Nation

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS EXPANDING

By Anar Jabrayilli Azernews Staff Writer

On August 23, President Aliyev accepted the credentials from the new German, Polish and Pakistani ambassadors to Azerbaijan, Messrs. Klaus Grewlich, Martin Navrot and Faiz Muhammad Khoso.

Handing his credentials to the head of state, the Pakistan ambassador Faiz Muhammad Khoso pointed out to a long history of bilateral relations, which encompass political, economic and cultural collaboration. He said mutual visits of the two countries' presidents, of Pakistan's in 1995 and of Azerbaijan's in 1996, further strengthened the relations between the fraternal nations. The ambassador stated with appreciation that Azerbaijan had always supported Pakistan in the Kashmir problem, while Pakistan has been sympathetic with Azerbaijan's cause in the Upper Garabagh conflict. Amb. Khoso added that President Pervez Musharraf was going to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan shortly on the invitation of President Heydar Aliyev. Confirming that Azerbaijan supports Pakistan's position in the Kashmir dispute, President Aliyev said with some regret that the two countries had been facing the problem of separatism. He then voiced his confidence that the mutually beneficial Azeri-Pakistani relations would continue developing.

IDPs READY TO FIGHT

The Garabagh Liberation Organization has held a protest action in front of a "GlavBakStroi" dormitory in Baku, which is temporary home to IDPs. Speakers voiced their indignation with the fact that the world is turning a blind eye to Azerbaijan's sores, that hundreds thousands of people have become refugees in their home country, that thousands others have fallen victim to Armenian aggression, and hundreds of women are still in Armenian captivity.

Protesters adopted a resolution, which passes a death penalty to Armenia's current president R. Kocharian for an attempt on Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. The document calls for mobilization of all resources of the country for liberation of Garabagh, urgent measures to revitalize the Azerbaijan army, and readiness of IDPs to fight for Garabagh.

SHEIK FORGIVES NEWSPAPER EDITOR

Hearings of a suit filed by the Caucasus clerical leader Sheik Pashazadeh against the chief editor of "Etimad" tabloid Etibar Guliyev lasted only a few minutes, as spokesman for the Clerical Office Haji Akif read the Sheik's appeal forgiving the editor. The court then ruled to close the case.

The suit had been filed after Etimad issued an publication insulting Sheik’s dignity. Muslims across the country, including President Aliyev, condemned the paper.

VISITORS SHOCKED WITH IDP PLIGHT

A delegation of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development led by the visiting deputy director of the department for Europe of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) John Weckmanlin visited Azeri IDPs settled in tent-camps in Bilasuvar, the State Committee on Refugees said in a statement Tuesday.

"I could never imagine that people could live in such crammed conditions for years", Mr. Weckmanlin said seeing a tent-house occupied by Mastan Hamzayeva's family of eight. "I have been deeply shocked. I hope that as a result of negotiations with the Azerbaijan government and our cooperation, we will be able to ease the burden of these problems", he said.