Officers

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business affairs of USACC are managed by its Board of Directors which is composed of distinguished individuals with an interest in the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship.

Betty Blair

Betty Blair is the Founding Editor of Azerbaijan International, a magazine published quarterly since 1993. This publication provides a forum for the discussion and thought related to Azerbaijanis throughout the world on a wide range of subjects including art, business, culture, education, international relations, language, literature, current events, traditions and trends. The magazine is distributed among top level government and diplomatic circles (both Azerbaijani and international) and the academic and the international business communities throughout the world. Azerbaijan International has offices in Los Angeles and Baku. Publisher: Pirouz Khanlou.

Azerbaijan International * Box 5217 * Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 ai@artnet.net * (818) 785-0077 * Fax: (818) 997-7337.

Blair is a Founding Board Member of USACC (1995 - present)
Member of the Board of Advisors of American Voices (2001 - present)

Websites about Azerbaijan that have been created under Blair's direction include:

AZER.com - "World's Largest Website about Azerbaijan"
Archives the magazine articles from Azerbaijan International since 1993. Also features more than 120 samples of Azerbaijani music since May 1996.

AZgallery.org - "Discover the Little Known World of Art in Azerbaijan"
Featuring the work of more than 125 Azeri artists and 1900 works of art. This site facilitates relations between Azerbaijanis fine artists and art lovers around the world. Since August 1999.

AZERI.org - "All about the Azeri Language"
This site features articles in English and in Azeri (both Latin and Arabic scripts) with special emphasis on contemporary Azerbaijani literature (short stories and poetry) and Language usage (proverbs, songs, sociolinguistic analysis). Since July 2000.

HAJIBEYOV.com - "Celebrating the Legacy of Azerbaijan's Composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov"
Featuring the musical repertoire and satirical works of Uzeyir Hajibeyov (1885-1948). Includes librettos of his major operas ("Koroghlu" and "Leyli and Majnun") and musical comedies ("Arshin Mal Alan", "Mashadi Ibad") for the first time in Azeri Latin and English translation. More than 30 music samples. Since November 2001.

Betty Blair has edited the following works:
"Azerbaijan - Land of Fire", a photo book featuring contemporary life in Azerbaijan. Copyright 1996 by Azerbaijan International. Sponsored by BP and Statoil Alliance.
"Global Horizons - President Aliyev's Visit to the USA" (English and Azeri volumes). Copyright 1997 by Azerbaijan International. Sponsored by Amoco, Chevron, Exxon and Mobil.
Azerbaijan Literature Series. Volume 1: "Mir Jalal (Pashayev) - Short Stories - Dried Up In Meetings" - (12 Short stories in English). Copyright 1998 by Azerbaijan International.

CDs
"Classical Music of Azerbaijan" (6 albums)
This anthology consists of 74 works by 15 of Azerbaijan's outstanding composers. Features 20th century music performed by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra (Yalchin Adigozal, conductor) and the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra (Yashar Imanov, conductor). Produced jointly by Amoco and Azerbaijan International. Copyright 1997.
"Tofig Guliyev- Songs of the Heart" Many songs on this CD are performed by Rashid Behbudov and Shovkat Alakbarova. Produced by Azerbaijan International. Sponsored by BP and Statoil Alliance. Copyright 1998.
"Classical Music of Azerbaijan - Uzeyir Hajibeyov" (7 albums)
Features four major operas and musical comedies by the "Father of Composed Music in Azerbaijan" Uzeyir Hajibeyov (1885-1948). Works include Leyli and Majnun, O Olmasin, Bu Olsun (Mashadi Ibad), Arshin Mal Alan, and Koroghlu. Produced jointly by Statoil and Azerbaijan International. Copyright 2001.

Blair was instrumental in facilitating the publishing of the first major "Azerbaijani-English Dictionary" in the history of the country. Compiled by Uruj Musayev (45,000 terms in Cyrillic script 1997, Latin script 1998). The English-Azerbaijani reverse volumes (2) are expected late 2002. Sponsored by Exxon.

Blair facilitated the donation of $50K worth of musical instruments and musical parts for the use of children studying at Bulbul Music School and the Children's Symphonic Orchestra in 1998. Project sponsored by Texaco.

Blair initiated the project undertaken by Texaco in 1998 to totally refurbish the Azerbaijan National Blood Center in Baku so that blood could be tested for HIV, hepatitis and gonorrhea and that properly stored and refrigerated for use. This half million dollar project also consisted of refurbishing and remodeling two floors of one of the wings of the Center. Project completed in 2001. Sponsored by Texaco.