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Budapest Times, Hungary
Sept 9 2012
Diplomatic pressure
Azeri president's pardon of convicted killer sparks fears of fresh
violence in Caucasus
Posted on 09 September 2012
Ramil Sahib Safarov, draped in his country's flag, was given a hero's
welcome in Azerbaijan.
Armenia was first to react to the Hungarian handover of convicted
murderer Ramil Sahib Safarov to Azerbaijan, promptly severing
diplomatic relations with Hungary last Friday, with President Serzh
Sargsyan describing the move by the Orbán government as `unforgivable'
and a `grave mistake'.
Concerned, disturbed
US President Barack Obama was said to be `deeply concerned' by the
release of the convicted murderer. `We condemn any action that fuels
regional tensions,' National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor
said.
In the following days, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton was
`concerned' and president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz was
`disturbed' by the presidential pardon and hero's welcome given to
Safarov upon his return to Azerbaijan.
US demands answers
Amid concern about a potential escalation of the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia - Armenia's president indicated that his
country was ready to go to war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh
region - the US State Department demanded explanations from both
Budapest and Baku over the Safarov affair. Both Ashton and Schulz
called for restraint on both sides of the conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan.
`The convention on the transfer of sentenced people should not be
abused for political purpose,' Schultz said on Tuesday. `I am
disturbed by what appears to be a politically motivated pardon of Mr.
Safarov by the President of Azerbaijan. At the same time I urge
Azerbaijan and Armenia to avoid any moves and statements that might
exacerbate the situation. Indeed, the efforts must be focused on rapid
withdrawal of (Armenian) occupation forces from Karabakh.'
http://www.budapesttimes.hu/2012/09/09/diplomatic-pressure/
Sept 9 2012
Diplomatic pressure
Azeri president's pardon of convicted killer sparks fears of fresh
violence in Caucasus
Posted on 09 September 2012
Ramil Sahib Safarov, draped in his country's flag, was given a hero's
welcome in Azerbaijan.
Armenia was first to react to the Hungarian handover of convicted
murderer Ramil Sahib Safarov to Azerbaijan, promptly severing
diplomatic relations with Hungary last Friday, with President Serzh
Sargsyan describing the move by the Orbán government as `unforgivable'
and a `grave mistake'.
Concerned, disturbed
US President Barack Obama was said to be `deeply concerned' by the
release of the convicted murderer. `We condemn any action that fuels
regional tensions,' National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor
said.
In the following days, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton was
`concerned' and president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz was
`disturbed' by the presidential pardon and hero's welcome given to
Safarov upon his return to Azerbaijan.
US demands answers
Amid concern about a potential escalation of the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia - Armenia's president indicated that his
country was ready to go to war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh
region - the US State Department demanded explanations from both
Budapest and Baku over the Safarov affair. Both Ashton and Schulz
called for restraint on both sides of the conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan.
`The convention on the transfer of sentenced people should not be
abused for political purpose,' Schultz said on Tuesday. `I am
disturbed by what appears to be a politically motivated pardon of Mr.
Safarov by the President of Azerbaijan. At the same time I urge
Azerbaijan and Armenia to avoid any moves and statements that might
exacerbate the situation. Indeed, the efforts must be focused on rapid
withdrawal of (Armenian) occupation forces from Karabakh.'
http://www.budapesttimes.hu/2012/09/09/diplomatic-pressure/