June 23, 2001 - 20:34 AMT
ALIEV STRONGLY OBJECTS TO LAYING THE OIL PIPELINE THROUGH THE TERRITORY OF ARMENIA
. "The oil companies, which refused to participate in realization of the project of constructing the oil export pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Jeihan, and the Governments of the countries they represent will regret," - President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliev stated during the meeting with the head of "British Petroleum". According to the information given by CNA agency, Aliev emphasized that hesitation of some companies, which are participants of exploitation of Azeri-Chirag-Gyuneshli Caspian deposits, was supported by pro-Armenian Congressmen in USA. Heydar Aliev considered the message of a group of Senators and member of the Congress to President George Bush, which includes a suggestion to study the opportunity of laying the oil export pipeline from Azerbaijan through the territory of Armenia, as an attempt to press on the leadership of the country. The President of Azerbaijan excluded the opportunity of construction of the pipeline on such a rout.