LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY FOR "CONTRACT OF THE

UNCLAS STATE 095513

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL AJ
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY FOR "CONTRACT OF THE
CENTURY" ANNIVERSARY EVENT (S/ES: 200916994)


1. PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY
CLINTON TO PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV FOR THE "CONTRACT OF
THE CENTURY" ANNIVERSARY EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 15. THE
STATE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT PLAN TO RELEASE THE TEXT OF
THE MESSAGE BUT HAS NO OBJECTION IF THE GOVERNMENT OF
AZERBAIJAN WISHES TO DO SO. THERE WILL BE NO SIGNED
ORIGINAL.


2. BEGIN TEXT:

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT:

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND TO THE PEOPLE OF AZERBAIJAN
ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
SIGNING OF THE "CONTRACT OF THE CENTURY" ON SEPTEMBER
20, 1994.

THIS CONTRACT, WHICH SANCTIONED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
AZERI, CHIRAG, AND GUNESHLI OFFSHORE OILFIELDS, AND THE
SUBSEQUENT FORMATION OF THE AZERBAIJAN INTERNATIONAL
OPERATING COMPANY (AIOC),WAS A LANDMARK EVENT IN
INTERNATIONAL OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS A
GREAT SUCCESS FOR INTERNATIONAL ENERGY DIPLOMACY.

PROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY REMAINS
CRITICAL FOR THE EURASIA REGION. IN THIS REGARD, THE
JULY 13 SIGNING OF THE NABUCCO INTER-GOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENT WAS A MAJOR MILESTONE IN OUR JOINT EFFORTS TO
OPEN THE SOUTHERN COORIDOR, WHICH WILL BRING CASPIAN GAS
TO EUROPE. WE HOPE THAT AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY, AND OTHER
INTERESTED COUNTRIES WILL BE ABLE TO BUILD ON THIS
MOMENTUM AND AGREE ON THOSE REMAINING ISSUES NEEDED TO
MAKE THE SOUTHERN CORRIDOR A REALITY.

AZERBAIJAN IS ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW AND EVEN MORE
PROMISING PHASE OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, AND WE LOOK
FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU AND OTHER LEADERS
IN THE REGION TO DEVELOP NEW OIL AND GAS RESOURCES AND
NEW ROUTES TO BRING THOSE RESOURCES TO MARKET.

SINCERELY YOURS,

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

END TEXT.
CLINTON