Azerbaijan Slams Humanitarian Aid Groups

A refugee tent camp for Nagorno-Karabakh refugees (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) 7 February 2006 -- Azerbaijan today accused foreign humanitarian groups of unauthorized activities in Azerbaijan.

Ali Hasanov, a deputy prime minister in charge of the government refugee agency, said some humanitarian organizations go beyond their own charters while conducting their activities in Azerbaijan. He said, in his words, "such actions are inadmissible."

Hasanov did not name any group, saying only that his statement was a warning to all of them.

He made the comments at a meeting of UN agencies, international, and local aid groups that assist refugees who have been expelled as a result of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Hasanov said 74 international aid organizations were active in the country.

(AP)