Domestic

Domestic

Turgut Ozal delivered $50,000 to Elchibey in Ayaz Mutalibovâ€™s presidency

12 February 2007 10:30 (UTC +04:00)

There are also some points about Azerbaijan. Describing the meeting of Turgut Ozal and USSR President Mikhail Gorbachov during Ozalâ€™s first visit to Moscow, the author writes that after official talks between the delegations of the two countries in the Kremlin, a man came up to Ozalâ€™s assistant Feyzi Ishbaran and said Gorbachov wants to talk to him privately. Later the presidents met in a room in the Kremlin.
â€œDear president, we are watching your reforms with great interest and admiration. I need your help concerning a problem. Your measures coincide with our reconstruction. But I meet resistance in this problem. For example, Ukrainian President resists it. I ask you to go to Kiev and make them agree, because they respect you,â€? Gorbachov told Ozal.
Gorbachov also said he will be provided with a special plane.
â€œYou know that we have to go to Azerbaijan. But President Mutalibov is a very strict person. He banned our compatriots to welcome us during our previous visits. He does not permit people to shake hands with us and exert pressure on them. Please, solve this problem,â€? Ozal asked Gorbachov.
Gorbachov said he will do his best.
Turgut Ozal left Moscow for Kiev and later arrived in Azerbaijan.
There were a lot of people at Baku airport. As soon as Ozal got off the plane Mutalibov embraced and welcomed him. The members of Turkish delegation and the Azerbaijanis at the airport embraced one another. A lot of people greeted Turgut Ozal from the airport until the center of the city. The next day Ozal showed his assistant Feyzi Ishbaran an envelope.
â€œWe know Elchibeyâ€™s place. Here is $50,000 you should give it to him. Convey my greetings to him,â€? Turgut Ozal said.
â€œBut KGB is pursuing us. What will happen if they found out everything,â€? Ishbaran said.
â€œNothing will happen,â€? Ozal said smiling.
Ishabaranâ€™s car, pursued by KGB agents stopped in front of a building. Ishbaran entered the building and knocked at a door. Anxious Abulfaz Elchibey opened the door.
â€œTurgut Ozal has sent me, I have something for you,â€? Ishbaran said.
Elchibey embraced him and cried.
â€œIs Mr. Turgut here?â€? he asked.
Impressed by Elchibeyâ€™s crying, who did not pay attention to the envelope and ask what it was, Ishbaran cried and left the envelope.
â€œEmbrace my brother for me,â€? Elchibey shouted after him. /APA/