Azerbaijani representative Azimov denied the accusations.

"What you might call genocide, others might not recognize as genocide," he said.

But after the discussion had ended, Dagdigian said he was not satisfied with Azimov's response.

"[The genocide] was identical to what happened in Kosovo," Dagdigian said. "The response of Mr. Azimov was completely erroneous."

Panel moderator Graham T. Allison, director of the Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, said the ethnic issue was worthy of a future discussion, but asked that the topic be addressed at another time.

"I think that, given the time, we don't continue that debate," Allison said.

Despite this warning, another member of the audience unsuccessfully tried to readdress the ethnic issue, literally shouting over Allison as he formally ended the panel discussion.

Last night's forum, Allison said, marked the beginning of the Caspian Studies Program, a three-year effort to educate Kennedy School students and national politicians about the region.