Politics 11:00 06/09/2022 Armenia

Azeri consul general departs from L.A., leaving behind a trail of deception

By Harut Sassounian

Publisher, The California Courier

The Consul General of Azerbaijan, Nasimi Aghayev, departed from Los Angeles at the end of August to become his country’s new Ambassador to Germany. Aghayev left behind a trail of deception. I hope the German government keeps a close watch on this questionable Azeri “diplomat.”

Let us start with the most recent scandal. Last week, Aghayev proudly posted on Twitter and Facebook a certificate bearing the signatures of four out of five Los Angeles County Supervisors, expressing their appreciation for his service as the Consul General of Azerbaijan.

The first hint that something was amiss when it was noticed that the name of the fifth L.A. Country Supervisor, Sheila Kuehl, was not on the certificate. Such documents are usually signed by all five Supervisors, which is diplomatic protocol. There must have been a particular reason why Supervisor Kuehl’s signature was missing. When the Armenian National Committee of America -- Western Region (ANCA) asked Supervisor Kuehl’s staff why her signature was not on the certificate, they said that they had asked the L.A. County Protocol’s Office not to add her signature. It turns out that the other four Supervisors had also not given their permission to add their names to the certificate.

Shortly after Aghayev posted the certificate on Twitter and on his Facebook page, each of the four Supervisors -- Holly Mitchell, Hilda Solis, Kathryn Barger, and Janice Hahn told the ANCA through separate Tweets that their signatures “were mistakenly added to the certificate without their authorization.”

The four Supervisors attached to their Tweets the letter of apology issued by Lourdes Saab, Chief of Protocol of LA County Supervisors. The letter was sent to all four Supervisors. Here is an excerpt from one such letter: “The County of Los Angeles Office of Protocol mistakenly added Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s signature to a scroll presented to the Consul General of Azerbaijan last week and would like to publicly note this error.”

After I contacted Brenda Duran, Deputy Executive Officer, Los Angeles County Executive Office, asking her to clarify the status of the certificate issued to Azerbaijan’s Consul General by mistake, she replied in writing: “The County of Los Angeles’ Office of the Protocol (Office) apologizes for any confusion. The Supervisors’ signatures were applied in error. Accordingly, the Office is declaring that the unauthorized scroll is void and should be taken down from any social media or any other platforms. Because the County of Los Angeles is not bound by an unauthorized and erroneous action taken by an office in excess of that office’s authority, no one should rely on the subject scroll as any kind of declaration by the County of Los Angeles.”

Nevertheless, the certificate wrongly issued to Azerbaijan’s Consul General is still posted on his Twitter and Facebook page, falsely claiming that he was honored by the L.A. County Supervisors. That certificate is null and void and publicizing such an erroneously issued certificate is dishonest. Instead of being embarrassed, Aghayev lashed back at the ANCA for bringing this mistaken certificate to the attention of the Supervisors.

No one should be surprised that this is not the first time that Azerbaijan’s Consul General is involved in such a scandalous and dishonest behavior. There are four other examples. I wrote an article last October, revealing that Azerbaijan’s Consul General publicized a proclamation issued and later cancelled by the Mayor of San Diego. The Mayor apologized, rescinded his proclamation the following day and pledged not to issue proclamations on Azerbaijan in the future. Similarly, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh issued on February 2021 and later cancelled a proclamation to commemorate the so-called “Khojali Day.” The Mayor rescinded his proclamation two weeks later and apologized to the Armenian community.

The same scenario was repeated in Portland, Maine. Mayor Kathleen Snyder initially issued a proclamation on February 17, 2021 to commemorate “Khojaly Remembrance Day.” However, on April 1, 2021, the Mayor wrote: “I have decided to rescind the Mayoral Proclamation…. I once again apologize for the pain and harm that the issuance of this proclamation has caused.”

Finally, the City of Torrance, California, issued a proclamation on October 15, 2021 to celebrate “Azerbaijan Day.” Later that day, Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey stated that the City “issued a proclamation in error. On past occasions, the City has proclaimed Azerbaijan National Day in the City of Torrance on the effective date. In light of recent events in the associated region, the City has respectfully requested that the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles remove the proclamation from all media.”

Nevertheless, the rescinded proclamations of San Diego and Torrance remain on Consul General Aghayev’s Facebook page.

Amazingly, such an incompetent and dishonest Consul General is elevated to become Ambassador to Germany, instead of being fired. Given Aghayev’s repeated undiplomatic behavior in Los Angeles, Pres. Aliyev could not have made a worse choice in promoting him to the rank of Ambassador.



Source Panorama.am
Share |

Newsfeed

17:05
Expert: Aliyev's statements serve Pashinyan's domestic political goals
In a televised interview in early 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made fresh threats against Armenia. However, the Armenian leadership...
16:30
Yerevan mayor announces new changes to transport fares
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan has announced changes to the city's public transport fares that will be approved at the upcoming City Council...
16:00
Pashinyan 'shocked' by deadly ski resort fire in Turkey
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed shock over the devastating hotel fire at a ski resort in Turkey's Bolu...
15:35
15 candidates self-nominated for Chamber of Advocates Council
Fifteen candidates have self-nominated for the Council of Armenia's Chamber of Advocates. The election will take place at its general...
15:00
New head of Armenian parliament health committee named
The pro-government majority in the Armenian parliament on Wednesday elected MP Arsen Torosyan as new head of the Standing Committee on Health...
14:36
MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan assessing risks of new aggression against Armenia
Tigran Abrahamyan, an MP from the opposition Pativ Unem faction in the Armenian parliament, claims that Donald Trump's return to the White...
13:53
Public transport fare increase in Yerevan based on outdated calculations, expert says
Babken Pipoyan, head of the Informed and Protected Consumer NGO, has criticized the upcoming increase in public transport fares in Yerevan,...
13:10
Expert calls for replacement of Armenian ambassador to U.S.
Political analyst Suren Sargsyan has urged Armenia’s authorities to appoint a new ambassador to the United States under the Donald...
12:34
Alexander Sirunyan withdraws candidacy for SJC membership
Alexander Sirunyan on Wednesday officially withdrew his candidacy as a member of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), Lurer quoted Hayk...
12:12
National Gallery of Armenia opens exhibition on Artsakh
An exhibition of Yerevan-based artist Lousineh Navasartian's Silence project has opened at the National Gallery of Armenia....
11:36
Lobbyist for genocide denialist Turkey should donate earnings to Armenians
By Harut Sassounian www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com Former Cong. Bob Livingston published a commentary in the Wall Street Journal last week...
11:20
Drivers warned of icy roads in parts of Armenia
The Rescue Service has warned drivers about a road closure and icy conditions in Armenia. In particular, the road connecting the Amberd high...
11:12
Armenia offers condolences to Turkey over deadly ski resort fire
The Armenia Foreign Ministry has extended condolences to Turkey following the deadly fire at a ski resort hotel that killed at least...
17:00
Newmag to publish Henrikh Mkhitaryan's autobiography
Newmag will release Armenian football star Henrikh Mkhitaryan's autobiography this year, its founder Artak Aleksanyan has...
16:35
Russia's Lavrov announces plans to visit Armenia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced his plans to visit Yerevan following talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat...
16:21
Discussions on Minsk Group dissolution underway, Armenian speaker says
Discussions are underway regarding the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan told reporters on...
15:45
Trump orders US to leave WHO
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization...
15:30
Temperatures to drop further in Armenia
Dry weather is expected across Armenia throughout this week. The capital Yerevan will also see no precipitation in the coming days....
15:00
Lavrov calls Armenia Russia's natural strategic partner, ally
Yerevan is Moscow’s natural strategic partner and ally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during talks with his Armenian...
14:30
Armenia has no plans to quit EAEU, parliament speaker says
Armenia has no plans to leave the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan claims. “The EAEU...
13:53
Armenian, Russian FMs hold talks in Moscow
The meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in enlarged format has...
13:35
Ex-minister calls for abolishing asset declaration in Armenia
Economist Mesrop Arakelyan, a former minister of labor and social affairs, has called for the cancellation of Armenia’s...
13:00
Mirzoyan congratulates Marco Rubio on his confirmation as US secretary of state
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has congratulated Marco Rubio on his unanimous confirmation as U.S. Secretary of State....
12:36
Kindergarten fire in Armenian town forces evacuation of 117 children
A fire broke out at a kindergarten in Spitak, a town in Armenia’s Lori Province, on Tuesday morning. Two fire and rescue crews were...
12:12
Opposition councilor accuses Yerevan authorities of 'shadowy dealings and favoritism'
The opposition Mother Armenia faction of the Yerevan City Council has called an extraordinary session today to discuss the upcoming...
11:46
Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates 36th birthday
Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is celebrating his 36th birthday today. The Football Federation of Armenia and Inter have extended...
11:23
Hotel fire at Turkey ski resort kills at least 10
A fire broke out at a hotel at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, killing at least at least 10 people and hospitalizing 32 others,...
11:06
EU delegation briefed about situation on Armenian-Azeri border
The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) hosted EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos last week. "The EU delegation was briefed about the...
17:00
Armenian FM to travel to Moscow
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to Moscow on January 21, his ministry reports. During the...
16:30
37 police officers sacked in Armenia last year
43 police officers in Armenia faced disciplinary action In 2024. Among them, 3 officers received a reprimand, 3 were issued a severe...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}