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Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 3 2004
VISIT OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV TO NAKHCHIVAN AUTONOMOUS
REPUBLIC
[September 03, 2004, 18:48:57]
The ceremony of opening of the Civil Defense Center of Nakhchivan was
held on 2 September, AzerTAj correspondent reports.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony.
***
On the same day, a swimming center was opened in the city of
Nakhchivan.
Head of Azerbaijan State attended the ceremony and made a speech.
***
After familiarization tour, Head of State answered questions of media
representatives.
Q. Mr. President, Your first arrival to Nakhchivan was taken with
great interests, this is the second one…
A: If you remember, staying here in May this year, we did visit the
school to learn how the work was going on and decided that I would
arrive here again to attend its opening. I always keep my word, as
you know, and now I am here. Taking the chance I've also visited
other large objects in Nakhchivan including the Swimming and Civil
Defense Centers. After midnight we'll hold a meeting at the Supreme
Majlis. I've made sure once again that Nakhchivan had become more
beautiful and developed. Nakhchivan is an ancient Azerbaijan's land,
a strategic area of Azerbaijan, and everybody must take every effort
to strengthen Nakhchivan both from military and economic standpoints
for the people here to live better.
Q. Mr. President, your visit to Paris is expected in the next few
days. May we have the date of the visit, and are bilateral meetings
expected there?
A: This will be a working visit. The bilateral meetings are expected
during the first ten days of September.
Q. Mr. President, in the last days, Russia, Moscow is overwhelmed by
the wave of terror. What do think about it?
A: I have expressed sympathy to Head of Russia Mr. Putin. This is a
great trouble, great menace. Azerbaijan itself used to suffer from
terrorism. We are well aware what it is. It's very difficult to fight
terror. Fighting terrorist attacks around the world needs
consolidation of all forces, all countries. We most resolutely
condemn the terror acts committed in the last days in Russia. We hope
the crisis will be settled soon, and the hostages released.
Q. You will have to meet with Armenian President. Armenia is
conducting military exercises. There is an opinion in our public that
the negotiations are useless. How do see the prospects of the
upcoming talks?
A: Since I haven't yet rejected the talks, then I hope for them to
bring results. If you remember, I stated more than once that I was
not going to just imitate the negotiations. As soon as I am sure the
talks are ineffective and that I don't believe in their future, then
Azerbaijan will be the first to reject the negotiations. What I can
say now is that there is a need to continue the talks. The talks are
going on, foreign ministers meet. Of course, sometimes you are
unsatisfied with their answers to your questions on the matter, but
it is normal as the negotiations are confidential. We have not yet
come to a certain result. But the talks cover concrete issues. I want
to hope that they will be effective. Azerbaijan's lands will be
released and its territorial integrity restored.
Q. Mr. President, the judge passed the sentence on the members of the
Organization of Karabakh Liberation. Do you agree with the verdict
not as a President but a citizen Ilham Aliyev?
A: Good question. As a President I cannot and don't want to interfere
in the court's decision. But as a citizen, I consider the sentence
passed is not adequate to their actions. It 's too hard penalty; as a
citizen I can't back up the decision. I would recommend addressing
the Court of Appeal, and I hope the issue will be resolved. At the
same time, the Law is for everybody. One should not idealize any
organization or person. Authorized structures and persons in
Azerbaijan are working hard on the resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The president, foreign
minister, defense minister and other relevant structures know their
jobs well. They know well when and what step they should take. So,
the public has to have adequate attitude to such organizations. We
should not make an image of hero for anybody. Of course, every
organization has its own position, but everything should be exercised
within the limits of Law. We are building a legal state and stand for
supremacy of Law. So, every citizen must honor the Law. But I want to
repeat that the verdict brought in is too severe, and as a citizen, I
don't agree with that. I hope the problem will be fairly solved.
Q. Mr. President, the other day You appointed ambassadors to four
countries. What would you comment on this?
A: I consider this decision as very important, Azerbaijan should take
more active part in the international community, defend its stance.
Azerbaijan has few representative offices abroad, so it had been
planned to open more embassies.
Q. Mr. President, is a new decree on pardon expected in the near
future.
A: Yes, it is.
Q. Mr. President, during the upcoming CIS Heads of State summit in
Astana, Russia intends to raise the question on the double standards
at OSCE. May we have your opinion on the issue?
A: Our opinion was expressed during the July summit when Azerbaijan
didn't sign the statement. There were reasons for doing so then. We,
as a country, are pursuing independent policy, and this independence
is most important for us. We can also make claims on OSCE. I
personally expressed them our claims quite sharply, they are
reflected in official documents. But these issues concern us only.
The question is of political character and Azerbaijan does not intend
to interfere with that. We are pursuing our policy independently, it
was not accidental that I didn't sign the statement in July, and
won't this time.
Q. Mr. President, is the Council of Europe going to discuss
Azerbaijan related issue?
A: Hope the discussion will be constructive. There is not any problem
between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe. At the moment, our
relations with the Council of Europe are being developed; the
organization meets the political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan
with approval. I am very pleased of this. I expect that the issue of
honoring commitments will be discussed along the way; there may be
some recommendations or certain criticism, but that is quite normal.
Q. Mr. President, Nakhchivan has been living under blockade for 12
years. Nevertheless, considerable accomplishments have been gained.
Don't you think the time has come to give the rank of city-hero to
Nakhchivan?
A: You know, it's an obsolete practice. We should abandon the Soviet
experience. The ranks would reflect nothing then. Heroism must be
reflected in people's attitude to their city and country. Our
national leader Heydar Aliyev paid special attention to Nakhchivan
not because he had been born here but because he realized very well
how important Nakhchivan is for Azerbaijan. We continue to follow
this policy, and I am very happy the good job done by local
authorities brings yields.
Q. Mr. President, after the meeting with President Khatami, you did
not presented detailed information on the North-South corridor. Was
the issue generally discussed?
A: Of course, it was. We don't have any difference of opinion. Both
Iran and we have concern in the functioning of the corridor,
Azerbaijan's joining it, and certain steps have been taken and talks
held with this respect. It is very important for us. Maybe this issue
was not reflected in a document but was seriously discussed. If all
these agreements are realized, Nakhchivan will be completely supplied
with electricity and gas in two years.
Thank you.
***
On September 2, President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev held an
enlarged meeting at the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic. He addressed the meeting with an opening remark. The
President noted in particular that Nakhchivan is now rapidly
developing and that good job in municipal improvements has been done
in the republic. He also mentioned the strengthening of the
republic's infrastructure. As I mentioned earlier today, he said, 70
thousand new jobs have been opened here since the presidential
elections; all these facts show that we are on the right way.
The Head of State further touched upon the energy problems in
Nakhchivan. Nakhchivan has been living under blockade for many years.
Supply of natural gas from Azerbaijan is impossible, while
electricity supply does not fully meet the demands. However,
appropriate measures have been taken to completely supply Nakhchivan
with natural gas and electricity, President Ilham Aliyev said.
Following the presidential remarks, the meeting participants have
held a comprehensive opinions exchange on the mentioned issues.
***
In the evening on the same day, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
returned to Baku.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Sept 3 2004
VISIT OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV TO NAKHCHIVAN AUTONOMOUS
REPUBLIC
[September 03, 2004, 18:48:57]
The ceremony of opening of the Civil Defense Center of Nakhchivan was
held on 2 September, AzerTAj correspondent reports.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony.
***
On the same day, a swimming center was opened in the city of
Nakhchivan.
Head of Azerbaijan State attended the ceremony and made a speech.
***
After familiarization tour, Head of State answered questions of media
representatives.
Q. Mr. President, Your first arrival to Nakhchivan was taken with
great interests, this is the second one…
A: If you remember, staying here in May this year, we did visit the
school to learn how the work was going on and decided that I would
arrive here again to attend its opening. I always keep my word, as
you know, and now I am here. Taking the chance I've also visited
other large objects in Nakhchivan including the Swimming and Civil
Defense Centers. After midnight we'll hold a meeting at the Supreme
Majlis. I've made sure once again that Nakhchivan had become more
beautiful and developed. Nakhchivan is an ancient Azerbaijan's land,
a strategic area of Azerbaijan, and everybody must take every effort
to strengthen Nakhchivan both from military and economic standpoints
for the people here to live better.
Q. Mr. President, your visit to Paris is expected in the next few
days. May we have the date of the visit, and are bilateral meetings
expected there?
A: This will be a working visit. The bilateral meetings are expected
during the first ten days of September.
Q. Mr. President, in the last days, Russia, Moscow is overwhelmed by
the wave of terror. What do think about it?
A: I have expressed sympathy to Head of Russia Mr. Putin. This is a
great trouble, great menace. Azerbaijan itself used to suffer from
terrorism. We are well aware what it is. It's very difficult to fight
terror. Fighting terrorist attacks around the world needs
consolidation of all forces, all countries. We most resolutely
condemn the terror acts committed in the last days in Russia. We hope
the crisis will be settled soon, and the hostages released.
Q. You will have to meet with Armenian President. Armenia is
conducting military exercises. There is an opinion in our public that
the negotiations are useless. How do see the prospects of the
upcoming talks?
A: Since I haven't yet rejected the talks, then I hope for them to
bring results. If you remember, I stated more than once that I was
not going to just imitate the negotiations. As soon as I am sure the
talks are ineffective and that I don't believe in their future, then
Azerbaijan will be the first to reject the negotiations. What I can
say now is that there is a need to continue the talks. The talks are
going on, foreign ministers meet. Of course, sometimes you are
unsatisfied with their answers to your questions on the matter, but
it is normal as the negotiations are confidential. We have not yet
come to a certain result. But the talks cover concrete issues. I want
to hope that they will be effective. Azerbaijan's lands will be
released and its territorial integrity restored.
Q. Mr. President, the judge passed the sentence on the members of the
Organization of Karabakh Liberation. Do you agree with the verdict
not as a President but a citizen Ilham Aliyev?
A: Good question. As a President I cannot and don't want to interfere
in the court's decision. But as a citizen, I consider the sentence
passed is not adequate to their actions. It 's too hard penalty; as a
citizen I can't back up the decision. I would recommend addressing
the Court of Appeal, and I hope the issue will be resolved. At the
same time, the Law is for everybody. One should not idealize any
organization or person. Authorized structures and persons in
Azerbaijan are working hard on the resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The president, foreign
minister, defense minister and other relevant structures know their
jobs well. They know well when and what step they should take. So,
the public has to have adequate attitude to such organizations. We
should not make an image of hero for anybody. Of course, every
organization has its own position, but everything should be exercised
within the limits of Law. We are building a legal state and stand for
supremacy of Law. So, every citizen must honor the Law. But I want to
repeat that the verdict brought in is too severe, and as a citizen, I
don't agree with that. I hope the problem will be fairly solved.
Q. Mr. President, the other day You appointed ambassadors to four
countries. What would you comment on this?
A: I consider this decision as very important, Azerbaijan should take
more active part in the international community, defend its stance.
Azerbaijan has few representative offices abroad, so it had been
planned to open more embassies.
Q. Mr. President, is a new decree on pardon expected in the near
future.
A: Yes, it is.
Q. Mr. President, during the upcoming CIS Heads of State summit in
Astana, Russia intends to raise the question on the double standards
at OSCE. May we have your opinion on the issue?
A: Our opinion was expressed during the July summit when Azerbaijan
didn't sign the statement. There were reasons for doing so then. We,
as a country, are pursuing independent policy, and this independence
is most important for us. We can also make claims on OSCE. I
personally expressed them our claims quite sharply, they are
reflected in official documents. But these issues concern us only.
The question is of political character and Azerbaijan does not intend
to interfere with that. We are pursuing our policy independently, it
was not accidental that I didn't sign the statement in July, and
won't this time.
Q. Mr. President, is the Council of Europe going to discuss
Azerbaijan related issue?
A: Hope the discussion will be constructive. There is not any problem
between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe. At the moment, our
relations with the Council of Europe are being developed; the
organization meets the political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan
with approval. I am very pleased of this. I expect that the issue of
honoring commitments will be discussed along the way; there may be
some recommendations or certain criticism, but that is quite normal.
Q. Mr. President, Nakhchivan has been living under blockade for 12
years. Nevertheless, considerable accomplishments have been gained.
Don't you think the time has come to give the rank of city-hero to
Nakhchivan?
A: You know, it's an obsolete practice. We should abandon the Soviet
experience. The ranks would reflect nothing then. Heroism must be
reflected in people's attitude to their city and country. Our
national leader Heydar Aliyev paid special attention to Nakhchivan
not because he had been born here but because he realized very well
how important Nakhchivan is for Azerbaijan. We continue to follow
this policy, and I am very happy the good job done by local
authorities brings yields.
Q. Mr. President, after the meeting with President Khatami, you did
not presented detailed information on the North-South corridor. Was
the issue generally discussed?
A: Of course, it was. We don't have any difference of opinion. Both
Iran and we have concern in the functioning of the corridor,
Azerbaijan's joining it, and certain steps have been taken and talks
held with this respect. It is very important for us. Maybe this issue
was not reflected in a document but was seriously discussed. If all
these agreements are realized, Nakhchivan will be completely supplied
with electricity and gas in two years.
Thank you.
***
On September 2, President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev held an
enlarged meeting at the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic. He addressed the meeting with an opening remark. The
President noted in particular that Nakhchivan is now rapidly
developing and that good job in municipal improvements has been done
in the republic. He also mentioned the strengthening of the
republic's infrastructure. As I mentioned earlier today, he said, 70
thousand new jobs have been opened here since the presidential
elections; all these facts show that we are on the right way.
The Head of State further touched upon the energy problems in
Nakhchivan. Nakhchivan has been living under blockade for many years.
Supply of natural gas from Azerbaijan is impossible, while
electricity supply does not fully meet the demands. However,
appropriate measures have been taken to completely supply Nakhchivan
with natural gas and electricity, President Ilham Aliyev said.
Following the presidential remarks, the meeting participants have
held a comprehensive opinions exchange on the mentioned issues.
***
In the evening on the same day, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
returned to Baku.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress