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AZERBAIJAN MAY CLOSE ITS EMBASSY IN MEXICO
http://times.am/?l=en&p=15390
The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Mexico has threatened that should a
statue of Azerbaijani dictator Heydar Aliyev be removed from a popular
park in Mexico City then Baku will close its embassy in Mexico.
"If the monument is removed, it will undoubtedly lead to a sharp
deterioration in relations between Azerbaijan and Mexico, including
closure of investments and the most extreme measure - closing of the
embassy itself," Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Mexico Ilgar Mukhtarov
stated.
He also was quick to claim that the Armenian community of Mexico was
marshalling the opposition to the statue.
Over the summer, Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard unveiled the statue
at the main park in the city after Baku reportedly paid $10 million
for renovation and landscaping.
The large bronze statue has not only been an eyesore for many
Mexicans, but also a source of contention for activists and press who
have objected to having a statue of a known despot adorn their city
and in the very park that also houses monuments to Mahatma Gandhi and
Abraham Lincoln.
After complaints from citizens, the mayor appointed a committee to
probe the matter. The committee recommended on Friday that the stature
be removed.
"In addition to Mexico, I represent Azerbaijan in six other countries
of the Latin American region, I can theoretically move to one of these
states, in the case of the decision to move the monument," explained
Mukhtarov.
He said if another location if offered by the government, there will
be room for discussion.
"If we are suggested a better place, then we can agree, but currently
we are acting in a lawful manner, as the agreement on the placement of
the monument to Heydar Aliyev on the boulevard was signed by the
federal government, city authorities and the Embassy," Mukhtarov said.
Muktarov also said Azerbaijan would cancel $4 billion in investment
projects for Mexico.
Ebrard, for whom the entire episode has been a major embarrassment,
said he would study the recommendations, according to Los Angeles
Times.
"If Ebrard decides to remove the monument, we will cancel the
projects, close the embassy, it would hurt the relationship between
the two countries, and it would not be good for his image to be the
person who prevented a $4-billion investment," the ambassador was
quoted as saying.
The issue of the statue, as well as an earlier Mexican Senate decision
to adopt pro-Azerbaijani legislation was a topic of discussion when
Armenia's Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian made his fist visit to
Mexico.
In talks with federal authorities, including the foreign minister,
Nalbandian raised Armenia's concerns over these developments.
28.11.12, 11:28
http://times.am/?l=en&p=15390
The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Mexico has threatened that should a
statue of Azerbaijani dictator Heydar Aliyev be removed from a popular
park in Mexico City then Baku will close its embassy in Mexico.
"If the monument is removed, it will undoubtedly lead to a sharp
deterioration in relations between Azerbaijan and Mexico, including
closure of investments and the most extreme measure - closing of the
embassy itself," Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Mexico Ilgar Mukhtarov
stated.
He also was quick to claim that the Armenian community of Mexico was
marshalling the opposition to the statue.
Over the summer, Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard unveiled the statue
at the main park in the city after Baku reportedly paid $10 million
for renovation and landscaping.
The large bronze statue has not only been an eyesore for many
Mexicans, but also a source of contention for activists and press who
have objected to having a statue of a known despot adorn their city
and in the very park that also houses monuments to Mahatma Gandhi and
Abraham Lincoln.
After complaints from citizens, the mayor appointed a committee to
probe the matter. The committee recommended on Friday that the stature
be removed.
"In addition to Mexico, I represent Azerbaijan in six other countries
of the Latin American region, I can theoretically move to one of these
states, in the case of the decision to move the monument," explained
Mukhtarov.
He said if another location if offered by the government, there will
be room for discussion.
"If we are suggested a better place, then we can agree, but currently
we are acting in a lawful manner, as the agreement on the placement of
the monument to Heydar Aliyev on the boulevard was signed by the
federal government, city authorities and the Embassy," Mukhtarov said.
Muktarov also said Azerbaijan would cancel $4 billion in investment
projects for Mexico.
Ebrard, for whom the entire episode has been a major embarrassment,
said he would study the recommendations, according to Los Angeles
Times.
"If Ebrard decides to remove the monument, we will cancel the
projects, close the embassy, it would hurt the relationship between
the two countries, and it would not be good for his image to be the
person who prevented a $4-billion investment," the ambassador was
quoted as saying.
The issue of the statue, as well as an earlier Mexican Senate decision
to adopt pro-Azerbaijani legislation was a topic of discussion when
Armenia's Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian made his fist visit to
Mexico.
In talks with federal authorities, including the foreign minister,
Nalbandian raised Armenia's concerns over these developments.
28.11.12, 11:28