his arrival in
Baku, Lieutenant Safarov was pardoned by President Ilham Aliyev,
restored to military duties, promoted to major, given an apartment and
awarded back pay for his time in prison. These actions drew universal
condemnation from Washington, Moscow and European governments.
“This one single act could undo the patient efforts of diplomats
and activists over many years to try to rebuild connections and work
toward mutual trust – without which any kind of peace settlement will
be a pipe dream.
“Compounding the problem was a less significant but still noteworthy
gesture. On Sept. 3, Richard Morningstar, the new U.S. ambassador to
Azerbaijan, paid his respects to Heidar Aliyev, the deceased former
president (and father of the incumbent), by laying a wreath at his
statue in central Baku…
“Mr. Morningstar’s far from empty gesture sent two wrong signals.
“First, it is disheartening to Azerbaijani democratic activists to see
the United States so cravenly supporting dictatorship as a suitable
form of rule…
“Second, it signals to Armenia – and its principal ally, Russia –
that the United States is an unqualified backer of the Azerbaijani
government, warts and all. Strategic interests – Caspian oil, access
to Central Asia, containment of Iran – count for more than the niceties
of human rights and democratic procedure…
“What we need in the Caucasus are leaders willing to follow the
examples of Mr. Brandt and Mr. Putin, with the courage to show
contrition and a willingness to meet with their former adversary and
figure out a way to live together. We may be in for a long wait,”
the author concludes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2012/09/12/ramil-safarovs-extradition-could-undo-the-patient-efforts-of-diplo/
