Azerbaijan threatens with cut of investments in Mexico over removal of
Heydar Aliyev’s statue
arminfo
Saturday, November 24, 12:39
Azerbaijan is ready to suspend implementation of investments projects
in the amount of up to $4 billion in Mexico if the local authorities
adopt a decision to remove Heydar Aliyev’s statue from the Reforma
boulevard in the center of Mexico, Azerbaijani Ambassador Ilgar Yusif
oglu Mukhtarov told RIA Novosti.
Commission of Intellectuals recommended Friday that Mexico City’s
government remove a life- size bronze statue of Azerbaijan’s former
president that provoked a storm of criticism after it was installed on
the capital’s main boulevard, AP reports.
The Stalinesque statue of the late Geidar Aliyev was erected by the
Azerbaijani Embassy, which paid for the renovation of part of the city
park where it sits and other public works totaling about $5 million.
Aliyev has been criticized for repressing opponents and critics.
The commission of three writers and analysts appointed by the city
government said authorities erred by accepting money to allow a
foreign government to essentially decide which political figures or
historic events should be commemorated in the capital’s public spaces.
The city government’s press office said authorities hadn’t made a
decision yet on whether to follow the commission’s recommendation.
Mayor Marcelo Ebrard was somewhat evasive, saying, “We are going to
review it carefully … and we will reply.”
“If the statue is removed, this will surely lead to deterioration of
relations between Azerbaijan and Mexico. The investments will be cut.
The most extreme
measure will be closing of the embassy,” Mukharov said.
He said that if a better place for the statue is offered, Azerbaijan
may agree. “So far we are acting on the legal basis, for the
agreement on placement of the statue on the Reforma boulevard was
signed by the federal government, the city authorities and the
embassy,” he said. As for the investments in Mexico, the ambassador
said Azerbaijan invests in implementation of a range of projects in
the sphere of energy, alternative energy, water supply and
construction.