State Department responds to Azerbaijani media attacks: Claims are completely baseless
“The U.S.’s longstanding support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and independence is backed by much more than words, certainly, and the claims in this article are completely baseless and without merit,” the spokesperson for the US Department of State, Marie Harf said during the press briefing responding to the question about the article of APA news agency, which provides data allegedly testifying the custom-made character of USA’s "black PR" campaign targeting Azerbaijan ahead of the first European Games.
“We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to respect the universal rights of all of its citizens, ensure they are afforded all the fair trial guarantees to which all citizens are entitled, and allow them to freely express their views,” Harf said responding to the question about arrested journalist Khadija Ismayilova.
Azerbaijani news website 1news.az, in its turn, reports that the US embassy in Azerbaijan also denied accusations towards American leadership in an attempt to overthrow the current government of Azerbaijan, as the local media recently reported.
“Accusations that the United States is trying to overthrow the current government in Azerbaijan are absolutely groundless and unfair to the cooperation between our two countries, which has lasted more than 20 years. America worked closely with Azerbaijan during its tenure in the UN Security Council,” the statement posted on the website of the Embassy reads.
It is noted in the statement that there should be no doubt that the United States remains committed to cooperation with Azerbaijan to ensure an independent, stable, prosperous and democratic future of the country.
News agency Turan informs, in its turn, that the official and pro-government media in Azerbaijan continues harsh criticism of the Secretary of State John Kerry. Turan writes that the official newspaper Azerbaijan in the article “When human rights and democracy turn into means of political adventures” notes that the West and the United States represent themselves as "the cradle of democracy."
"However, it is well known from the history what disasters Western imperialism brought to many nations. Those who present themselves as ‘heralds of freedom,’ in fact, are the authors of scenarios for the implementation of revolutions and political assassinations," the article reads.
It is also noted that another article in the same newspaper titled “The author of the 907th amendment, John Kerry, begins anti-Azerbaijani campaign” claims that Kerry works against Azerbaijan. The authors of this opinion are MPs Siyavush Novruzov, Asim Mollazade (a great friend of America), and political scientist Mubariz Ahmedoglu. According to them, Kerry is campaigning "black PR" against Azerbaijan and supports the Armenians.
It is noted in the material that an article of similar contents is also published in the newspaper Xalq, the publication of presidential administration of Azerbaijan. The article is called “The intention full of guileful PR exposed or ‘Mister in the guise of an angel.’” The author of the material claims that Kerry gave a direct indication of bribery of journalists, writers and other creative people in Azerbaijan. There is no evidence or source of these accusations in the material.
Turan reports that the deputy head of the Presidential Administration, Novruz Mammadov, joined the chorus of voices accusing Secretary of State of the anti-Azerbaijani activity. Speaking at the Third Global Forum in Baku and in interview to journalists, he commented on the government press publications on this topic. Mammadov actually repeated everything written in these articles about the Secretary of State John Kerry, the publication reads.
Referring to some "investigation," Mammadov said that the conduction of anti-Azerbaijani campaign is entrusted to National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
"This organization has been trying to create ‘fifth column’ in Azerbaijan for many years directing millions of dollars to some NGOs and mass media in Azerbaijan," Mammadov declared.
Related:
Department of State responds to Azerbaijani media attacks: Attempting to blame US is just distraction from their own problems
US, UK, CoE and international organizations call for release of Azerbaijani political prisoners
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