Azeris have a history of tensions with the central government over their close cultural ties to Turkey and theRepublicofAzerbaijan and occasional separatist movements.
The Center for Security Policy is concerned that the Soviet government's decision to deny Western press and diplomats access to therepublicofAzerbaijan is greatly complicating the task of accurately monitoring the conflict.
President Bush is playing host today to the leader ofthe former Soviet RepublicofAzerbaijan, in what some say is a litmus test ofthe president's so-called freedom agenda.