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Clinton Expresses 'Strong Disappointment' With Hungary Over Safarov

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  • Clinton Expresses 'Strong Disappointment' With Hungary Over Safarov

    CLINTON EXPRESSES 'STRONG DISAPPOINTMENT' WITH HUNGARY OVER SAFAROV EXTRADITION

    http://lurer.com/?p=49333&l=en
    2012-10-19 11:16:19

    State Department sources confirmed Thursday that Secretary of State
    Hillary Clinton relayed the U.S. Government's "strong disappointment"
    over Hungary's extradition of convicted Azerbaijani axe-murderer
    Ramil Safarov during a state visit by Hungarian Foreign Minister
    Janos Martonyi to Washington this week.

    In response to a question by H1 Armenian Television Washington DC
    correspondent Haykaram Nahapetyan, a State Department Spokesperson
    noted that, "Secretary Clinton reiterated our strong disappointment
    that Hungary transferred convicted murderer Ramil Safarov to
    Azerbaijan, where he was immediately pardoned. This decision was
    harmful to the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to
    trust between the sides."

    "We welcome Secretary Clinton's continued efforts to impress
    upon Hungary's leaders how their reckless release and transfer of
    unrepentant axe-murder Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan has undermined the
    peace process," commented Armenian National Committee of America
    Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "In the interest of peace,
    we encourage the Secretary to translate her words of criticism -
    toward both Hungary and Azerbaijan - into reality by putting in place
    a ban on U.S. arms sale to Baku and ending all military aid to the
    Azerbaijani armed forces."

    The U.S. was among the first to express concern about Hungary's
    extradition and President Ilham Aliyev's subsequent pardon, promotion
    and praise for Azerbaijani army lieutenant Ramil Safarov, who was
    convicted of brutally axing to death Armenian soldier Gurgen Margaryan
    in his sleep, during a 2004 NATO English-language training course. In
    a statement issued by the White House in the name of National Security
    Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor, underscoring the President's view
    that, "This action is contrary to ongoing efforts to reduce regional
    tensions and promote reconciliation." Vietor went on to note that,
    "The United States is also requesting an explanation from Hungary
    regarding its decision to transfer Safarov to Azerbaijan."

    The Department of State, through a formal announcement issued by
    Acting Deputy Spokesman Patrick Ventrell, also took a stand against
    Hungary's extradition and Azerbaijan's pardon, explaining that: "The
    United States is extremely troubled by the news that the President
    of Azerbaijan pardoned Azerbaijani army officer Ramil Safarov, who
    returned to Baku today following his transfer from Hungary. . . . We
    are expressing our deep concern to Azerbaijan regarding this action
    and seeking an explanation. We are also seeking further details from
    Hungary regarding the decision to transfer Mr. Safarov to Azerbaijan."

    During the Center for European Policy Analysis' U.S.-Central Europe
    Strategy Forum on September 20, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
    Philip Gordon told RFE/RL that Washington continues to express
    "dismay and disappointment" to Budapest about its decision to release
    Ramil Safarov to Baku. "We were appalled by the glorification that
    we heard in some quarters of somebody who was convicted of murder,"
    Gordon said. He called the case "a real provocation in the region."

    Members of Congress who have condemned Azerbaijan's release of Safarov
    to date include, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry
    (D-MA), Sen. Boxer, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Congressional Armenian
    Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee
    Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA), House Energy and Commerce
    Committee Ranking Democrat Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Representatives
    Jim Costa (D-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA), Robert Dold (R-IL), Anna Eshoo
    (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Devin Nunes (R-CA), John Sarbanes
    (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA).

    Hungary Knew Consequences of Safarov Release Worldwide suspicions that
    the Hungarian Government knew full well of Azerbaijan's intention
    to pardon Safarov were confirmed soon after the axe-murderer's
    extradition. Reuters reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor
    Orban stated, "The foreign ministry had forecast precisely what
    types of consequences this or the other decision [extradition or
    non-extradition] may have. Nothing happened after our decision that
    we would not have reckoned with in advance."

    Orban's statements came as speculation continued about the connection
    between the Safarov's extradition and talks between the Orban
    Administration and Aliyev regarding a possible Azerbaijani buy-out
    of Hungarian loans valuing over $2-3 Billion Euros. International
    financial news outlets reported the possible deal just days prior to
    the August 31st release of Safarov.

    The Hungarian opposition condemned Prime Minister Orban's actions as
    'morally bankrupt,' and called for his resignation. Thousands of
    Hungarians protested the Orban decision during demonstrations in
    Budapest just days after the August 31st extradition of Safarov.

    Despite international criticism from the U.S., France, Russia, and
    NATO, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev remains defiant about his
    decision to pardon, promote and financially reward axe-murderer Ramil
    Safarov for the ethnically motivated murder of Lt. Gurgen Margaryan.

    Safarov's repatriation "was carried out in accordance with European
    conventions, and his release in accordance with Azerbaijan's
    constitution," Reuters quoted Aliyev as stating during a joint press
    conference with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.




    From: A. Papazian
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