US-IRAN STAND-OFF NOT ON ALIYEV’S VISIT AGENDA

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 12 2006

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict will be in
spotlight during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the United States
late in April.

The US-Iran tension is not likely to be tabled, a presidential
administration official has said, despite earlier reports suggesting
otherwise.

“The visit has long been planned. But parliamentary elections and
similar issues have led to its delay,” the head of the President’s
Office socio-political department, Ali Hasanov, told reporters Tuesday.

He said the US-Azeri multi-lateral relations are developing in the
form of strategic partnership.

“Azerbaijan is implementing a peacekeeping mission alongside the U.S.

in the hot spots around the world – Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Moreover, the country is involved in the energy and global transport
communication projects in the South Caucasus region jointly with the
United States.”

The official continued that Azerbaijan is working hard to achieve its
admission to the World Trade Organization and the U.S. supports these
efforts. The country also maintains ties with American institutions
to promote democratization and civil society building on its soil.

Hasanov said the Azeri leader’s upcoming visit aims to discuss the
course of cooperation and future prospects for bilateral ties. He
said the discussions will focus on the Garabagh problem as well.

“The key principles for the conflict resolution should be outlined
and certain pressure applied to solve the conflict. Azerbaijan adheres
to firm principles in this respect that we will never back away from.”

Hasanov dismissed the reports that the US-Iran tension will be
discussed during President Aliyev’s visit.

“I don’t believe the Iran issue will be the main topic of the talks
between the two countries. Our ties with Iran are just as good as
those with the United States. Iran is a neighboring country and we
share common culture. Our citizens have close ties with this country.”

The official did not rule out that the US-Iran relations will be free
of third-party involvement.