U.S. Ambassador Richard Morningstar Visits IDP Communities

Earlier today, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar visited several internally displaced people (IDP) communities in and around Baku.  The ambassador visited these sites to learn about the conditions in these communities and to meet the people who live there.  Ambassador Morningstar first visited an IDP dormitory in Binagadi and then a local school where IDP children study.  

The ambassador then visited a newly built IDP community in Mushvigabat where he met with local leaders, visited a soon-to-be opened school, and learned about recent infrastructure improvements at the site.  Mr. Garay Farhadov, deputy chairman of the State Committee for Work with Refugees and IDPs, arranged the visits and accompanied the ambassador and party throughout the afternoon.  

During the visit, Ambassador Morningstar said he had visited several camps in the 1990s and that he realizes what a difficult issue this has been for all Azerbaijanis.  “I know the Azerbaijani government has been doing a lot to help IDPs and refugees, and I am also happy that the United States and assorted international organizations have done so as well.  It is important to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible and allow the families that live in these temporary communities to return to their homes,” Ambassador Morningstar said.  -0-