Karabakh problem threatens major oil pipeline – Azeri defence minister

ANS TV, Baku
13 Apr 05

The lack of progress in the resolution of the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem poses a serious threat to the construction of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Azerbaijani defence minister
said at a meeting with the visiting US Defence Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld.

Armenia is continuing to arm itself with the help of its supporters,
not abandoning its terrorist ambitions and violating international
law, Abiyev said. For this reason, there is no progress in the
resolution of the conflict.

In turn, Donald Rumsfeld said that the Washington administration would
always support Azerbaijan’s integration into NATO.

Having said that the Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO,
which has been submitted to the NATO leadership by the Azerbaijani
president, is still under discussion, Abiyev reiterated that
Azerbaijan intends to continue long-term cooperation with the USA in
all areas.

At the same time, Abiyev expressed his regret that Section 907 to the
Freedom Support Act [ban on US aid to the Azerbaijani government] is
still in force, the press service of the Defence Ministry reported.