AZERI LEADER PRAISES SECURITY SERVICE AS HE UNVEILS HIS FATHER’S BUST
Turan news agency
27 Mar 06
Baku, 27 March: President Ilham Aliyev today visited the academy of
the National Security Ministry and addressed its students on the
occasion of the 87th anniversary of establishment of the security
service. Before that he
he presented a military banner to the academy and inaugurated a hall
of fame and unveiled a bust of [the late President] Heydar Aliyev.
National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov told the ceremony that the
ministry’s priority is to maintain stability and regain the occupied
land. Positive changes have taken place in the work of the National
Security Ministry lately, he said. Its material-technical base has
been upgraded and the staff’s social security has been improved. The
ministry is actively fighting against terrorism and organized crime.
In his address, President Ilham Aliyev described the sociopolitical
situation in Azerbaijan as “very good”. The security service plays
a significant role in securing the country’s successful development
and achievements.
“The National Security Ministry has been particularly successful
recently,” he said, noting the elimination of gangs of dangerous
criminals and terrorists.
The president said the ministry’s material-technical base should be
upgraded and brought in line with international standards.
Once the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum
gas pipeline are put into operation, “pressure” on Azerbaijan will
increase. Baku is aware of this and is ready to take appopriate
measures.
“We are not interfering in others’ internal affairs and will not let
others interfere in our affairs,” Aliyev said.
The president confirmed Azerbaijan’s committment to the antiterrorist
coalition and the fight against international terrorism.
[Passage omitted: Aliyev on Karabakh]