News digest

ALIYEV PLEDGES TO RUN IN 2003

Addressing an official meeting dedicated to the 82nd anniversary of the Azerbaijan border troops on August 18, President Aliyev said he would run for presidency in 2003. The statement comes amid rumors on an impending change of power this fall.

PA CE MONITORING GROUP VISIT EXPECTED

A monitoring group from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is expected to visit Azerbaijan in September. The visit aims to examine Azerbaijan's record in fulfilling its commitments to the COE, according to a diplomatic source.

NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER TO LEAVE FOR IRAN

Negotiations on guarding the state borders of Azerbaijan and Iran, thwarting the illegal transit of drugs and weaponry across the territories of the two countries and other issues will be discussed during the upcoming visit to Iran by the Minister for National Security Namig Abbasov. Azerbaijan's ambassador to Iran Abbasali Hasanov has discussed visit related matters with the Iranian party.