Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 29, 2004, Monday

AZERBAIJAN REMAINS THE KEY TERRITORY FOR TRANSIT OF DRUGS FROM
AFGHANISTAN, THE INTERIOR MINISTER STATES

Measures aimed at prevention of phenomena which may disturb stability
are being successfully conducted in Azerbaijan, Interior Minister
Ramil Usubov said taking the floor on Security in the South Caucasus
seminar of the NATO parliamentary assembly. In his words, the law
enforcement agencies are taking joint measures to combat
international terror, organized crime and separatism.

According to Usubov, over the past decade above 25,000 pieces of
firearms have been confiscated, while 33,000 people have been brought
to trial for committing 14,000 crimes.

The minister announced success of combating drug trafficking but
admitted that only 10% of drugs are detained. He mentioned three
routes of delivering drugs: Afghanistan – Turkmenistan – Caspian Sea
– Azerbaijan – Georgia – Turkey; Afghanistan – Iran – occupied
territories of Azerbaijan (Nagorny Karabakh)- Armenia – Georgia –
Europe; Afghanistan – Iran – Azerbaijan – Georgia – Turkey – Europe.

The minister also said that over past several years the National
Security Ministry of Azerbaijan detained some 30 persons involved in
various Islamic terrorist groups; ascertained and deported to Russia
14 persons involved in terrorist attacks in the North Caucasus;
closed 6 branches of humanitarian organizations, involved in
financing terrorists and deported 43 agents of them from Azerbaijan.

Usubov said that jointly with separatists of Nagorny Karabakh the
Armenian special services have held 32 terrorist attacks in
Azerbaijan.

The Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan is concerned for cooperation with
NATO in the sphere of security and implementation of joint programs,
the minister noted.

Source: Turan news agency (Baku), November 25, 2004

Translated by Andrei Ryabochkin