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EX-PREMIER HUSSEINOV: AMBASSADOR OF PEACE

On May 25-27, 2001, New York hosted a International Symposium sponsored by the Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP) in cooperation with the Federation "Families for Peace and Unity in the World". The Symposium was dedicated to "Serving the nation and serving the world: building peace through uniting families, communities and nations".

In the last two months of 2000, IIFWP sponsored several international educational programs in over 180 countries covering problems of strengthening families, moral and civil responsibility, development of self-consciousness and the position of living for others.

Also, in January 2001, IIFWP sponsored a meeting of World Leaders attended by over 800 people representing 150 countries. The meeting, held at the UN headquarters, concerned the "Dialog and harmony among civilizations". Further in February of this year, 400 leaders from more than 120 countries gathered in Washington for a IIFWP-organized educational program targeting the development of basic visions and key principles of family strengthening and fostering peace among nations.

The May Symposium in New York was based on the programs mentioned and was a continuation of the IIFWP effort to safeguard the culture of peace, as over 300 leaders from 120 countries took part.

Just like the January meeting, among the Symposium's honorary invitees was Azerbaijan's ex-Prime Minister Rahim Husseinov, who held numerous meetings with the world's leading political, state and public figures. Throughout his meetings Mr. Husseinov focused on the positive achievements facilitating the republic's interaction with the rest of the world. It is beyond a doubt that such meetings lay groundwork for overall peace, development and well-being of all nations and open up opportunities for resolving the most important problems of the mankind.

"The year 2001 is the year of dialog among civilizations and such meetings contribute a great deal to that", Mr. Husseinov said.

In his meetings, the ex-premier said that Azerbaijan had taken the course of independent development and is gradually shaking off the heritage of the old system.

"As the world is rapidly developing, the countries based not on the ideas of progress and human values but on those of totalitarianism and militarism are doomed to collapse and we have witnessed that ourselves. The newly-formed independent states such as Azerbaijan are going through a painful process of self-identification in the world arena and achieving real sovereignty and integration with the international community", he said.

The efforts of the New York Symposium are expected to further contribute to the commonwealth of nations and peace in the world.

In 2001, the Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace named R. Husseinov as Ambassador of Peace in recognition of his contribution to the enforcement of the Federation's ideas: high moral values, strong family life, inter-religious cooperation, international accord, etc. Ambassadors of Peace are to promote realization of people's hopes of peace in places where spiritual and materials lives are in harmony.

CIS PRESIDENTIAL CHIEFS-OF-STAFF COUNCIL SET UP

A meeting of CIS chiefs-of-staff held at the Gulustan Palace of Baku last week approved the by-laws of the Council of CIS chiefs-of-staff.

One of the key missions facing the Council is to restore economic ties disrupted after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Russian chief-of-staff Vladimir Kozhin told journalists. Attending the meeting were representatives of all CIS member-states, as well as the Mongolian chief-of-staff in the capacity of an observer.

Azerbaijan has signed agreements on cooperation with Byelorussia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Ukraine. Also signed was a final protocol on implementation of the agreements reached.

Participants focused on economic cooperation within the Council.

PRESIDENT ASKED FOR MERCY

Deputy chairperson of the human rights committee of former Interior Troops soldiers, Ruhiyya Agamammadova, told a news conference Monday that the committee had decided to appeal to President Aliyev through mass media and ask to pardon the imprisoned interior troops members.

According to her, most of the arrested members of the former interior troops are suffering from tuberculosis and need urgent medical treatment, while their families are in need of support. People who fought for Garabagh do not represent any threat to the society, she said.

R. Agamammadova regretted the exclusion of interior troopers from the list of political prisoners submitted to COE experts.

EX-AIDE TO THREE DEFENSE MINISTERS SUBPOENAED

Major Alakbar Mammadov, ex-aide to three defense ministers who also took part in the military action in Upper Garabagh in 1991-1993, told a news conference at the Press Club last Wednesday that he had been subpoenaed to the Nasimi district court 18 following a suit filed by current defense minister Safar Abiyev. The minister is demanding an apology for the insult of his honor and dignity and compensation in the amount of AZM150 million.

According to Mr. Mammadov, he was been dragged into the litigation after a series of newspaper interviews, where he spoke of rife corruption in the armed forces, embezzlement and mortality rate in the military.

"I am ready to prove my statements in court. All I am sorry about is that all these shading dealings discrediting the defense ministry will have to be raised again", the major said.

In conclusion, Mr. Mammadov said officers divulging the truth about the situation in the army have been persecuted for several years. "This is what compelled me to seek public support", he said.