Azerbaijan's armed forces chief to visit Pentagon

BAKU (AFP) Mar 19, 2004
Azerbaijan's Minister of Defence Safar Abbiyev is to travel to Washington on Saturday to discuss the fight against international terrorism and military co-operation with the United States, his ministry said.

Abbiyev was invited by the Pentagon to meet US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other officials, the defence ministry said in a statement Friday.

"The two sides will discuss bilateral military co-operation, joint measures to fight international terrorism... (and) the issue of US assistance in developing Azerbaijan's armed forces."

Azerbaijan, a majority Muslim nation which borders Iran and the oil-rich Caspian Sea, is seen by US military planners as a strategic location.

The Pentagon is working on plans to send instructors to train the Azeri military, and also wants the option to use military airbases in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's pro-Western government has sent troops to help the US-led security operation in Iraq. Azeri troops are also serving with international peace-keeping forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

WAR.WIRE