From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Thu Feb 26 2004 - 08:29:34 EST
Envoy rules out obstacles to Azeri leader's visit to USA
Excerpt from unattributed report by Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat
on 25 February headlined "Ilham Aliyev's problem of America" and
subheaded "Reno
Harnish: 'His visit to the USA is a difficult issue', the envoy hopes
that the court will take a fair decision and the investigation will end
soon"
Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached an agreement on a meeting between
their official representatives in the near future, the US ambassador to
Azerbaijan, Reno Harnish, has told journalists. The ambassador, who did
not disclose specific details of the meeting, described it as a positive
thing.
According to Turan, Harnish said that the USA is doing everything
possible for a peaceful solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
"The USA is seriously dealing with the issue of continuing the talks,"
the ambassador said.
Asked about [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev's visit to the USA in
the near future, Harnish said: "We need to work on this issue. This
issue is a little bit difficult. The date for the visit should be named
in line with the two presidents' work schedules. I do not see any
obstacles to the Azerbaijani president's visit to the USA. We shall
receive the president with pleasure if he visits the USA in line with
his work schedule."
At the same time, Harnish shied away from answering whether Ilham Aliyev
has been invited to visit the USA.
Touching on the plight of opposition members arrested for the 15-16
October events [riots in Baku after the presidential elections], Harnish
expressed the hope that the court would take a fair decision. He also
expressed the hope that the investigation would end soon.
Source: Yeni Musavat, Baku in Azeri 25 Feb 04 p 6
BBC Mon TCU 250204 ek/vz
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