Periodicals from Russia and the CIS.

Turan Agency

NEWS AGENCY

INFORMASIYA AGENTLIYI

18.12.00

POLITICS. ISSUE - I

* JOINT DELEGATION OF PACE AND OSCE ODIHR HELD SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH AZERI AUTHORITIES AND OPPOSITION LEADERS LAST WEEKEND

* MISSION PACE - OSCE ODIHR CONTINUES 'SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY' BETWEEN
AUTHORITIES AND OPPOSITION

* MEETINGS OF FIVE LITTORAL STATES' DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTERS SCHEDULED FOR END JANUARY 2001

* WASHINGTON HOPES KAZAKHSTAN TO DETERMINE GUARANTEED BULK OF OIL
DELIVERIES FOR MEP IN FEBRUARY 2001

* PRESS REVIEW - 18.12.00

JOINT DELEGATION OF PACE AND OSCE ODIHR HELD SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH AZERI AUTHORITIES AND OPPOSITION LEADERS LAST WEEKEND

BAKU/18.12.00/TURAN: Last Saturday and Sunday a joint delegation of PACE
and OSCE headed by Andreas Gross and Gerard Studman, ODIHR Director, held a series of meetings with Azeri President and opposition leaders.

During the meeting with Heidar Aliyev on Saturday Andreas Gross said he
is pleased with Azeri President's statement about the necessity to eliminate parliamentary elections irregularities. He noted, however, preparation for the repeated elections to be held at 11 districts again causes "concern."

Heidar Aliyev said elections are held by the Central Election Commission, but not Azeri President. Meanwhile, he expressed readiness to hear out comments of a joint mission PACE-OSCE. President
Aliyev has emphasized a possibility to carry out joint work to eliminate the shortcomings.

On the same day the guests met leaders of Musavat and National Independence parties as well as Ali Kerimov, leader of the Popular Front party's reformers wing.

After the meetings the PACE-OSCE mission has been again received by Azeri President. The meeting held in absence of independent journalists lasted several hours. No details concerning the
meeting results are available.

As well-informed sources told TURAN, the objective of the joint mission is to persuade the opposition leaders to repeatedly run for the parliament at 11 districts. The authorities, however, are
proposed to provide maximum favourable conditions for the opposition's participation at repeated elections.

MISSION PACE - OSCE ODIHR CONTINUES 'SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY' BETWEEN
AUTHORITIES AND OPPOSITION

BAKU/18.12.00/TURAN: Results of November 5 parliamentary election and repeated elections at 11 districts were discussed at the meeting between Ali Kerimov, leader of PPFA reformers
wing, and united delegation PACE-OSCE on Sunday.

As Kerimov told journalists today at a press conference, they have exchanged opinions on the possibility of participation of newly elected opposition Deputies at parliament work. Kerimov said
representatives of international organizations have once again stressed an importance of participation of opposition in parliament work, irrespective of degree of elections' falsification.

However, Ali Kerimov hinted the mission's opinion will not affect the party's position. "PPFA takes decisions by itself. Neither opinion of other parties, nor position of international organizations could be a key factor for our party," he said. Kerimov said PPFA stands in favour of Azerbaijan's integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures and could take into account these recommendations, if this is in the interests of Azerbaijan.

He denied the authorities' statements that the opposition is to blame for Azerbaijan's problems with membership in the Council of Europe. "The Azeri authorities should observe their commitments to CE," said PPFA leader.

Asked by TURAN whether declaration of elections results in some more districts void and simultaneous postponing of repeated elections has been discussed at the meeting, Kerimov answered
negatively. But the guests were interested whether serious irregularities occurred at some other districts and what could be done to ensure participation of the opposition at repeated elections, said Kerimov.

Representatives of PACE-OSCE "have openly stated they wish PNIA takes part at repeated elections and is represented in the Council of Europe," Etibar Mamedov, leader of National Independence party, told journalists upon completion of the meeting with the delegation members yesterday.

Mamedov also noted PNIA did not take decision on participation at repeated elections yet. "We cannot force people to take part at the elections, as they are not confident in objectiveness of
this process. The opposition views repeated elections as continuation of November 5 elections and refuses to run for parliament," said Mamedov.

He said representatives of the mission have proposed to revise terms of nomination of candidates for repeated elections (term of candidates' nomination expired on December 15 - editorial note).

Isa Gambar told representatives of the joint mission that Musavat party refuses to repeatedly run for parliament on January 4. As Gambar told TURAN's correspondent, political situation in Azerbaijan
after the parliamentary elections has been also discussed at the meeting.

"I do not know what decision will be in Strasbourg in January next year, but I think it is important that the constitution of the parliament reflects the political landscape and this would be certainly
considered in Strasbourg," Gerard Studman, Director of OSCE ODIHR, told journalists upon completion of his meeting with Etibar Mamedov when asked about influence of the parliamentary elections results on Azerbaijan's membership in the Council of Europe.

He also defined more precisely the opinion ascribed to Andreas Gross, PACE delegation head, that the Council of Europe will doubt as to legitimacy of the present Azeri parliament, if
opposition refuses to take part in it. "I'm not sure Mr. Gross said anything like that. He said this would look like as illegitimate, but he did not say it will be illegitimate," answered Studman.

As well-informed sources told TURAN today after noon the united mission PACE-OSCE will continue negotiations with the opposition leaders and Azeri authorities.--0--

MEETINGS OF FIVE LITTORAL STATES' DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTERS SCHEDULED FOR END JANUARY 2001

MOSCOW/18.12.00/TURAN: Meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of five littoral states - Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan - to discuss the Caspian legal regime is
scheduled for end January- early February, 2001 in Tehran. Viktor Kaluzhny, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Russian President's special representative for Caspian diplomacy,
announced that on Thursday after the meeting with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akhani.

As has been earlier reported, Iran repeatedly postponed the meeting. Tehran claimed the meeting will not bring any results, as five littoral states' positions on the Caspian legal regime significantly differ.

Kaluzhny said "a progress has been achieved" in the issue of the Caspian legal regime and some bilateral relations at the negotiations with Iranian diplomat.

Kaluzhny said Tehran supported Moscow's position, according to which the Caspian legal regime should be tied up to the problems of fishing resources preservation and navigation.

The Iranian diplomat has been received by Russian Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Trubnikov, Deputy Secretary of Russian Security Council Chernov, chairman of the Russian Duma International
Affairs Committee Rogozin and Deputy Foreign Minister Losyukov.--0--

WASHINGTON HOPES KAZAKHSTAN TO DETERMINE GUARANTEED BULK OF OIL DELIVERIES FOR MEP IN FEBRUARY 2001

ASTANA/18.12.00/TURAN: The intergovernmental meeting of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey - the countries interested in the Baku-Ceyhan project - is scheduled for February 2001. Washington
hopes Kazakhstan will take part at the meeting and join the agreement to participate in practical implementation of the project.

This was announced by Elizabeth Johns, Special Advisor of US President for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy, on Friday in Almaty at the meeting with Kazakhstan Premier Kasymzhomart Tokayev. Mrs. Johns said she hopes by that time Astana will determine guaranteed bulk of oil deliveries for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

Asked by journalists after the meeting Elizabeth Johns also said the meeting of representatives of companies involved in MEP engineering is scheduled for January 15, 2001. Oil bulk for the pipeline
will be also discussed at the meeting.

Kazakhstan has repeatedly expressed its readiness to carry its oil for the MEP. During her visit to Almaty Elizabeth Johns noted quote of Kazakh oil pumping via the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline could
total 200,000 barrels a day. She quoted the Azeri side, which claims it could ensure 80% filling of the pipeline.--0--

PRESS REVIEW - 17-18.12.00

Some Christian missionary organizations secretly operating within the republic are trying to persuade the Blind Society's members to adopt Christianity. (Bu Gun)

Isa Gambar, Musavat party's leader, said the Council of Europe should explain its position with regard to the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. (Sharg)

Arif Mamedov, lawyer of the imprisoned ex-premier Suret Huseinov, said a plan to get rid of his client in the jail is being prepared. He said gas is released to the prisoner's cell. (Sharg)

Vagif Ahundov, chief of the Department to Safeguard Security of Azeri President, told Sharg newspaper Azeri President is working 10-12 hours a day. He denied the rumours that President is
working only five hours. (Sharg)

Arrival of FBI agent to investigate murder of John Michael Alvis has confused law enforcement and investigative agencies. They deny now earlier disseminated rumours about the American citizen's
untraditional sexual orientation. (Sharg)

On December 16 physicians of children hospital No2 in Ganja city cut off the Dede Gorgud street and laid down social claims. (Yeni Musavat)