Nation

Defense Minister hoping for the last US say on conflict

By Azernews Staff

Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev hoped for the US's last say on the resolution of the decade-long Garabagh conflict and its crucial role in eliminating the consequences of the Armenian occupation.

Mr. Abiyev was meeting with a delegation of the European Command of the US Armed Forces led by special operations commander, Brigade General Lesley Fuller Wednesday. Also taking part in the meeting was assistant US ambassador to Azerbaijan Nancy McDowney

The Azeri minister called to end Armenia's ‘destructive mission’ assigned by certain countries, accusing it of sponsoring and harboring terrorists. Warning of the threat of accumulation of weapons in the run-up to the Baku-Ceyhan construction, S. Abiyev urged to take prompt measures to resolve the conflict.

In her turn, the US assistant ambassador supported the minister’s words.

The defense chief highly estimated growing US-Azeri military cooperation and wished its deepening.

"The cooperation has become even closer after the visit of the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his negotiations with President Aliyev”.

“Azerbaijan's joining in the anti-terror coalition following the September 11 have brought us much closer", he noted.

Stressing Azerbaijan’s strategic importance, General Fuller said representatives from the US navy and special service would visit Baku this year.

According to him, a humanitarian demining center will be set up in Baku to provide training and logistical solutions.

Anti-terror co-op

The Defense Minister reaffirmed Azerbaijan's intention to be involved in further anti-terror operations, informing that the Azeri military will also be on a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.

US embassy official Nancy McDowney outlined a new area for US-Azeri defense cooperation with participation of US companies in the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Pipeline to take Caspian hydrocarbons to international markets.

Minister Abiyev stressed that accumulation of a great number of weapons and ammunition in the Azeri lands occupied by Armenia amid the commencement of the construction causes a real jeopardy for the project.

In response, Mrs. McDowney said "We are of the same vision. Work is underway and, as Aliyev puts it, we are on the peace track and will reach solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict".

Religious committee chief visiting the US

Chairman of the State Committee on Religious Entities Rafig Aliyev left for Washington, D.C. for a ten day visit Sunday on the invitation of the US Department of State as part of the International Guests program.

Mr. Aliyev was to hold meetings at the Department, the Congress Commission on Human Rights, the Institute of Peace and Democracy, as well as with representatives of the Washington Islam Center, the Department of State reporter on Azerbaijan Nancy Hewett and former US ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Kozlarich to focus on state-religion relations. He will also hold meetings at the editorial office of the Washington Post, according to the State Committee.

CHF overhauls school

CHF International has renovated school #196 in Hovsan settlement, outside Baku Friday. The school, which serves nearly 600 conflict-affected children and IDPs, was in terrible condition. All doors and windows have now been replaced. The sewage system has been replaced and new toilets installed. The exposed electrical systems have been repaired, a new water pump has been installed and the outside of the school has been painted.

These renovations are part of CHF's Social Investment Initiative program (SII), which is made possible through funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) via Mercy Corps.

This first project is the combined effort of CHF staff, the local community of refugees, who have contributed $1200 and local Executive Committee, which painted the fence around the school, provided lights for the schoolyard, repaired the roof, provided plants and flowers to be planted in the schoolyard and benches to be installed on the school lawns.

To date, CHF has completed 65 projects, including the refurbishment of medical facilities, the renovation of communal bathhouses, the installation of water lines, the rehabilitation of electric systems and road repair and construction.

Currently, there are 60 projects in implementation and another 100 in the planning and development stages.

German envoy awards scholarships

German ambassador to Azerbaijan Claus Grevlich has awarded over 80 Azeri students, young research workers and scientists with 50,000 Euro worth of scholarships, as the best students and research workers are expected to study in Germany.

Attending the awarding ceremony were Azeri Minister for Education Misir Mardanov, employee of the Baku Office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), representatives from the University of Languages, the Technical University, the Oil Academy, the Economic University, the Music Academy and Baku State University.

New book published

Azeri writer Adgozal Mammadov has had his new book published on one of the biggest dynasties in the Muslim world, Saudis, the founders of Saudi Arabia. The publication analyzes the geographic and political situation in the world, especially from the end of the 18th century up to now.

The author provides a comprehensive analysis of geopolitical interaction and international situation when the Saudi kingdom was being set up.

The book portrays the founders and rulers of the monarchy, with a special emphasis on its founding father Abd al-Aziz ibn Abdurrahman ibn Saud. This is the author's third book after the "psychological portraits of political leaders: Stalin, Hitler, Trotsky and Baghirov" and "X-hour of Muammar Gaddafi".

First national barbers' champ

The first national barbers' championship is due on June 25. Taking part in the contest will be barbers and cosmetologists from the Azerbaijan Fashion Association.

Tram rams into shop

Tram #5 crashed into a shop at J. Mammadguluzadeh St. after derailing in Nasimi district of Baku Monday morning, injuring 2 passengers. The cause of the accident is said to have been an instant power cut, according to the Traffic Police Department of Baku.

Center for Garabagh researches proposed

The first nationwide scientific and practical conference "Garabagh: yesterday, today and tomorrow" closed at the Irshad Hotel Saturday. It was organized by the Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO).

GLO chairman Akif Naghi told journalists that the conference that brought together political analysts, scholars, independent experts, and representatives from political parties, public organizations and the Soros Foundation was held in two sections: Garabagh's history, culture and ecology and ways of resolving the conflict. The forum aimed to prepare a common nationwide work plan for elimination of consequences of the Armenian aggression, formation of a common position and search for ways of solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict.

The conference adopted a document recommending that regular scientific seminars, yearly conferences and an international conference on Garabagh be held. It was proposed to set up a center for scientific researches into Garabagh-related issues under the GLO and publish a collection of reports on the conference in Azerbaijani, Russian and English.

Participants in the conference stated that the GLO should coordinate the operation of all parties, NGOs and independent political analysts that attend to Garabagh issues and decided to apply to the Ministry of Justice for GLO registration.