28 May 2004, 13:47
Azerbaijan authorities ready to preserve stability in country
The Azerbaijan authorities will take all measures to prevent the attempts of the opposition to break stability in the country, head of the presidential administration Ramiz Mekhtiyev told journalists on May 27.
If the action of protest set by the opposition for May 29 is aimed at breaking stability, the authorities will prevent it by legal means, he said.
Mr Mekhtiyev also touched upon the refusal of opposition leaders, charged with organization of riots on October 15-16, 2003, to attend the trial. "No one can put pressure on the court. The court is independent," he said.
The opposition party Popular Front of Azerbaijan is going to hold a meeting in Baku on May 29 to demand that human rights be observed and arrested opposition leaders be released.
Source: Interfax News Agency