Distinguished Mr. Henry Kissinger!

I welcome you- a political figure of the United States cordially. I am very satisfied with the growing American-Azerbaijani relations. I am on an official visit in America at the invitation of President Bill Clinton, and I am sure that this visit will be a new stage in strengthening the bilateral relations.

I emphasize that Azerbaijan is open for all the businessmen, we have created suitable conditions for the work of foreign companies, their investments are protected by law, and I must note that we pay great attention to our economic relations with the world countries and we have got a lot of successes in this field.

I want to draw your attention to the historical significance of the signed documents for the joint development oil deposits in the Azerbaijani Sector of the Caspian Sea and I note that Azerbaijan is very deeply interested in the mutually beneficial contacts with foreign businessmen in all spheres.

Our country moving on the road of democracy and market economy faces some problems. The most serious of them is Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict continuing since1988 damaged our country very much. Twenty per cent of our lands have been occupied by the Armenian armed forces, more than one million people were obliged to leave their homes and live in tents This aggression enormously harmed our economy and culture. Nevertheless, we are for the peaceful settlement of the conflict. For this purpose we obey the ceasefire agreement, and actively participate in negotiations hold by the OSCE Minsk Group.

Mr. Kissinger, we highly appreciate the efforts of world countries for the peaceful solution of the problem. We want to note the great importance of the principles adopted by fifty-three countries at the Lisbon summit of the OSCE. I express my consent with the resolution signed by the mediators of mediators of the Minsk Group such as the USA, Russia, France, their presidents: Jacques Chirac, Bill Clinton, Boris Yeltsin. One fact must be pointed out that Azerbaijan is always for the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

We can not remain indifferent to the illegal delivery of weapons to Armenia by Russia when ceasefires achieved three years ago play an important role in ensuring peace. I want to note that such acts threaten the solution of the conflict and achievement of peace in the region.

Azerbaijan is the only republic among the post Soviet republics which has not armed forces and military bases of the any country on its territory. We should take into account the strategic geographical location of Azerbaijan, too. In this sense, the world community, hegemon states, and international organizations of the world must play a special attention.

I would like to stress the importance of the repeal of Section 907adopted by Congress of the USA in 1992. Undoubtedly, repeal of this section will the Azerbaijani -American, help fore move the ban on the humanitarian aid. Our country which has suffered from the Armenian aggression needs such an aid very much.

Mr. Henry Kissinger I invite you a very prominent political figure of America of the United States to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan.

\'\'Heydar Aliyev: Our independence is eternal\'\' (speeches, statements, interviews, letters, applications, decrees) -Azerneshr, Baku-2003, eleventh bind, page 61-63