Nation

TRAFFIC POLICE POST ATTACKED IN IMISHLI

Employees of an Imishli traffic police station stopped a suspicious-looking "Zhiguli" car in the early hours of May 26 for identification purposes. Since documents neither of the driver nor of the car were produced, it was decided to tow the vehicle into police custody, according to an MIA source.

The driver, however, offered resistance by shooting a police sergeant Akram Ismayilov to death with a handgun, while the car passenger threw a hand grenade at the post. Another policeman on duty opened fire and killed one of the assailants, while the other was snatched by a group of policemen called to the scene.

Investigation is underway.

FORMER AIDE ADMONISHES AGAINST UNFAIR PEACE ACCORD

A key talking point in Azerbaijan is the Garabagh peace talks and outcomes of the recent visit by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region. It is clear that Geneva talks are highly unlikely to yield fruit. Even if the parties negotiate, no truce will be signed.

Attending a round-table, "Geneva talks - realities and targets", at the press club Thursday were former aide to the Azeri president Eldar Namazov, chairman of the PFPA reform wing Ali Karimov, leaders and representatives of other political parties. Speakers argued that western countries are trying to coax Azerbaijan to sign for unfair peace, while President Aliyev is reluctant as it may inflame social tensions and lead to instability.

It was also indicated that Russia is interested in protracting peace negotiations as it has not failed to station its military units in Azerbaijan. Neither has Russia secured its other interests in the region on the whole. E. Namazov said there is much discord between Russia and US over the Caucasus, as the two superpowers have not yet agreed on a Garabagh settlement plan. Therefore, Azerbaijan should avoid signing any agreements at this point.

Mr. Namazov believes that the conduct of rallies in the run-up to peace talks is not reasonable. A signature collecting campaign in support of Azerbaijan's just cause in the conflict should be launched, he said.

AZERBAIJAN COUNTING ON ARMENIA's CONSTRUCTIVE STANCE

"Azerbaijan is ready to provide Upper Garabagh with the highest self-administration status within the republic. This is the country's position in the settlement issue. Azerbaijan expects Armenia to take a constructive position and the Geneva talks may take place only after Armenia makes its position clear", head of the President's office international relations department Novruz Mammadov told a traditional news conference at the Yeni Azerbaijan HQs Friday.

Mr. Mammadov thinks that since the peace process will take a while, the timing for the Geneva talks may be altered. He did not rule out that the OSCE MG co-chairs may have to pay another visit to the region before then. The Azeri and Armenian presidents are also expected to meet on the fringes of the CIS Minsk summit on June 1.

Touching upon media publications suggesting that Azerbaijan is allegedly going to sign a defeatist peace treaty in Geneva, Mr. Mammadov said Baku would not sign an agreement hurting the national and state interests. It remains to be seen whether a final agreement will be signed in Geneva.

Asked about the possibility of abolishing the Minsk Group and creating a new format of negotiations, Mr. Mammadov said it was not necessary as MG endeavors had not yet been exhausted.

ERCAN MURAT LEAVING AZERBAIJAN

The UN Resident Representative in Azerbaijan Ercan Murat is expected to complete its mission in Azerbaijan late May and take a new position in Kyrgyzstan. Mr. Murat has worked in Azerbaijan since September 1997.

The UN official told a farewell news conference at the Hyatt Park Friday that during his four years in Azerbaijan he had paid special attention to such issues as restoration and de-mining of liberated Azeri territories, effective governance, human rights, assistance to small and medium enterprise, etc. Over this period, the UN has allotted $80 million to Azerbaijan and implemented various projects.

According to him, $3-3.5 million a year is needed to operate UN offices in Azerbaijan, which are 90% locally staffed.

Ercan Murat said he was leaving Azerbaijan with cordial feelings.

ITALY SEES GREAT CO-OP PROSPECTS AHEAD

Prospects of comprehensive relations between Azerbaijan and Italy in various spheres were in the focus of the first news conference in Baku by the Italian ambassador to Azerbaijan Mrs. Margarita Costa Friday.

The ambassador believes that there are good opportunities ahead for expanding collaboration.

The documents to be signed shortly are expected to diversify bilateral relations. For instance, the agreement on avoiding double taxation will encourage Italian companies to invest more in Azerbaijan. Also, draft cooperation agreements in the area of culture and tourism have been prepared.

Amb. Costa told journalists that Azeri and Italian educational and health institutions would also forge bilateral ties.

JOURNALISTS CONDEMN ABA CRACKDOWN

A news conference of ABA television company and the Union of Editors dedicated to the apprehension of the ABA financial director Shamil Safiyev was held at the Press Club Friday. The Ministry of Taxes is accusing Safiyev of tax evasion totaling AZM650 million and using a forged stamp and bills of lading when purchasing equipment for the company.

Speakers claimed that the allegations are ungrounded, demanded that Safiyev be released on bail and that the charge reconsidered.

Members of the Union of Editors threatened to appeal to international law and pledged to start publishing newspapers to wake up the public to the issue. Chairmen of the Journalistic Union Arif Aliyev, of the Committee of Human Rights of Journalists Aflatun Amashov and of the Trade Union of Journalists Azer Hasrat said they would take necessary measures.

EGYPT REAFFIRMS ECONOMIC INTEREST

An 8-people delegation led by the Head of the Commercial Representation in Kazakhstan, as well as the Director of the Department of Eastern Europe at the Egyptian Ministry of Economics and Foreign Trade, visited Azerbaijan May 19-24, 2001.

Five members of the delegation represented major pharmaceutical companies in Egypt, including EIPICO, SEDICO, Amoun Pharmaceutical, MUP and Pharco Pharmaceuticals. The delegation also included the Director of the Credit Department of the Egyptian Bank of Export Promotion.

During three working days in Baku, the delegation held meetings organized by Egyptian embassy in Azerbaijan, as Ambassador Gehan Amin Mohammed Ali participated to emphasize the importance his country's leaders attach to bilateral economic relations between private sectors of Egypt and Azerbaijan.

The contact established by the delegation with the ministries of agriculture and health, including Mr. Irshad Aliyev, Minister of Agriculture and Mr. Elsevar Agayev, Deputy Minister of Health, as well as their counterparts in the private sector, are expected to yield positive results to the mutual benefit of both parties.