POLITICS

AMBASSADOR OF AZERBAIJAN PRESENTS FACTS TO US PRO-ARMENIAN CONGRESSMEN

13.01.2006 [19:25]
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The ambassador of Azerbaijan to USA Hafiz Pashayev has in writing answered the next spiteful pro-Armenian applications of the co-chairmen of working group on the Armenian issues in Congress Jo Nollenberg and Frank Pallone, representatives New Jersey and Michigan states. It should be reminded that these congressmen in the letter widespread in the last month have put forward a myth that ostensibly the government of Azerbaijan purposely destroys tombstones concerning Middle Ages on the Armenian cemetery in city of Julfa, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Congressmen in the claims refer on the videotape shot by the Armenians. Mr. Pashayev has expressed regret that members of the Congress of the USA have not checked up reliability of this information. The ambassador has noted, that in videotape taken for basis of the letter of congressmen, shown, how a number of unknown persons destroy some stones. On them, it is not visible any signs of cross, and the national identity of these persons is not clear either. Therefore, the videotape can be referred to any person. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan officially rejected these claims.

The diplomat has reminded, that Azerbaijan during Millennium is a society basing on a rich ethnic and historical heritage, including also Armenian sources. Today, in Azerbaijan live about 30 thousand Armenians, the Ambassador underlines. The country gives great value to protection in its territory of thousand monuments of history, culture and architecture. But Armenia has transformed destruction on the occupied Azerbaijan lands of historical and cultural monuments into a component of its policy. This was confirmed as well by OSCE mission on investigation of illegal settlement of the Armenians on the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Ambassador Pashayev has declared, that the Armenian side, not for the first time puts forward unreasonable claims, tries to distract attention from all bloodsheds committed by it in the Azerbaijan territories.

The Azerbaijan diplomat in the appeal to congressmen has emphasized, that he shares their concern connected with protection and preservation of monuments, concerning to historical and cultural heritage, and hopes, that the facts presented to the American legislators about destructive barbarity of the Armenians, will interest them. Ambassador Pashayev lists some similar facts in the letter: as a result of the long policy pursued in the direction of destruction of historical and cultural monuments of Azerbaijan, the Armenians have completely destroyed in Iravan Khanate 1587 mosques and 23 medreses, in Zangezur and Echmiadzin regions - 830 mosques and 1394 medreses, in territory of Armenia have wiped out more than 500 Azeri cemeteries or have transformed them into warehouses. Its exhibits, historical museums of Shusha, Agdam, , destroyed historical museum of Kelbejer and all its exhibits, the museum of stone monuments in Zangilan region, in Shusha - damaged the two-minaret mosque of Govhar Aga, concerning to 18th century, destroyed and burnt other mosques on occupied territories. As a result of barbarity of the Armenians, in Khojaly, the historical monument concerning the bronze period erased, on occupied territories valuable books and manuscripts stolen, 4 theatres, 4 picture galleries, 2 concert halls, 1852 centers of culture and arts, have been completely destroyed 969 libraries, 85 children's musical schools, 4 theatres, 4 picture galleries, 2 concert halls, 1852 centers of culture and arts.

Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev waits for the congressmen’s answer in regard with the mentioned facts.