Category: News

Iran’s Khatami Pledges Closer Ties With Armenia
By Armen Zakarian and Ruzanna Khachatrian 09/09/2004 09:22
Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
Sept 9 2004
Iran’s President Mohammad Khatami described on Wednesday his country’s
relationship with Armenia as a benchmark of peaceful co-existence and
cooperation between neighbors on the first day of an official visit
to Yerevan where he was given a red-carpet reception.
Khatami was greeted at Yerevan airport by virtually all members of
Armenia’s ruling cabinet before going into talks with President Robert
Kocharian. The two leaders signed a framework treaty on bilateral
cooperation which they said will further strengthen political and
economic links between the two nations.
They also presided over the signing of several other agreements
covering the energy sector, customs administration and culture.
“The relationship between the Armenian and Iranian peoples can serve
as the best example for all those who want to live side by side and
respect each other’s sovereignty,” Khatami declared at an ensuing
joint news conference with Kocharian.
“We have felt obliged to establish and deepen relations with Armenia
since its independence,” he said. “Every year that followed 1991 saw
a further development of our relations. The agreements signed today
give us hope that they will continue to deepen in the future.”
“I declare that this relationship is to the benefit of the sides but
not to the detriment of anybody else,” Khatami added in an apparent
bid to allay concerns expressed by other regional states.
Neighboring Azerbaijan has been the most vocal critic of that
cooperation. Many Azerbaijani politicians openly accuse the
Islamic Republic of effectively siding with Christian Armenia in
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Iran has always denied such claims,
with Khatami stressing during a visit to Baku last month that Tehran
recognizes Azerbaijani sovereignty over the disputed region.
“We are ready to make every effort to help resolve crises existing
in the region, including Nagorno-Karabakh, and to contribute to
the establishment of a lasting peace and stability in the region,”
Khatami said in a speech at the Armenian parliament later in the day.
Iran is widely regarded in Armenia as a vital geopolitical partner
and having close ties with the Islamic Republic is among few subjects
of consensus in the Armenian political arena. The Armenian opposition
underlined this fact when deputies representing it briefly suspended
their boycott of parliament sessions to hear Khatami’s speech.
Kocharian, meanwhile, said that Armenia and Iran should pay
particular attention to developing their economic cooperation. He
singled out the energy sector where the two nations plan to implement
multimillion-dollar joint projects.
The biggest of them is the construction of a pipeline that will
ship Iranian natural gas to Armenia and possibly other countries. An
agreement on the implementation of the $120 million project was signed
by the two governments in Yerevan last May.
Armenia’s ambassador to Tehran, Gegham Gharibjanian, told RFE/RL this
week that work on the Iranian section of the pipeline is already
underway and will soon begin on the Armenian side. Energy Minister
Armen Movsisian had said earlier that the Armenian government will
receive a $30 million loan from Iran to finance the construction of
the Armenian section.
Despite the energy projects, the volume of Armenian-Iranian trade
has steadily declined in recent years and made up only 3.5 percent
of Armenia’s external commercial exchange last year.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
09/09/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Khatami Pays Respects to Armenian Genocide Victims 2) Russia Anxious to Resolve Karabagh Conflict Says Russian Ambassador 3) ARF's Mkrtchian Addresses Khatami Visit 4) ARF Representatives Meet with Iranian President 5) Russian Foreign Minister Says Tbilisi Impedes Cooperation 6) Correction 1) Khatami Pays Respects to Armenian Genocide Victims YEREVAN (Armenpress)--The President of Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Khatami, paid his respects to the victims of the Armenian genocide of 1915, as he placed flowers at Yerevan's Dzidzernagapert memorial in their honor. Armenia's chief of presidential staff Artashes Tumanian, Yerevan mayor Yervand Zakharian, Armenian deputy foreign minister Ruben Shugarian, and other high-ranking officials accompanied Khatami. The director of the Genocide Museum at Dzidzernagapert, Lavrenti Barseghian, briefed the Iranian president on the history of the museum, while employees presented him research work on the 1915 Armenian genocide, along with other momentos. 2) Russia Anxious to Resolve Karabagh Conflict Says Russian Ambassador BAKU (AzerTag)--Russia's outgoing ambassador to Azerbaijan Nikolay Ryabov, during a press conference marking the end of his tenure on Thursday, said that Russia is eager to find an immediate solution to the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. At a Wednesday meeting with the speaker of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (National Assembly) Murtuz Alasgarov--who insisted the conflict over Karabagh has placed serious obstacles for greater democratic reforms to be realized in Azerbaijan--the Russian ambassador said that there exists numerous long-running conflicts in the region, and Russia strives to resolve these issues. In the case of Mountainous Karabagh, Ryabov noted that Russia not only co-chairs the OSCE Minsk group, which is tasked with finding a resolution to the conflict, but is also the most authoritative country in the region to deal with the matter. He also revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated a meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia in Astana, Kazakhstan on September 16. 3) ARF's Mkrtchian Addresses Khatami Visit YEREVAN (Combined sources)--ARF leader Levon Mkrtchian said during a press conference on Thursday that ARF representatives and Iran's president Mohammad Khatami touched on the Mountainous Karabagh conflict during their meeting earlier in the day. Mkrtchian addressed Iran's support of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity saying that the ARF understands that no nation can oppose, in the international arena, the territorial integrity of another, "but there is also the right to self-determination," he added. "Thanks to that right, the Mountainous Karabagh Republic is an independent country today, and has never been a part of independent Azerbaijan." He explained that Iran is consistent in its readiness to serve as an impartial mediator. "We have always seen this," he added. Speaking of economic projects, including the gas pipeline that will link the two neighboring countries, Mkrtchian stressed the project serves both Armenia's political and economic interest. "Iran, however, has its interests too," he added. Khatami and his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian signed on Wednesday a framework treaty on the "principles and bases" of bilateral relations. They also formalized the release of a $30 million Iran loan to Yerevan to be used for the construction of a gas pipeline that will link the two neighboring countries. 4) ARF Representatives Meet with Iranian President YEREVAN (Yerkir)--An Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) delegation met with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami in Yerevan on Thursday, describing the president's official visit to Armenia as "a new stage" in Iranian-Armenian relations. ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian, Bureau member Albert Ajemian, ARF Armenia Supreme Body representative Armen Rustamian, and National Assembly's ARF faction leader Levon Mkrtchian represented the ARF who welcomed the Iranian president, reported the ARF press service. Margarian stressed to Khatami that the visit is significant not only for the advancement of Armenian-Iranian relations, but also for regional issues. Pointing to the projects that were conceived and agreements reached during the visit, Margarian conveyed confidence that this visit opens a new stage in the centuries-long friendship between the two nations. In turn, President Khatami presented his impressions of the visit, saying that Armenia plays a key role in the region, as well as a unique role throughout history. Addressing the role of the ARF, Khatami underscored its importance as a party and organization that unifies Armenians throughout the world and plays an important role in reinforcing political processes. 5) Russian Foreign Minister Says Tbilisi Impedes Cooperation TBILISI (Civil Georgia)--Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview in the Russian newspaper Vremya Novostei, that the Georgian side is hampering more close cooperation between Tbilisi and Moscow. "Cooperation between Russian and Georgian special services takes place [in fighting terrorism]. We would like for this cooperation to be more effective," Sergei Lavrov said in a September 9 interview. He expressed regret that ties between the two counties are not as close as was agreed to during talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili, which took place in Moscow in February this year. "Unfortunately, in practice, the agreements reached in February are being torpedoed by the Georgian side. We hope the Georgian side will understand that unilateral, forceful steps towards the so called Ossetian and Abkhazia problems have no perspective. I hope Tbilisi will understand that seeking an external enemy in the form of Russia is counterproductive, to say the least," the Russian Foreign Minister added. He reiterated that the Russian side "has offered Tbilisi proposals" aiming at "normalization of all... bilateral relations." Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling on the Georgian side to accept proposals offered by the Russian side. In a statement issued on August 27, however, the Georgian Foreign Ministry responded, saying that Georgia had not received any constructive proposals and "in order to publicly dispel any doubts," called on Russia to forward the package of constructive proposals to Georgian Authorities. Lavrov also stressed that Tbilisi should confirm its commitment to solve the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia through peaceful means. "Creation of this kind of normal environment in relations will increase efficiency of work of the special services [of the two countries] in fighting terrorism," Sergei Lavrov said. 6) Correction Iran's President Mohammad Khatami was elected president in August 1997, not May 1977 as reported by Asbarez on Wednesday. He was re-elected in 2001. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Pakistan Tribune, Pakistan
Sept 9 2004
The Crime at Beslan
Anwaar Hussain
Is it possible that a people who have lost everything may think they
have nothing more to live for, that a parent, who sees his children
blown to smithereens, loses love for others’ too? That it is blood
revenge, however unpardonable, that governs this mindless violence
rather than any thing else.
Let us state the obvious from the start without mincing any words.
The horrifying and tragic death of hundreds of blameless human beings
in the Beslan school tragedy, most of whom were innocent children, is
barbaric, unparalleled, inhuman and unpardonable. It is a crime of
heinous proportions and defies religion as equally as it does logic
and rationality.
Nothing, repeat nothing, justifies this despicable act of certain
individuals whatever their validation. Nor does it advance whatever
cause the militants are fighting for. Like the senseless killings in
Iraq, where innocent people – Muslim and non-Muslim – are being
murdered without a qualm, the crime at Beslan, too, will be viewed
with utter revulsion by the rest of the world. Any man, with even a
modicum of humanity, must condemn this horrendous act
unconditionally, categorically and unreservedly.
One does wonder though, as any thinking mind should, as to what
propelled the perpetrators to inflict a pain such as this? What led
them to take this horrendous leave from reason to commit an offence
that is as unpardonable as it is unthinkable? Could it be that they
themselves have been victims of similar atrocities? Or is it just a
one-time malfunction of their thinking faculties? Is it their
religion that exhorts them to indulge in some satanic rituals
offering human sacrifices to satiate the blood lust of their deity?
Or more unbelievably still, killing children is a pleasure pursuit in
which the Chechens indulge from time to time? I do not know.
What I do know is that the story of Chechen suffering is a long one.
In the early 19th century, independent Chechnya was conquered by
Russia after a long and bloody war. The heroic struggle of the
Chechen religious leader Imam Shamil and the inhuman conduct of the
Russian forces compelled the young Leo Tolstoy, who served in the
Russian Imperial Army in Chechnya in the 1840s, to resign in disgust
and write stories praising the Chechen leader.
What I do know is that in the 20th century Josef Stalin, the “Great
Father of the Nation” sought to purge the scourge in one go with the
religious and ethnic cleansing of the Northern Caucasus. He ordered
the deportation of an entire people on Feb. 23, 1944. This event is
to Chechens what the Holocaust is to the Jews or the genocide is to
the Armenians.
What I do know is that on that day, when Stalin packed the Chechen
population of 1 million into cattle cars and shipped them to the
wastes of Siberia and Central Asia, an indelible mark was forever
engraved on the collective memory of the Chechens.
What I do know is that blood-curdling stories of people crowded into
cattle cars without food, water, or bathrooms; corpses traveling with
children; the killing of protesters at the railway stations by KGB
guards, haunt the Chechens to this day. One-third of the population
died on the journey. Many others perished under the ruthless
conditions of exile.
What I do know is that more recently Chechnya was devastated by the
war in 1994-6, which left more than 80,000 dead. It watched in horror
as its basic infrastructures were again systematically destroyed.
Since September 1999, more than a third of the local population –
around 200,000 people – have been forced to flee the fighting and
seek a humiliating refuge in neighboring Ingushetia.
What I do know is that the world’s conscience was collectively
hibernating when a 12-year-old Chechen girl died of internal injuries
after being raped repeatedly by vodka guzzling Russian soldiers; when
a young pregnant woman had her body split open by machine gun fire
simply to check the effectiveness of that weapon from a certain
range, when an 84-year-old man had his throat slashed and was left to
die by the roadside, when a one-year old Chechen baby was impaled
with an AK-47’s bayonet as his mother was forced to watch on.
What I do know is that Chechnya has been reduced to a wasteland of
death and destruction. That the Chechen capital of Grozny does not
have a single building left intact after heavy bombing in a campaign
Russia dubbed as “the liberation of Grozny.” That human rights
violation are tremendous, as evidenced by many television broadcasts
that showed grisly footage of Russian soldiers piling mutilated
Chechen bodies into mass graves and that this is only the tip of the
iceberg.
What I do know is that countless villages in southern Chechnya have
been completely razed to the ground and the economy of Chechnya is
non-existent, that the Russian army is intent upon ridding Chechnya
of all its civilians and completely taking over the land once and for
all.
What I do know is that when a people declare its independence, a
central state can either let them go or beat them into submission.
But in the case of Chechnya, and adjacent Ingushetia, we have seen
some of both.
What I do know is that the Kremlin has done a brilliant job of
convincing the world that Chechens are bandits and terrorists despite
the fact that Putin’s own predecessors have gone down in history as
the biggest mass murderers of their own citizens. Stalin and Lenin
together caused the death of more than 30 million Russian citizens in
the first half of the 20th century alone.
What I do know is that with the misery it visited upon humanity, the
political creed of his forefathers is known as the most dreadful
thing ever to have hit the human race, without exception, even worse
than both world wars, the slave trade and bubonic plague all put
together.
What I do know, and with a sense of ominous foreboding, is that the
recent threats that Putin is hurling all around are bringing back
ghastly images from the past when horrific concentration camps had
been built in Russia aimed at imprisoning all Chechen males between
15-60 years of ages.
What I do know is that an international correspondent Eric Margolis
did once write, “We begin the 21st century watching silently as a
brutish Russia, which knows neither shame nor mercy crushes the life
out of a tiny but heroic people who refuse to bend their knees to
Moscow’s tyranny.”
Is it possible that a people who have lost everything may think they
have nothing more to live for, that a parent, who sees his children
blown to smithereens, loses love for others’ too? That it is blood
revenge, however unpardonable, that governs this mindless violence
rather than any thing else.
I do not know but I wonder.

Iran gives Armenia $30 mln-loan for gas pipeline
IranMania News, Iran
Sept 9 2004
LONDON, Sep 9 (IranMania) – Iran has extended a 30-million-dollar
(25-million-euro) loan to Armenia to build a gas pipeline between the
two countries, Armenian President Robert Kotcharian said on Wednesday.
According to Agence France Press (AFP), the loan should enable Yerevan
to finance the 41 kilometres of the 141-kilometre (88-mile) pipeline
that cross Armenian territory, Kocharian told journalists after a
meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Khatami.
The construction contract has been awarded to Iranian company Sanir.
Iran and Armenia signed a contract in May, under which Iran will
supply Armenia with a total of 36 bln cubic metres of gas over a
20-year period, expected to start in early 2007.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 9 2004
LESSONS OF HISTORY IN NEW MONOGRAPH
[September 09, 2004, 14:29:52]
The 3rd volume of the monograph “Azerbaijan Policy of Large States
During World War I /1914-1918/” by Doctor of History, Prof. Musa
Gasymly has been issued. The publication may be described as the
author’s practical realization of the task to study deeply 20th
century Azerbaijan history.
The book contains documents, photos and maps kept in archives and
libraries in Azerbaijan, USA, Germany, Great Britain and other
countries. The long-term research has allowed the scholar to throw
light on the obscure pages of the one of the heaviest and most
complicated periods of the Azerbaijan history by studying the factors
conditioned the large states’ policy towards the country in 1914-1018,
and their plans concerning North and South Azerbaijan.
While reading the book, one can take a clear view of the attempts
by Turkish diplomacy to involve European states in liberation of
Azerbaijan from colonial oppression, Russia’s fight against Islamists
and Turkists, role of the Armenians in this struggle, Antanta member
states’ support for separation of the South Caucasus from Russia,
confrontation at the Caucasian Seym, Turkish Army’s offensive in the
Caucasus and other historical, diplomatic and political events.
The documents presented including secret diplomatic correspondence
allow a modern reader to realize the today’s role of the leading
countries in the socio-political and economic life in our independent
republic, find out the reason for the double standards policy towards
our country. Azerbaijan has always been in the past and will continue
to be the point of collision of the large states’ interests. They use
every possible means to reach their goals, history repeats itself,
it only remains for us to infer from its lessons, the book says.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR HOLDS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
[September 09, 2004, 19:06:15]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 9 2004
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Azerbaijan Nikolay Ryabov
held a press conference on the occasion of completions of his tenure.
Expressing gratitude to the country’s leadership and people for the aid
– 7,5 tons of medicines – Azerbaijan had rendered to those suffered
from the terrorist act in Beslan. Even though Azerbaijan itself has
hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Armenian occupation who
also need assistance, he said.
Speaking on his activity in Azerbaijan, Mr. Ryabov noted that during
his tenure, relations between Azerbaijan and Russia had been expanded
in all spheres. The today’s high level of bilateral cooperation has
been ensured thanks to personal friendly links between Mr. Heydar
Aliyev and Mr. Vladimir Putin, the diplomat said. He also stressed
that Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin also maintain close
contact and regularly exchange views on many issues of mutual interest.
Ambassador Ryabov expressed hope that Azerbaijan-Russia links and
strategic partnership would be further developed and strengthened
thanks to political will of the heads of the two states.
He also expressed gratefulness for the fine conditions created here
for him during his mission.
Touching on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, the Ambassador stated that Russia is very interested in
urgent solution to the problem, and wishes all the refugees return
to their native lands.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Khatami stresses expansion of ties with Armenia
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami of Iran here
Wednesday evening underlined the need for further expansion of
Iran-Armenia cooperation.
In a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, he
stressed that Iran and Armenia share identical views on many regional
and international issues.
He called for promotion of Tehran-Yerevan relations in the energy,
gas and communications sectors and said that bolstering bilateral
ties in those areas would pave the way for expansion of commercial
cooperations among regional states.
The Iranian president further called for settlement of peace in the
entire region and underlined the need to solve the existing problems
facing regional countries.
Turning to vast economic potentials in both Iran and Armenia, Khatami
called for promotion of foreign investments in the two countries.
For his part, the Armenian premier stressed the importance of
Iran-Armenia political ties and lauded the great efforts made by
the Islamic Republic of Iran to establish peace and stability in
the region.
Expressing his satisfaction with the current level of Tehran-Yerevan
political ties, he called for expansion of economic cooperation
between the two countries.
President Khatami, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived here
Wednesday morning on the first leg of a tri-nation regional tour
which will also take him to Belarus and Tajikistan.
Khatami`s official visit to Armenia is taking place in response to
an official visit by President Robert Kocharian to Iran in 2001.
The visit, it is believed, could open new phases of cooperation
between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and
Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President
Khatami on this regional tour.

Deep Iran-Armeniaties basis for new relations: Khatami
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Tehran, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami said here Thursday
that deep-rooted ties between Iran and Armenia would be the basis
for establishing new mutual relations in cultural, economic and
social fields.
Addressing Iranians residing in Armenia, Khatami pointed to expansion
of Persian linguistics in Armenia, saying this indicates strong
historical bonds between the two countries.
“The Armenian people have safeguarded their identity particularly
during the 70-year communist rule and Armenians residing in Iran are
present in various fields vigilantly,” he added.
The Armenian government and nation are on the path of progress and
economic, scientific and commercial ties between Tehran and Yerevan
can facilitate development of the two countries.
Prior to President Khatami`s remarks, Iran`s Ambassador to Armenia
Alireza Raeisian presented a report on the status of Iranians residing
in Armenia.

Khatami leaves Yerevan for Belarus
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami wrapped up his
two-day visit to Armenia on Thursday and left for Belarus, seen off
at he Yerevan airport by his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian.
A group of senior Armenian officials were present at the airport to
see off the Iranian president. Before his departure, both presidents
reviewed the guard of honor.
Khatami`s visit to Armenia made in response to Kocharian`s 2001 visit
to Tehran is said to have opened a new chapter in bilateral ties.
During his stay in Yerevan, Khatami met and conferred with Kocharian,
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdarsian and Prime Minister
Andranik Markarian.
In a meeting between visiting President Mohammad Khatami and his
Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian on the final day of Khatami`s
two-day visit to Armenia, the two sides stressed the need for upgrading
the level of Tehran-Yerevan ties which are based on deep-rooted
friendship between the two nations.
The two sides called for continuation of regular consultations between
the two countries` officials.
During Khatami`s visit to Armenia, which took place at the invitation
of Kocharian, the two presidents discussed various aspects
of mutual relations as well as prospects of cooperation in an
atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect. The two sides also
exchanged views on key regional and international developments.
Khatami and Kocharian assessed as very good the outcome of 5th
meeting of Iran-Armenia joint economic commission and expressed hope
that implementation of the memoranda of understanding signed by the
two countries and effective activities of the commission would boost
bilateral cooperation between economic and transportation sectors of
both states and increase volume of mutual trade.
They cited construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, Kajaran tunnel,
hydroelectric power plant on Aras river and a number of other
joint ventures as among factors effective in promoting regional
cooperation.
The two presidents termed the current regional and international
situation as sensitive and welcomed restoration of peace, stability
and sustainable security to the region.
They assessed the Iranian president`s initiative of dialogue among
civilizations and consensus among all countries as an effective factor
for consolidation of friendship and understanding among nations.
Iran and Armenia stressed the important role of the United Nations
and other international organizations in strengthening peace and
security across the globe.
The two sides also exchanged views on the campaign against terrorism,
organized crimes and narcotic drugs and underlined the determination
of their respective countries to counter them. President Mohammad
Khatami arrived in Yerevan Wednesday on the first leg of his regional
tour which will also take him to Belarus and Tajikistan.
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and
Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President
Khatami in his regional tour.
Iranian and Armenian economic delegations, in the presence of Mohammad
Khatami and Robert Kocharian here Wednesday signed seven agreements
on energy cooperation.
The contracts envisages mutual cooperation in field of energy,
constructing a wind farm in Armenia, procedure for customs agreement,
financing the laying of a 40 kilometer gas pipeline in Armenia.

Police thwart picket outside German embassy
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 9 2004
Baku, September 8, AssA-Irada
The Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (WAPFP) members held another
action in protest against the planned arrival of Armenian officers to
Baku to attend NATO exercises outside the German embassy on Wednesday.
The police prevented the protesters from approaching the embassy
building.
10 party members were detained and taken to the Sabayil district
police department, including Ali Jafarov, a nominee for additional
parliamentary elections.
The detained protesters were released an hour later. The adviser
to the WAPFP chairman said the party intends to continue pickets in
front of embassies of NATO member-states in Baku.*