28 June 2008, 18:15
USA calls on Azerbaijani authorities to ensure democratic elections
At the regular round of American-Azerbaijani democracy dialogue that was held on June 27 in Baku, David Kramer, assistant of the US State Secretary on democracy and human rights, called the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure democratic character of the forthcoming presidential election.
"We've discussed different topics: presidential election, freedom of the press and other issues related to democracy and human rights. The discussion was very open," said Mr Kramer to journalists after his meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov and President Ilham Aliev.
David Kramer has emphasized that assessment of elections is based not only on vote tabulation, but on the whole election campaign, starting from registration of candidates, their access to mass media and media capabilities.
"Among the discussed issues, there were attacks on journalists, threats and pressure on them. We think that those guilty should be punished," Mr Kramer has noted. However, the diplomat has evaded from giving a direct answer to the question on practical actions that the USA are undertaking to ensure the democratic character of the presidential election and release of journalists.
So far, the official Baku has made no comments on Kramer's statements. A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said in a private conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that "the dialogue outcomes will be analysed."
Author: Faik Medzhid, CK correspondent
