Rumsfeld Thanks Azerbaijan For Contribution In Iraq, Afghanistan

BAKU, Aug 12 (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld met with President Ilham Aliyev Thursday, thanking him for Azerbaijan's contribution to US-led coalitions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The former Soviet republic is the only predominantly Muslim country with troops in Iraq. It has about 150 troops there and another 122 in Afghanistan.
"I agree completely our security relationship continues to grow and to strengthen," Rumsfeld told Aliyev at the start of the meeting.
"We value that relationship and the cooperation which your country has demonstrated from the very outset of the global war on terrorism, and your valuable assistance, effective assistance, in both Iraq and Afghanistan."
Aliyev also said that his country's security relations had been developing strongly since Rumsfeld's last visit here. "We are very happy, we have high level cooperation in the military sphere."
Their talks were expected to range from maritime security in the oil-rich Caspian to efforts to prevent proliferation of nuclear materials.
Azerbaijan was Rumsfeld's third stop on a trip that began in Oman.