US President: "Situation with mass media is poor in Azerbaijan"

President Bush called on all over the world to respect for freedom of speech, emphasizing it as one of the most important aspects of the democracy.

He said China remained the world’s top jailer of journalists and named Cuba, Eritrea, Iran and Azerbaijan among the countries, where mass media is in bad conditions.

The President reminded that during Fiscal Year 2007, the United States provided $78 million in approximately 40 countries to promote media freedom and freedom of information.

Spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibrahim said that there was inaccurate data in Bush’s statement.

“We are strategic partners and would not like to allow inaccurate and incomplete data in bilateral relations. We would like USA to use verified and accurate facts in its statements, considering the level of bilateral relations and basing on real situation.", said he.

/APA/