The first deputy chairman of the People's Front of Azerbaijan Party [PFAP], Ali Kerimov, made his third party political broadcast on Azerbaijani state TV at 1700 gmt on 16th October. Before broadcasting Kerimov's speech, there was a video clip of Kerimov speaking at a rally. The sound over the video said: Vote for the PFAP.

He started his party political broadcast by congratulating the Azerbaijani people on the eve of Independence Day which is 18th October.

Kerimov said that unlike his previous political broadcasts - which were in the main about the Karabakh problem, oil strategy, social and economic problems - "his speech will be about the issues of corruption and bribery in the country". He added that bribery is widespread in Azerbaijan and his party "will tackle corruption and bribery comprehensively".

Deputy chairman of the PFAP pointed out that the humanitarian aid for refugees is being misappropriated in Azerbaijan and the country's main asset, "oil, is being processed and sold illegally by 16 enterprises". He went on to say that owing to a high "level of corruption and bribery" in the country both local and foreign businessmen were leaving the country.

Defending his performance as an MP and condemning corruption and bribery in the country, Ali Kerimov said: "Many times at the Milli Majlis' [parliament] sessions I condemned cases of corruption". I demanded that special investigation committees should be set up to fight bribery and corruption in Azerbaijan.

Admitting that bribery existed in the country while the PFAP was in power, he said: "We should admit that bribery was not [widespread]at state level".

Dwelling on bribery, Kerimov said that "without giving a bribe, it was possible at that time to become the head of executive authorities, minister or a judge". Kerimov went on: "Today, can you imagine being appointed the head of an executive authorities in a district or chairman of a lucrative enterprise without giving a bribe? "If you know anyone who has been appointed to any of these positions without bribes then please go ahead and vote for the New Azerbaijan Party", he added.

Kerimov said that "bribery has already been legalized in Azerbaijan" and it has become a way of life for "Azerbaijan's high-ranking officials".

Placing emphasis on his party's programme for fighting bribery, he said "I cannot promise that we will stop corruption and bribery completely". Unfortunately bribery is so widespread that the problem cannot be resolved in a short period, he said. However, I assure you that we will definitely stop it at state level.

Stating that corruption will not come to an end as long as "these authorities are in power" Kerimov said how can we demand that a police or a customs officer works honestly, when the Presidential Executive Office's employees violate the law and do whatever they wish?

He said that as long as the authorities undermine the law we will not be able to tackle the current level of bribery and corruption in the country. In conclusion he said: "Some people think that legality and democracy are incompatible, but I believe democracy prevails only in societies where the law is abided by".

Source: Azerbaijani TV, Channel One, Baku, in Azeri 1700 gmt 16 Oct 00

BBC Mon TCU 181000 km/ha/nm

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Posted October 18, 2000 © Eurasianet
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