The president of the International Eurasia Press Fund, Deputy Chairman of the Press Council, Umud Mirzayev, was a guest at the TV programme "Good Morning, Azerbaijan" on the ITV Channel.
In the programme dedicated to the Khojaly tragedy, he spoke about the Khojaly genocide and the severe consequences of the Garabagh war for the Azerbaijani people.
Umud Mirzayev stressed the Khojaly massacre is a tragedy for every Azerbaijani citizen.
"In Khojaly, there were such atrocities and vandalism that it is difficult to put it in words. If it is viewed in films perhaps it may help a little imagined about it," U.Mirzayev said.
He also emphasized that the media at that time on the one hand was in blocade and not allowed to circulate abroad and on the other hand the modern information technologies of today did not exist. As he mentioned, that time, all information was manipulated from Moscow, and all information was distorted when shared with international community.
"All information from Moscow did not reflect the reality here. Very few number of journalists around the world were aware of what was happening in Garabagh. Journalists from across the countries, such as Russia, Europe and Turkey came in our country. Shortly, the news circulated all around the world, but as I mentioned, the information blockade caused to measled the public in opposite to what was the truth.
In addition, until the tragedy of Khojaly, there have been numerous tragedies that took place in the early 90's."
Umud Mirzayev also mentioned the tragedies and losses that have taken place in the history of Azerbaijan. He noted that on December 26, 1905, in the Umudlu village of the Javanshir governer of that time, 300 people were killed in the massacre by Armenian criminals.
He also emphasized the importance of the work and role of journalists in bringing Garabagh truths to the public. He said that by launching a campaign of Justice to Khojaly in 2008, it was possible to convey the truth of Azerbaijan to many countries, and as a result, the Khojaly tragedy is now recognized in 24 US states. The president of IEPF also spoke about other areas of Azerbaijan's role in promoting the world, as well as the supportive role of embassies in our country.
"Our embassies have started many significant activities. With the increase of tourism potential, a lot of people come to our country. They leave here with many impressions about the country.
Speaking at the program, Umud Mirzayev added that the International Eurasia Press Fund has organized a number of trips for international journalists to the Garabagh region.
"In the early 1990s, we organised a trip for over a hundred foreign journalists to Azerbaijan. Today, we take all students, journalists and diplomatic members to Garabagh's front line to show them those devastaed areas with shot graves along the trenches.
I would like to note that once we took a French citizen to Garabagh. You know that in France, the Armenian lobby is very influential. He wrote an article while staying in an IDP home in Fuzuli and Aghdam for two days. Can a regular French in his country describe the Garabagh events? Of course, no one can do unless the one who goes there!
If the one who arrived in Baku never visited Garabagh to see those destroyed houses or had no connection with those living in that area will never have a complete idea about this country”.
Eurasia Diary presents the video of the program broadcast on Public Television of Azerbaijan.
