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Clinton Expresses `Strong Disappointment' Regarding Safarov Extradition
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/10/19/clinton-expresses-strong-disappointment-regarding-safarov-extradition/
October 19, 2012
WASHINGTON - State Department sources confirmed 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, DC this week.
Martonyi and Clinton
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 ANCA 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-Mass.), Sen. Boxer, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.),
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Ed
Royce (R-Calif.), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat
Howard Berman (D-CA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking
Democrat Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), and Representatives David Cicilline
(D-R.I.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), Robert Dold
(R-Ill.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), John
Sarbanes (D-Md.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Brad Sherman (D-Calif.).
A complete list of statements by U.S. leaders condemning the Safarov
release is available at: http://www.anca.org/safarov
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 Safarov's extradition and talks between the Orban
Administration and Aliyev regarding a possible Azerbaijani buy-out of
Hungarian loans valued 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.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/10/19/clinton-expresses-strong-disappointment-regarding-safarov-extradition/
October 19, 2012
WASHINGTON - State Department sources confirmed 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, DC this week.
Martonyi and Clinton
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 ANCA 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-Mass.), Sen. Boxer, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.),
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Ed
Royce (R-Calif.), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat
Howard Berman (D-CA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking
Democrat Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), and Representatives David Cicilline
(D-R.I.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), Robert Dold
(R-Ill.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), John
Sarbanes (D-Md.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Brad Sherman (D-Calif.).
A complete list of statements by U.S. leaders condemning the Safarov
release is available at: http://www.anca.org/safarov
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 Safarov's extradition and talks between the Orban
Administration and Aliyev regarding a possible Azerbaijani buy-out of
Hungarian loans valued 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.