Kramer: USA wait for Azerbaijan to pardon convicted journalists

The States as a whole are satisfied with the progress in their relations with Azerbaijan, but Washington has some questions which are causing concern. Among them is the situation with the freedom of speech. This was discussed yesterday, on November 19, at the press conference in Baku, which was given by David Kramer, under Secretary of State for democracy, human rights and labour.

According to Mr Kramer, one of the central issues on his agenda at talks in Baku was the situation with the freedom of speech in Azerbaijan. The problems in this sphere, said David Kramer, are causing the greatest concern in the USA. He called on President Ilham Aliev to consider an alternative of pardoning the imprisoned journalists. In spite of the fact that Ilham Aliev gave no particular guarantees, "he can consider this issue," the American diplomat has noticed.

Touching on the general situation with democracy in Azerbaijan, Mr Kramer has noted the necessity to develop "a flexible political system, interesting for the parties to get engaged in political processes." Free and fair elections should make a component of such system.

When expressing his attitude to the plans of Azerbaijani government to stop since 2009 broadcasting on local frequencies of radio stations Voice of America, Liberty and BBC, Davis Kramer said that during his meeting with Ilham Aliev "agreements were reached that they will continue their broadcasting in parallel with the legal settlement of the problem."

When asked to specify, whether the stations will go on operating in 2009, David Kramer said that particular schedules were not discussed, but he understood that "the broadcasting will continued next year as well."