PROTOCOL SCANDAL DELAYS PLAY OF AZERBAIJANI ANTHEM DURING ERDOGAN-LED CEREMONY

13:02, 18 Mar 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

An alleged protocol mistake delayed the play of Azerbaijan’s national
anthem during a landmark ceremony in eastern Turkish city of Kars in
an incident many described as a “scandal,” Today’s Zaman reports.

Azerbaijani anthem was supposed to be played after the country’s
president, Ilham Aliyev, finished his speech in Kars during the
opening ceremony of a school. After the Turkish anthem, officials as
well as Aliyev on the podium waited for some time for the Azerbaijani
anthem. As the Azerbaijani anthem didn’t play, Erdogan called the
protocol officials and scolded them.

The officials later sat and Aliyev had to return to his seat as the
anthem was never played. In the meantime, Education Minister Nabi
Avcı pulled out his phone, searched for the Azerbaijani anthem and
asked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ask his Azerbaijani
counterpart if the anthem was true. Aliyev then nodded to confirm.

Minutes later, Erdogan took the platform and said a “protocol mistake”
should be rectified. Azerbaijani anthem was then played. It was not
clear if the anthem was played through Avcı’s cell phone.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress