Turan News Agency,
28, January 2008

Baku, 28 January: Considering the media situation in Azerbaijan, the US embassy is very closely watching the tax inspections at the Cap Evi publishing house and the Qanun magazine, US ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse has told reporters. "We certainly understand that businesses should obey the law. We hope that this is going to be a routine inspection."

At the same time she mentioned that "Cap Evi is the only publishing house in Azerbaijan that performs a very important and key role; it gives an opportunity for the publication of independent and opposition newspapers. The Qanun magazine publishes articles about human rights and legislation," Derse said.

Derse believes that "an abundance of information is always better than a lack of it". It would be better if Azerbaijan had more independent media organizations like these, she added. This would give renewed impetus to the development of a free media, which is a fundamental element of democracy.

Commenting on the forthcoming October 2008 presidential election in Azerbaijan, Derse said that "the USA is working closely with international organizations, international donors and the Azerbaijani government to hold an open, fair and democratic election in the history of Azerbaijan".

Asked for comment on President Ilham Aliyev's meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Davos, the ambassador said she did not have information on the content of the talks. Usually issues of democracy, energy and energy security are discussed at such high-level meetings, she added.