23:55, 21 October 2004

Baku denies presence of Maskhadov's staff in Azerbaijan

A regular meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russian inter-parliamentary commission for cooperation was held in Baku today. Co-chairman of the inter-parliamentary commission, First Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament Arif Ragimzade announced that Azerbaijan and Russia fruitfully cooperate in the struggle against international terrorism. At the same time he expressed a protest against accusations heard in Russia sometimes that Azerbaijan gives terrorists an opportunity to develop their activity in the country. In particular, Azerbaijan deputies feel indignation about a statement by Valery Kadokhov, deputy chairman of the Russian Federation Council committee on federal affairs and regional policy. "We suspect that Maskhadov's certain preparatory headquarters functions here in Baku. At least, on the days of the Beslan tragedy, we tried to get in touch with Maskhadov through his agent in Baku, and his (Maskhadov's) phone number popped up. He told the place where he himself was," Mr Kadokhov said. The deputies hold that this is a naked assertion and declared the necessity of presenting concrete evidence.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot