From talk of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev üith Senator Robert Bird - Washington, The Capitol, July 30, 1997

Distinguished Mr. Bird!

I am sure that during my US visit, my talks with a number of US statesmen, including congressmen and senators will form interesting pages of my successful visit to the United States. From this approach, I am very pleased that very interesting meeting which I held with you was not an exception. Your words that you were confident that the visit of the President of Azerbaijan to the US would play an important role in the improvement of the USA - Azerbaijani contacts and your information about the work of the Senate were very worthy. Your objective talks about the ongoing democratic processes, economic reforms and hardships which our country faces, confirmed your comprehensive knowledge in this sphere. Your ideas about the peaceful policy of Azerbaijan, positive evaluation of our country`s joining the Treaty of Conventional Arms in Europe, at the same time appealing President Bill Clinton to investigate and report to the Congress Russia`s illegal supply of arms to Armenia were very pleasant to me.

Mr. Bird! Thank you for your paying great attention to Azerbaijan. This fact is a precious evidence of change of opinion in America towards positive direction about our republic and characterizing it. I assure you that all the necessary steps are taken by our government to form an objective opinion about the United States and its worthy appreciation.

I invite You to visit Azerbaijan to observe and see all positive changes and meet the Azerbaijani people.

\"Heydar Aliyev: Our independence is forever\" (speeches, declarations, statements, interviews, letters, appeals, decrees) - Azernashr, Baku - 2003, vol. XI, pp. 166-167