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AZERBAIJAN DAILY DIGEST
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From: Eurasiaweek (thisweek@eurasianet.org)
Date: Tue Mar 12 2002 - 17:09:00 EST
CHECHEN REFUGEES ACCUSE UNHCR'S BAKU OFFICE OF DEMANDING BRIBES...
Representatives of the estimated 8,000 Chechen refugees in Azerbaijan
have addressed an appeal to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud
Lubbers asking him to take action against the staff of his
organization's Baku office, Turan reported on 11 March. According to
the appeal, UNHCR personnel regularly demand a bribe equal to 20-25
percent of the $80-$100 to which refugees are entitled. As a result,
only 400-500 refugees receive such payments, the appeal said. The
independent daily "Ekho" reported on 16 February that Azerbaijani
State Committee for Refugees Chairman Ali Hasanov rejected a request
by Ali Asaev, Chechnya's representative in Azerbaijan, to provide
assistance for Chechen refugees. Hasanov claimed that the Chechens
entered Azerbaijan illegally and therefore could not be formally
registered as refugees. LF
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