Azeri Officials Slam Schwarzenegger

“This development may easily violate the fragile balance of the Azerbaijan-Armenia negotiating process, delay or disrupt it altogether. You [Schwarzenegger] should know that Khankandi is the administrative center of Upper Garabagh separatists, who forced local residents of non-Armenian nationality out of their homes. It should not be presented as an Armenian town”, Hafiz Pashayev wrote in his appeal to the governor.

In its reply, the California administration said the issue was not considered by its representatives and advised to directly appeal to the Montebello Mayor Bill Molinari.

Azeri officials have termed Schwarzenegger’s inaction as an attempt to counter the official position of the United States, which recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

“As governor, he should have given a political assessment to the mayor’s actions”, said MP from the ruling New Azerbaijan party Aydin Mirzazada.
“As for the mayor’s intentions to cooperate with the separatists, Azerbaijan will adequately react to this. Even if we have to appeal to US President George Bush”, said Mirzazada.

The Foreign Ministry official Tahir Taghizada condemned Molinari’s actions as well, saying that the Ministry is working in this connection. “Such statements are unacceptable”, he said.