<b>J. Clancy will prepare a separate story about his visit to the regions</b> <br /> <br /> J. Clancy, Sr. Anchor/Correspondent, CNN and Reza, a renowned Photojournalist with the “National Geography” visited Garabagh region of Azerbaijan. They have been to Barda, Terter, Aghdam and Fuzili regions and met with refuges and internally displaced persons settled there. UmudRahimoglu, Chairperson of the International Eurasia Press Fund-host organization gave information about their visit to the above mentioned regions. According to him initially the guests visited Barda city. Vidadi Isayev, Head of Local Executive Power met with them, gave comprehensive information on the history of this ancient city. The guests had night sightseeing around the city and enjoyed the beauty of the city.
J. Clancy and Reza met with Jeyhun Jafarov, Head of Local Executive Power of Terter Region. J. Jafarov gave information on existing situation in Terter as a region located on borderline. He touched the issue of damages that the population undergoes and the regular violation of cease-fire on the borderline. Despite all these concerns, J. Jafarov talked about the speedy reconstruction and construction activities conducted in the region according to the decree signed by Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on improvement of regions in the country.
U. Rahimoglu gave information on the visit to Hasangaya village of Terter Region settled by IDPs from Kalbajar Region: “We organized meeting with IDPs from Kalbajar Region in Hasangaya village. Horrible scenery of the village destroyed by Armenian forces deeply moved the guests; severe life circumstances of internally displaced persons shocked the both journalists”.
The journalists were comprehensively informed on IEPF activities and projects implemented in the regions. They visited the IEPF Terter Regional Vocational Centre built with financial support of Department of State, USA and functioning since 2010. The visitors were informed about trainings held at the center for mine victims and war affected people.
The following day on the trip, Jim and Reza met with refugees and IDPs from Aghdam Region. Zulfi Gasimov, First Deputy Head of the Local Executive Power met the delegation. They talked to Tural Aliyev, 13 years old inhabitant of Aghdam Region, Garabagh nightingale who sang a small part from one of the national mughams.
On same day they also visited Fizuli Region. Ali Aliyev, Head of Local Executive Power and other officials met the guests. They participated in the wedding party of two young refugee couple. Both Jim and Reza made video coverage and took photos of the wedding ceremony; it was interesting to observe the national wedding traditions. Additionally, the journalists visited Zobjug-1 – settlement for refugees and IDPs.
The trip to Fizuli also took them to one of the ancient monuments of Fizuli-SheykhYaqub Babi tomb and then to Alikhanli village that was turned into ruins.
Due to U. Rahimoglu’s information, the journalists were pleased with the reconstruction and construction activities held in the region. J. Clancy noted that he would prepare a separate story with stills shot during the trip to Garabagh. It should be noted that Reza who had taken photos from the most hotbeds of news, conflict zones in the world including black 20th January, 1990 and Khojaly tragedy on February 26, 1992 was very active during this trip too.
At the end of the trip U. Rahimoglu expressed his great gratitude to Ali Hasanov, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Republican Commission on International Humanitarian Aid for his assistance in making the trip possible taking into consideration the necessity and importance of this visit.
The journalists were also accompanied by Nick Nwolisa and Nezaket Aghayeva, Heads of Departments, IEPF.