AzerTAj’s Washington-based correspondent reports. The statement reads:

STATEMENT OF THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION

August 11, 2003

The treatment of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev is continuing at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Since his admission, President Aliyev has improved, and he is resting comfortably in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine.

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PRIME-MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV FAMILIARIZED WITH COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION OF AZERBAIJAN SECTION OF BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN PIPELINE

On August 11, Prime-Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev familiarized himself with the course of construction of the Azerbaijan section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Pipeline in the area of Umbaki near the Azerbaijani capital. President of SOCAR Natig Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan International Operating Company David Woodward, representatives of the BP and related construction companies have sincerely welcomed the Prime-Minister and updated him in detail on the course of the construction works. It was announced that the Azerbaijan section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP is scheduled to be put into operation in September, while Georgian and Turkish sections in October-December of 2004. It was noted as well that the huge work done is indisputable, and all successes Azerbaijan has achieved during the last years in oil industry are the result of far-sighted and wise policy by President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, and fruits of the oil strategy conducted under his leadership. These achievements, which have been gained exactly due to the President’s hard work, management and under his serious control, have created a solid foundation for strengthening of Azerbaijan, its integration into the world economy, attraction of foreign investments, and transformation of the republic to the leading country in the Caspian region. Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev has been curious about the work done, and has become closely acquainted with the modern technology-based process prosess of the pipes’ laying and welding. The Head of the Azerbaijani Government has highly appreciated the work done, and stressed once again that this large-scale project of universal importance, is being implemented in accordance with schedule and will be completed on time. Afterwards, Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev sincerely met with the workers, who congratulated him on the appointment to the post implying great responsibility, and expressed their support of the domestic and foreign policy conducted under the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev. ‘Because his oil strategy is leading Azerbaijani people to the happy future, and the results are right in front of’, they said. Some of the workers told that in 1982 at the initiative of Heydar Aliyev they worked at the Urengoy-Ujgorod gas pipeline, and expressed pleasure to work again under his leadership. ‘Everything is running smoothly here, but our salaries are rather low. Although, there was less work while working at the Baku-Supsa pipeline, but our salaries were higher’, they said.’ Having thanked the workers for the warm wards, Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev noted he had come to see the working process with his own eyes. ‘We will discuss your salary problems. The future of Azerbaijan is being built here. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan will bring great benefit to all of us. I have come to see how our citizens are working, and how their working conditions are. Of course, it is very difficult to work in such heat. You are doing a great job. Thank you very much’, he said.