16 December 2006, 17:50
Nazim Ibragimov: headquarters will be founded in Russia to address the problems of Azerbaijanis
"Since the law on migration adopted in Russia and the government's decision on this issue could have created problems for the Azerbaijanis who live in this country, the order of the president of Azerbaijan has formed a state commission that has already started its work," Nazim Ibragimov, chairman of the state committee for work with Azerbaijanis living abroad, told the correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot."
To prevent that the steps undertaken by Russian authorities be directed against Azerbaijanis, Mr. Ibragimov held several meetings in Moscow. "Representatives of Russian authorities have told me that these measures are in no case directed against Azerbaijanis, but pursue the aim to improve the situation in the area of retail trade. Besides, when I was in Moscow, we held a meeting with representatives of the Azerbaijan Diaspora, where a decision was made to create headquarters in Moscow and capitals of the seven Federal Districts of Russia, entitled to address in situ the problems of our compatriots," the head of the state committee has asserted.
"The policy of our country is to ensure the residence of our compatriots in Russia on registration. Our major aim is make the utmost use of the opportunities arising from the decision of the government and our relations to ensure legal and lawful stay of Azerbaijanis in the territory of Russia. To tell the truth, we'll not manage to finalize the process till January 1, therefore, it is possible that some people will be deported from there," N. Ibragimov has added.
In her turn, deputy Elmira Akhundova believes that "at the beginning, the Azerbaijanis living in Russia will really have hard times, but they will surely find the way out."
However, in the opinion of political scientist Ilgar Mamedov, the main thing is that deportations should not be accompanied by violence, as it was the case with Georgians who were caught and put into remand cells ("KPZ"), and then deported.
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent