The Whole Azerbaijan Union protested against the second visit of the Russian archeological expedition headed by orientalist Andrey Polyakov to Nakhichevan. In this view some Azeri officials held a meeting with journalists on May 17 and adopted a statement. Chairman Agil Samedbeily said that "passing off as archeological expedition a group of people in 2004 as if looking for the Noah's Ark climbed the Turkish part of the Ararat Mountain and hoisted a Russian flag there. The same group visited Azerbaijan to get familiarized with the ancient cultural monuments. They took photos and then published materials humiliating and offending the national dignity of Azerbaijan. This group was planning digs in Nakhichevan in order to erect a monument to biblical forefather Noah. With the efforts of the Nakhichevani authorities, scientists, a number of deputies as well as ministerial officials the group failed to carry out their plan."