Nation

EVERY CITIZEN COULD SPEED UP REPEAL OF SECTION 907

The New York-based Turkish Forum is engaged in mobilizing forces of the Turkic world to support the US government's position toward repealing the unfair Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Many are already sending letters to the Congress and President Bush demanding to display courage and determination, a member of the Forum Azer Hasrat said Tuesday.

The Forum is calling on all Azeris to contribute to this struggle by logging on to www.azerhasret.4t.com, where phones, fax numbers and e-mail addresses of the Senate and President Bush are posted. The Forum urges everyone to send letters to these addresses. By spending just a few minutes of your time, you could help Azerbaijan achieve another great success, the appeal says.

RUSSIAN INTERIOR MINISTER IN BAKU

Russian interior minister Boris Grizlov is currently in Baku for a two-day visit on the invitation of his Azeri counterpart Ramil Usubov. The visit aims to focus on strengthening mutual cooperation in combating international terrorism. The two ministers centered on special operations in this direction, thwarting drug trafficking and preservation of Caspian bio-resources. The parties will sign a cooperation protocol for 2002 in conclusion of the meeting.

Min. Grizlov is also scheduled to meet with President Aliyev.

INDIAN-AZERI RELATIONS DISCUSSED IN BAKU

Indian deputy foreign minister R. M. Abhyankar paid an official visit to Azerbaijan on October 17-18, 2001. The visit coincided with the tenth anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence, as Mr. Abhyankar participated in the Independence Day celebrations.

On Thursday, Mr. Abhyankar was received by President Aliyev to convey greetings on behalf of the President, prime minister and the people of India.

The visiting deputy minister also met foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev, minister for economic development Farhad Aliyev and deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov for bilateral consultations.

MPs HIKING INSURANCE ALLOWANCES

Tuesday's meeting of the Milli Mejlis centered on the draft law "On ecological insurance", which lays out rights and responsibilities of enterprises insured against potential danger.

Reporting on the bill, MP Elton Mammadov said the draft is of vital importance to creating an insurance market in the country. MPs passed the bill in the first hearing with minor amendments, which include an increase of insurance amount from AZM55 million to AZM800 million.