Ali Hasanov: America is our friend, but the report of State Department is not objective

Official Baku rejects criticism of human rights problems in Azerbaijan, as set out in the annual report of the U.S. State Department.

According to Ali Hasanov, the head of the sociopolitical department of the Presidential Administration, Azerbaijan rejects biased criticism and sees it as interference in the internal affairs of the country.

"With specific regard to the U.S. State Department report, I would like to note that the United States is our strategic partner. Relations with that country have three main areas: energy, security and democracy. Therefore, we normally refer to the fact that the State Department report paid attention to democracy and human rights in Azerbaijan. However, the subjective nature of the report, absence of  sources of information, misrepresentation of certain facts, and most importantly, ignoring the position of the authorities of Azerbaijan, provides a solid ground to doubt the objectivity of the document," said  Hasanov in an interview  with Azertaj agency. 

In his view, "the report presents only  some negative points characteristic  for any country, and in many cases a distorted information, and, attempts are made to  form an overall conclusion  on this basis."

Hasanov was offended to read in the report that in Azerbaijan newspaper circulation is rarely more than 5000 copies. According to him, the daily circulation of newspapers "Yeni Musavat", "Azerbaijan", "Mirror" and a number of other newspapers is  more than 10,000 copies.

Next Hasanov proudly stated that 70% of the population use the Internet; and thank to the government, today the number of Facebook users in Azerbaijan exceeded one million.

Hasanov rejected allegations on violations of freedom of assembly. Following the principle of "the best defense  is offence," Hasanov accused Western countries  of restricting social networks during riots, as it was in the London suburb of Tottenham in 2011.

Hasanov reminded about brutal suppression of the action "Occupy Wall Street" in New York.

Referring to criticism due to the increase in soldiers' deaths  in non combat conditions, Hasanov said that the protests about it  is the work of the Armenian lobby.

Azerbaijani Armed Forces  is the most powerful army  in the South Caucasus  for its technical equipment, provision of arms and ammunition, discipline and combat effectiveness. The Armenian lobby  is very concerned about  this factor, their associates and political communities that are affected by the Armenians. That is why this topic is so important, Hasanov said.

External and internal forces are trying to use this issue for political purposes, and to undermine the authority of the Army, said Hasanov.

He rejected the criticism, and the harassment of NGOs, claiming that it was done with a view to transparency.  "It is no secret that the foreign organizations  working in out country  spend  millions of dollars on dubious projects and do not represent any reports," Hasanov said, citing the example of Baku Office of the National Democratic Institute USA.

Hasanov rejected criticism against him  after the contest "Eurovision". "Even today, I am convinced that our society must take a strong stand and expose those who are  against our state,  and is trying to shake its foundations, becomes a means in the hands of foreign pro-Armenian community,"  said Hasanov.—06D-