February 7, 2002 - 23:23 AMT
ALIYEV NOT ACCEPT INVITATION OF US VICE-PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF POOR HEALTH
The treatment of Azerbaijan's President in the Cleveland hospital will obviously last longer then it was planned. In words of Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the USA Hafiz Pashayev, it is not known yet when Heydar Aliyev will leave Cleveland. The diplomat informed that Azerbaijan's head would return from Cleveland directly to Baku. It should be reminded that earlier it was planned that Aliyev would also visit Washington D.C., where he would meet with a number of the White House high-rankers. It is known that Vice-President Dick Cheyni has addressed an official invitation to Aliyev. The reasons of Heydar Aliyev's refusal to follow earlier approved agenda are not reported but some commentators are inclined to explain the change of the plans with Aliyev's health condition.