NEWS DIGEST

PRESIDENT TO VISIT ROMANIA IN APRIL

Romanian President Emil Constantinescu, while in Baku in 1998, reportedly invited the Azerbaijan President to pay an official visit to Romania.

Romanian ambassador Tasin Camil told journalists last week that the visit would take place approximately in April 2001. Although no preparations are currently underway, a number of documents are ready for signing. He added that timing of the visit depends on results of the parliamentary elections in Romania.

EUROPEAN EMBASSIES RECOGNIZE ELECTION RESULTS

European embassies accredited in Azerbaijan recognize results of the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan.

This was announced after Tthursday's meetings in Baku of members of the COE Venice Commission in the Milli Mejlis. It was indicated at the meeting that ambassadors, in their meetings with opposition leaders, encouraged them to take an active part in the re-election.

CLINTON SENDS LETTER TO ALIYEV

US ambassador to Azerbaijan Mr. Ross Wilson was received by President Aliyev last Wednesday to hand him the US President Clinton's letter of sympathy over those killed during the earthquake.

President Clinton spoke highly of the prompt response of Azeri authorities to the quake and expressed his country's readiness to provide necessary assistance.

The diplomat highlighted that shortly after the quake, US embassy's national staff were doing their best to support their US colleagues.

President Aliyev informed Amb. Wilson of the consequences of the calamity, saying that over 90 buildings and apartment blocks had been seriously damaged, schools closed in a number of areas, while some architectural structures cracked.

In conclusion, President Aliyev asked the ambassador to thank President Clinton for the message, saying that total damage would be calculated shortly and, if necessary, Azerbaijan would ask for assistance.

MG CO-CHAIRS EXPECTED ON VISIT

Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group are expected to pay another working visit to the region December 10-11. A diplomatic source has said the visit will be the next step toward a more active role of the OSCE in resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict. The visit will follow a meeting of the OSCE Foreign Ministers Council in Vienna, Austria.

Co-chairs are planning on front-line monitoring and negotiations with parties to the conflict.

OPPOSITION SCHEDULES ANOTHER RALLY

6 opposition parties have sent a letter to the Mayor's office announcing an intention to hold a nationwide rally on December 9 from 2 till 5 p.m. starting from the Azizbayov monument to the Galaba cinema. The demonstrators will voice their protests to parliamentary election. The rally, to be joined by some 10,000 people, will demand to void election results, conduct a new election, hold the guilty responsible, etc.

WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION HOLDS SESSION IN BAKU

The 44th session of the Political Commission of the World Customs Organization (WCO) started at "Hyatt regency" Tuesday. Besides the secretariat of the organization, the session is attended by customs officials from 17 member-states of the Political Commission, including Azerbaijan and 6 co-chairing nations.

WCO Secretary General Michelle Danet said the conduct of the session in Baku has tremendous significance and is explained by the interest of the organization in Azerbaijan.

The Commission usually holds sessions only in its Brussels HQs, but this time the exception was made in favor of Azerbaijan.

The 44th session of the Political Commission is expected to focus on budget control issues, revision accounting, identification of further functions of the organization, etc.

The session is scheduled to last till December 8.

Azernews

AzadInform