President calls for exposing Armenian terrorism

Turkish foreign minister Ismayil Cem arrived in Baku Sunday for several hours as part of his tour of Turkic-speaking nations and met with President Aliyev. Passing on greetings from his president and premier, Mr. Cem said the objective of the trip was to talk to the presidents of Azerbaijan and Central Asian republics about international developments, particularly those in Afghanistan following the September 11 terror attack on the US.

The Turkish minister also intends to focus on preparations for an international conference for European Union and the Organization of Islamic Conference member-states due in Istanbul. Chairman of the EU has repeatedly emphasized the importance of such a forum and Turkey would very much like President Aliyev to take part, Minister Cem said. The diplomat added that he had discussed the possibility of sending joint assistance to the fraternal people of Afghanistan in his meetings with the ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries.

Indicating that Azerbaijan and fraternal Turkey were strategic partners in all areas, President Aliyev attached a particular importance to combating international terrorism. He said terrorism had inflicted ferocious blows upon many countries in the past 40-50 years, while Turkey itself had experienced a wave of terror over 10-15 years, which has claimed tens of thousands of people's lives. Unfortunately, most of the world's countries did not heed that, he said.

In regard to Armenia's policy of aggression and terror, the head of state said the Dashnaktsutiun party, currently in power in Armenia, had been involved in terror since 1918. In those years, the Dashnaks killed the prime minister of the Azerbaijan People's Republic Fatalikhan Khoyski in Tbilisi, another leader of the Azerbaijan Republic was assassinated in Bukhara, etc. In 1988, Armenian terrorists stepped up anti-Azerbaijan activities by masterminding explosions in the Baku underground, buses, trains, ferryboats, bringing a total number of perpetrated crimes to 32.

"This has compelled us to join the international anti-terrorist crusade and will do so until terrorism is wiped out from the surface of earth", he announced.

Touching upon the occupation of Azeri lands by Armenia, the President indicated that despite the cease-fire regime in effect for 7 years there is still no peace. "Your support is very important to us", he added.

After a closed-door meeting, Mr. Cem left Baku for Ashgabat.