Azerbaijan May Cut Oil Exports Via Russia

Azerbaijan's Sangachal terminal, one of the world's largest (file photo) (RFE/RL) BAKU, December 1, 2006 -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says his country will reduce or suspend its oil exports via Russia in response to Moscow's promise to cut gas supplies to Baku.

He is quoted today as saying oil shipments along the Baku-Novorossiisk pipeline would be reduced.

Russia said recently it would limit gas supplies to Azerbaijan because Azerbaijan's own gas production was set to rise and it was able to cover its own needs.

(Reuters)

Human Rights In Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani parliamentarian and historian Jamil Hasanli speaking at RFE/RL on November 29 (RFE/RL)

THE CURSE OF OIL. On November 29, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing on democratic development in Azerbaijan. The briefing featured liberal opposition lawmaker Jamil Hasanli and former political prisoner and activist Murad Sadaddinov. The two men discussed the international commitments Azerbaijan has made in the area of human rights in order to secure investment in its energy sector and offer advice as to how the international community should deal with Baku.