61.   Georgia and Turkey are promoting an alternative pipeline route that would run further south to the Georgian port of Batumi and eventually to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Yumurtalik.

62.   In the Azerbaijani capital Baku on Monday Niyazov spoke of possible pipeline routes across the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus to Turkey and Europe.

63.   An Azerbaijani government official told AFP that Baku favoured both the rival pipeline routes, although it was stressing that the most economically viable option should be chosen.

64.   Turkey, which also has a stake in the Azerbaijani oil project, has voiced strong backing for the Georgian pipeline route.

65.   The decision announced Monday by the consortium came one week after President Bill Clinton telephoned Azerbaijani President Geidar Aliev to tell him he supported multiple pipeline routes.