Oriental Rugs the O'Connell Notes

Notes on President Heydar Aliyev

The late Heydar Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Ran on the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) ticket and won with 2,556,059 votes (76.11% of the total ballots cast)

Very good record on Human Rights.

Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen (right) escorts President Heydar
Aliyev (left), of the Azerbaijani Republic, through an honor cordon and
into the Pentagon on Feb. 24, 2000. The two men and their senior advisors
will meet to discuss a range of regional security issues of interest to both
nations. DoD photo by R. D. Ward. (Released)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 1, 1997

FACT SHEET

Presidential Signing Ceremony

At the conclusion of their White House meetings on August 1, President Clinton and Azerbaijani President Aliyev signed a Joint Statement on U.S.-Azerbaijani Relations and the U.S.-Azerbaijan Bilateral Investment Treaty.

The Joint Statement reflects the broad nature of cooperation between the United States and Azerbaijan and underlines the commitment of the two Presidents to work for a closer partnership. The statement notes:

the strong interest of both Presidents in achieving peace this year in Nagorno-Karabakh;
the Presidents' agreement on the need for a strengthened commitment by Azerbaijan to political pluralism, economic reform and rule of law;
the importance the Presidents attach to the expanding commercial relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan, particularly in the development of Caspian energy resources;
the Presidents' desire to see Azerbaijan's continued integration into the global economy as well as emerging European security structures; and
the Presidents' support for closer contacts among the peoples of the two countries.

The U.S.-Azerbaijani Bilateral Investment Treaty creates a stronger basis for trade and investment relations between the United States and Azerbaijan. It is a key element of an open investment climate and will further strengthen economic links between the United States and Azerbaijan.

Bilateral investment treaties guarantee the right to invest in both countries on terms no less favorable than those accorded domestic or third-country investors, in most sectors. They also guarantee the free transfer of capital, profits and royalties, freedom from performance requirements that distort trade and investment flows, access to international arbitration, and internationally recognized standards for expropriation and compensation. This is the 17th bilateral investment treaty signed during the Clinton Administration and brings the total number of bilateral investment treaties signed by the United States to 40.

The Vice President and President Aliyev separately presided over the signing of contracts between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and the U.S. companies Exxon, Mobil and Chevron (and Amoco.) http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/08/1997-08-01-fact-sheet-on-the-signing-ceremony-with-azerbaijan.html

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 1, 1997

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Visit of President Heydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan

The President was pleased to welcome President Aliyev of Azerbaijan to the White House today. He said that President Aliyev's visit marks a milestone in the partnership between our nations and shows the promise of our growing cooperation.

The President reaffirmed that America strongly supports Azerbaijan's efforts to build a strong, independent nation because we have a major stake in its success. Azerbaijan lies at the strategic crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It is the gateway to Central Asia. It is rich in natural resources. A confident, sovereign Azerbaijan will promote stability in a troubled region, provide a secure route for east-west trade, and enable swift, reliable transport of its energy resources to world markets.

The President noted that under President Aliyev's leadership, Azerbaijan has made significant progress in meeting the challenges of independence. The United States wants that progress to continue -- so the people of Azerbaijan can share the full benefits of democracy, prosperity and security.

The President emphasized that a key to that goal is an early, peaceful settlement to the tragic conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Together with Russia and France in the OSCE Minsk Group, we are working with the parties to find a just and lasting solution -- but the parties themselves must make the tough decisions peace requires. Only through peace can the states of the Caucasus develop their full potential.

The President pointed to Azerbaijan's vast energy resources as a clear example of that potential. The Caspian Sea basin is a vital region for new oil and gas development, and the decisions made in the years ahead on energy extraction and transportation will profoundly affect generations to come. As the President explained, in a world of growing energy demand, our nation cannot afford to rely on any single region for our energy supplies. By working with Azerbaijan to tap the Caspian's resources, we not only help Azerbaijan to prosper, we also help diversify our energy supply and strengthen our nation's security.

President Clinton and President Aliyev signed a Joint Statement that reinforces our two nations' commitment to expand our partnership, promote regional peace and help Azerbaijan play its rightful role in Europe's new security structures. They also signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty that will create a better basis for our trade and investment, help promote an open business climate in Azerbaijan and further strengthen our economic ties.

In closing, President Clinton told President Aliyev that we want Azerbaijan to become our full partner -- stable in its democracy, secure in its independence and working at peace with its neighbors. http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/08/1997-08-01-visit-of-president-heydar-aliyev-of-azerbaijan.html