Russia, Kazakhstan support Azerbaijan

Iran’s anxiety seems to have been allayed as four littoral nations plan on Caspian division

President Aliyev returned to Baku from Sochi, Russia, Friday, where he attended an informal CIS Summit. He told journalists at the Bina airport of Baku that during the casual gathering, first in 10 years, he had held bilateral discussions with several presidents. H. Aliyev described as particularly important his meeting with President Putin of Russia.

During a meeting of three presidents, of Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, the parties voiced their negative attitude to what happened in southern Caspian. All the three states expressed their unanimity in the Caspian issue, saying that Kazakh-Russian and Azeri-Russian agreements meet international requirements.

This position was confirmed by President Putin’s statement of the principles to be abided by in dealing with the problem: a) Caspian must be the zone of peace and stability, b) the status issue must be resolved on the basis of consensus, c) the use of force is unacceptable.

Indicating that he had also met with his Armenian counterpart, President Aliyev said, "I cannot divulge the details of this meeting until results are achieved".

Asked whether the unity of Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in the Caspian status issue can make Iran reverse its policy, the President answered that he could not say anything on behalf of Tehran.

When asked about his reaction to the readiness of some 1,000 intellectuals from Southern Azerbaijan (Iran) to fulfil any order of the Azeri president, H. Aliyev said it was not necessary.

"We don't want our relations with Iran to deteriorate. There are 30 million Azeris living in the north of Iran and they are citizens of Iran. We recognize the territorial integrity of all countries and will not stand any interference with our internal affairs", the President said.

He then described the appeal by the mentioned group of intellectuals as manifestation of their sympathy, but pledged not to go for provocation. H. Aliyev added that his visit to Iran scheduled for August is still on agenda.

Touching upon Turkmenistan's recent territorial claims in the Caspian, the head of state replied that Ashgabat's arguments do not meet international norms. He said negotiations would continue.

In regard to the opinion of the Armenian administration that Armenian-Azeri talks would succeed only if held on the basis of the Paris negotiations, H. Aliyev said several alternatives had been discussed in France, but none of them was agreed upon. He added that neither the Paris nor any other stages in the talks should be viewed separately, as they are all parts of one process. H. Aliyev stated that he would continue meeting with the Armenian President.

Asked whether BP would suspend operations on the disputed field if Azerbaijan does not agree with Iran, the President said he had not been informed by the company and added that operations would be held on all fields in accordance with the contracts signed.

President Aliyev stated that he would soon declare August 1 the Day of Alphabet and congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the transition to Latin script. He then criticized national television channels for showing films in the Russian language, saying all foreign films must be translated into Azeri.

Tehran vows to guard its sector

Iran is strong enough to guard its Caspian Sea sector, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told a news conference in Tehran Monday. Until the status of the Caspian is determined, Iran will be taking resolute measures against foreign companies attempting to engage, without Iran's consent, in operations "in Iran's 20% territorial waters sector", he said.

"We have no reason to be worried about the Caspian status, as we are strong enough to defend ourselves", Mr. Asefi said.

Commenting on the strain in the Azeri-Iranian relations, Mr. Asefi indicated that Tehran does not support such tensions and stands for the policy of disarmament. He also expressed a hope that all disputed issued would be resolved in peace on the basis of mutual understanding.

Chairman of Iran's state consultative council, ex-president of Iran Ayatollah Khashemi Rafsanjani has pointed out to the existence of foreign forces interested in undermining Azeri-Iranian relations. According to the Iranian embassy in Baku, Mr. Rafsanjani said this in a meeting with a delegation of Azeri teachers in Tehran.

In regard to the Caspian theme, ex-president said, "it is necessary to be vigilant and exercise caution for potential provocations on part of our enemies, who try to embroil the two Muslim nations".

Nationwide protest

Chairman of the human rights committee of world Azerbaijanis Boyuk Rasuloglu told a roundtable conference "Results of Iranian aggression against Azerbaijan" at the Musavat Party's headquarters Saturday that Iran's recent aggression in the Caspian was not at all caused by the disagreement of the two countries as to an oil-field, but by the strengthening national liberation movement in South Azerbaijan.

According to him, Iranian authorities, despite the best of their effort, failed in late June to prevent the gathering of some 700,000 Azeris at the Baze fort near Ardebil on the birthday anniversary of the Azerbaijan national hero Babak. B. Rasuloglu says Tehran "is simply frustrated", which has prompted it to the July 23 incident.

The conference, organized by the Union for Integral Azerbaijan, was attended by representatives of a number of public and human rights organizations.

Speakers stated that it is necessary to resolutely oppose the Iranian threat. Chairman of the Union of Officers said it was worth stationing Turkish troops in Azerbaijan.

In conclusion, it was unanimously agreed to conduct an all-national protest action, but its timing was not set.

More anti-Iranian pickets

The Union for Integral Azerbaijan held a picket outside Iranian Culture Center Friday in protest to Iran’s repeated violation of the Azerbaijan state border. Around 60 people took part in the action, chanting "End to Iran's spying activity in Azerbaijan".

Police did not allow picketers to approach the center and asked to disperse, but protesters managed to read a resolution. Deputy sheriff of the Yasamal district police promised to forward the resolution where necessary.

Too lenient

The Union of Pro-Azerbaijan Forces discussed the Azeri-Iranian relations last week, as some condemned opposition parties of adding fuel to the fire, while others accused the authorities for failing to express a resolute position.

They said the government must dramatically reconsider its internal and external policies. "Caspian Sea must not become a zone of armament and Azerbaijan a shooting range", the meeting decided.

Boycotting Iranian goods

The Civil Unity Party has called on the people of Azerbaijan to boycott Iranian goods.

"Considering Iran's aggression in the Caspian Sea and the unabashed behavior on the political scene, the people of Azerbaijan must demonstrate solidarity and refuse to purchase Iranian goods". The party believes that the state must support the population in this.

Regret

Chairman of the Adalat Party Ilyas Ismayilov met with the advisor to the Iranian embassy for political issues Mr. Abulfaz Sharifi. According to the party's news release, the parties exchanged views over the latest developments in the Caspian and the subsequent strain in Azeri-Iranian relations.

Mr. Sharifi expressed his regret over the incident, saying there are forces interested in undermining bilateral relations. He indicated that some of the information is seriously embellished.

Mr. Ismayilov stated that the Caspian incident must be resolved through negotiations and the party responsible must offer an apology.