President Aliyev leaves for Ashagabat summit

The top gathering is the first following the Soviet break-up to determine the Caspian status

President Heydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan left for Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Tuesday to take part in a summit of the Caspian nations. The Presidents of the littoral states are expected to sign a Caspian declaration in the Turkmen capital.

In an interview with journalists at the Bina Airport of Baku, the President said that the Caspian Presidents would come together at last to discuss the issues that had for a long time been under consideration of relevant working groups, bilateral and multilateral meetings.

On the alleged concession of 14.5% of the Sea to Iran, President Aliyev said he had no information on it.

Asked if Azerbaijan's arrears to Turkmenistan will be talked over, the President said "it was not the purpose of the meeting". He said Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran had no disputed fields.

On his health, the Azeri President said he felt well and would run for presidential elections in 2003.

Commenting on the opposition rally scheduled for April 27, President Aliyev noted that it had become a casual occurrence. "Women protested a few days ago, men are expected to hold a rally on April 27. Then, elders will take to streets", the President ridiculed.

The President is expecting fruits from the coming meeting with entrepreneurs on April 25. "In focus will be impediments that they face", he said. The Azeri leader regretted illegal checks being held recently by some law enforcers and errors being made in customs bodies that combine to keep down business development.

On the population of Armenians from Krasnodar, Russia in Upper Garabagh and the assaults of Moscow skinheads on Caucasian people, including Azerbaijanis, the President said he didn't put much faith in the former, while the latter was Russia's internal affair.