Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 27, 2006

Harry Wyatt: United States supports Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity in the frames of the borders existed in former USSR

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Safar Abiyev today received the
delegation led by the US Oklahoma National Guard Commander, Major
General Harry Wyatt. The Ministry told the APA Minister Abiyev said
Azerbaijan is having successful bilateral cooperation with the North
Atlantic Alliance.

"We highly appreciate the United States’ role in development of
Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation. Azerbaijani Armed Forces units are
actively participating in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo,
Afghanistan and Iraq," the Minister said.

Mr.Abiyev said the situation is tense in the South Caucasus, "The
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has not been solved yet. The activity of
the OSCE Minsk Group, which is dealing with this problem, is not
satisfying. We want the conflict to be resolved in the frames of
international legal norms and Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and
demand Armenian occupying forces to withdraw from the occupied
territories. The Armenian side is taking a destructive position
regarding the resolution of the conflict. Taking this into account,
Azerbaijan has to take adequate measures."

Mr.Wyatt thanked to the Azerbaijani people and government for active
participation in the fight against global terrorism.

"We highly appreciate Azerbaijani Armed Forces units serving together
with US Army in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, and we consider this as
a great success of the Azerbaijani people. You have got wonderful
Armed Forces and much disciplined soldiers," Wyatt said.

Oklahoma National Guard commander said the United States supported
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the frames of the borders
existed in former USSR period and supports at present and wish the
conflict be resolved diplomatically.

"The United States highly appreciates Azerbaijan’s efforts in this
direction and we are ready to help you in this way. We believe
Azerbaijan will demonstrate its strong will around the negotiations
table," he underlined./APA/