Journalists conduct sanctioned picket

On the initiative of the Union of Editors, around 60 newspaper journalists conducted a picket in front of the State Customs Committee Wednesday that had been sanctioned by the Mayor’s office. Among key demands of the journalists were “Down with those selling paper”, “End to paper monopolists” and “End to pressure on the press”. According to the chief editor of “Yeni Musavat” newspaper Rauf Arifoglu, in 2000 Azerbaijan received around 3,000 tons of paper, with current reserves of 1,002 tons. He stated that if the paper shortage problem is not resolved in the near future, some 500-600 journalists will be laid off.

The protesters adopted a resolution, demanding to abolish the double Value Added Tax imposed on paper introduced since January 1, 2001. The state customs committee has been urged to take resolute measures against the monopoly of certain government officials of the paper market.

After the picket, protesters visited with the Garabagh handicapped, who have been on hunger strike since January 21.*