03 March 2004, 13:04
Armenia's representative to OSCE blames Azerbaijan authorities for fanning xenophobia
"The study of the statement by the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry [issued in connection with the incident in Budapest] leads to disappointment. Instead of the condemnation having a single meaning, it contains explanations in the form of excuses. The statement is an attempt to blame the victim," said Head of the Armenian Delegation to the OSCE Jivan Tabibian, who also represent the republic in Austria, Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia.
As reported by the Armenian Foreign Ministry's press service, ambassador Tabibian worked jointly with the Hungarian authorities last week to clarify facts and details of the barbarous murder of Gurgen Margarian, an Armenian officer, in Budapest. "We find it outrageous that the Azerbaijan leadership can present the murder of the defenseless sleeping man as the "protection of dignity and honor," said Mr Tabibian.
It is worth mentioning that neither police reports nor statements by other students contain a mention of any hostile dispute or clash between the murderer and the victim," said the ambassador.
Mr Tabibian made up a conclusion that Azerbaijan used phobia against Armenians as an obstacle to the Karabakh settlement, in which both the sides should make concessions.
Editors note: See also the article "Azerbaijan officer kills Armenian colleague at NATO courses in Hungary".
Author: Ashot Ter-Grigorian, CK correspondent Source: Caucasian Knot
