Safarov’s release is a dangerous signal to the whole world. The New York Times
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: The latest incidents have increased the tension in Caucasian region. Armenpress reports citing the New York Times, noting that the first thing was the extradition of Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan by Hungarian authorities. 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. Apart from the fact that such a step is an affront to basic notions of justice and the rule of law, even more troubling is the message that it sends to the rest of the world: that the Azerbaijani government thinks it is acceptable to kill Armenians. Apparently, the grievances they suffered in their defeat by Armenian forces in 1992-94 are so profound that even murder is excusable. It is hard, then, to ask the Armenians living in Karabakh to quietly accept the idea that the solution to their disputed territory is for them to return to living under Azerbaijani rule.
In the conclusion of authoritative American newspaper 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. Apparently it is standard protocol for U.S. ambassadors to include this stop in their round of duties when arriving in Baku. Photographs also clearly showed the ambassador bowing his head before the monument, though a State Department spokesman later denied this.
Mr. Morningstar’s far from empty gesture sent two wrong signals.
First, it is disheartening to democratic activists to see the United States so cravenly supporting dictatorship as a suitable form of rule, a pattern all too familiar from U.S. policy toward the entire Middle East.
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.
- Orban is still blamed for Safarov’s extradition
Hungary should follow its own interests rather than those of Armenia or Azerbaijan. Orban - Australia disappointed about Safarov extradition
"The Australian Government is disappointed by the decision of President Aliyev to pardon Safarov", stated in the letter. - Conressman Berman calls on Secretary Clinton to suspend Azerbaijan's participation in
NATO's PfP program
Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman sent a letter to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concerning the extradition and pardon of a convicted murderer Ramil Safarov. - Swedish MPs send a letter to the Hungarian Embassy in Stockholm
''At the same time we hope that Your Government will takes decisive measures for reprimanding Baku for their breach of international laws, endangering the fragile peace process of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as for having dishonored the agreement made between the Justice Departments of respective country'' stated in the letter. - Murder should be condemned, not rewarded: Harold Albrecht
''These developments are of real concern to Canada, and in particular to Canadians of Armenian descent who want peace in their homeland'' stated Kitchener-Conestoga MP.