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CABALLE CAUGHT IN POLITICAL CROSSFIRE
San Francisco Classical Voice, CA
June 11 2013
By Janos Gereben
Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe, who was declared persona non
grata in Azerbaijan, this week has received Armenia's highest honor
from the president, the Armenian leader's spokesman said on Sunday.
President Serzh Sargsyan gave Caballe the order of honor for "defending
Armenia's state and national interests, for special achievements in
establishing independence, democracy as well as for strengthening
and developing friendship with the Republic of Armenia and for
a significant contribution to peace building between nations,"
a spokesman said.
"Armenia is an island of peace and love. You have a wonderful country
and people with strong spirits. I will have unforgettable impressions
when I leave Armenia and I am sure that my visit will be continued,"
the singer said as she received the honor.
Baku declared Caballe persona non grata on Thursday, the next day
after she visited Azerbaijan's separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh
and met with the self-proclaimed republic's head, Bako Sahakyan.
Azerbaijan said the trip was "illegal and harmed peaceful resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict." Baku sent a special note to Spain's
Foreign Ministry demanding explanations.
More than 30,000 people haved died in the conflict between the two
former Soviet countries over Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly ethnic
Armenian region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
http://www.sfcv.org/article/caballe-caught-in-political-crossfire
From: Baghdasarian
San Francisco Classical Voice, CA
June 11 2013
By Janos Gereben
Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe, who was declared persona non
grata in Azerbaijan, this week has received Armenia's highest honor
from the president, the Armenian leader's spokesman said on Sunday.
President Serzh Sargsyan gave Caballe the order of honor for "defending
Armenia's state and national interests, for special achievements in
establishing independence, democracy as well as for strengthening
and developing friendship with the Republic of Armenia and for
a significant contribution to peace building between nations,"
a spokesman said.
"Armenia is an island of peace and love. You have a wonderful country
and people with strong spirits. I will have unforgettable impressions
when I leave Armenia and I am sure that my visit will be continued,"
the singer said as she received the honor.
Baku declared Caballe persona non grata on Thursday, the next day
after she visited Azerbaijan's separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh
and met with the self-proclaimed republic's head, Bako Sahakyan.
Azerbaijan said the trip was "illegal and harmed peaceful resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict." Baku sent a special note to Spain's
Foreign Ministry demanding explanations.
More than 30,000 people haved died in the conflict between the two
former Soviet countries over Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly ethnic
Armenian region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
http://www.sfcv.org/article/caballe-caught-in-political-crossfire
From: Baghdasarian