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Ambassador Anne Derse: It is expedient to punish journalists administratively not criminally

30 August 2007 17:09 (UTC +04:00)

The U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse visited new administrative building of election constituency #82 during her visit to Agjabadi region, APAâ€™s Karabakh bureau reports. The Ambassador said that election constituencies meeting modern standards are very important to ensure transparency in the presidential elections in 2008. Meeting representatives of local authorities and communities in the village Perioglular Anne Derse held a press conference.
Taking a stance on the visit of Iranâ€™s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Azerbaijan the diplomat said every country has the right to establish warm relationships with its neighbor.
â€œThe problem is not in Iranian presidentâ€™s visit to Azerbaijan. Iran tries to impede intervention of the international community in its nuclear program and can not prove that this program is for peaceful purposes. Iran has the right to implement nuclear program. But is should not hide its main purpose from the international community,â€ the Ambassador said.
Regarding the journalistsâ€™ arrest unpleasant, Anne Derse considered it expedient to punish journalists administratively not criminally. Ms. Derse also underlined that media and state bodies should solve their problems by means of negotiations.
â€œIf there is no independent and ethic media, it is impossible to form democratic values in the society. Media in developed countries is the active defender of human rights,â€ she said. /APA/