22:22, 7 May 2007

Azerbaijan stops cooperation with "Reporters without Borders"

Azerbaijan is not going to cooperate with "Reporters without Borders" and attaches no value to declarations made by this organization. This statement was addressed today to journalists by Ali Gasanov, head of the Public and Political Department of the President's Administration. According to his version, the objectivity of "Reporters without Borders" gives rise to "great doubts."

In Mr. Gasanov's opinion, the situation in Azerbaijan with the freedom of speech and press is different from the one pictured by "Reporters without Borders."

Touching on the adoption of the law on defamation, Ali Gasanov said that nowhere in Europe this sort of legislation had been passed. According to him, Azerbaijan would be ready to discuss the issue only after similar defamation legislation has been adopted in the countries which have rich experience of democracy and responsible professional journalism.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent