For Immediate Release

ISCA Welcomes President of Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev to Washington D.C.

(Washington, DC 02/15/00) – The Islamic Supreme Council of America was proud to participate in Azeri President Aliyev’s first public speaking engagement during his current visit to the United States.  The President addressed an audience of over two hundred students, faculty members, dignitaries, and government officials at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies. His presentation centered on a plea for international assistance in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  He stressed the fact that over 1 million Azeris have been displaced by the occupation of the region and its surrounding territory since the conflict with Armenia began in 1988.  Although a cease-fire agreement was signed in 1994 between the respective governments, no peace accord has been established.

  “Our territorial integrity has been violated and must be restored.  We will allow [the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh region] self-determination, but under the Azerbaijan authority.  Despite the one million refugees, the devastation of the wealth of that land, we still seek peace.  I hope to see that peace in the year 2000,” says President Aliyev.

  The President also discussed the vast oil production and development currently underway in the republic.  Scientists have determined at least 4.5 billion tons of oil exist in the deep sea oil fields of the Caspian Sea. He explained, “50 years ago, we were the first country in the world to produce oil from the deep sea.  It led to the development of very advanced technology for oil exploration and greater access to energy resources around the world.”

Finally, the president consistently reminded the audience that none of the economic and financial advancements of Azerbaijan would have been possible without the support of the American government and businesses.  There are currently nine major oil companies operating in Azerbaijan that help create over 60 billion dollars in revenue.  He stated, “Without U.S. support, we could not have signed the first contract in 1994, or have signed the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline accord.”

The president’s visit will include a meeting at the Oval Office with President Clinton, as well as other political and social engagements.

For more information on the activities of the Islamic Supreme Council of America, please visit our Web site at http://islamicsupremecouncil.org