Paper says Azeri head's son reveals shortcomings in election campaign broadcast

Text of Bahaddin Haziyev report by Azerbaijani newspaper 'Azadlyg' entitled "It emerges that not to keep silent is bronze"

[subhead] Or the "political traffic regulations" of Ilham Aliyev who is trying to get people's votes using the NAP [the ruling New Azerbaijan Party]

At last, [Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev's son, MP and Head of the National Olympic Committee] Ilham Aliyev has started speaking. Only now I understood why this person had not uttered a word at sittings of the Milli Majlis [parliament] for five years. He simply did not want to reveal his defects by making speeches. In this context, silence is not only golden but even more precious. But the person heading the NAP's list of candidates had to speak and AzTV [the Azerbaijani state television] had to somehow create conditions for him to uncover his shortcomings.

As a rule, the people promoting Ilham Aliyev cite his knowledge of several languages, including the English language, as an argument. But it became clear from Ilham bey's [form of address] speech on AzTV that he knew every language except for his native tongue. Besides, what Ilham Aliyev can say in English is not so important. The most important thing is what he speaks about and how he speaks in general.

It was obvious from Ilham Aliyev's speech that he was the real heir. I mean he is the most worthy candidate to continue his father's way. Yes, precisely Heydar Aliyev's way. This issue of which way is very popular nowadays. A handful of leaders and officials are carrying out the duties of "political traffic police". They are watching who violates "political traffic regulations" and when. From this viewpoint, Ilham Aliyev has moral relatives in the opposition as well. In other words, it became clear from Ilham Aliyev's speech that if he could come to power, could come and hold power, he would rule Azerbaijan in the same way as Heydar Aliyev. I am asking people who like this type of state management to be sure to vote for Ilham Aliyev.

Ilham Aliyev's speech clarified another point: whom the authorities regard as their real rivals. The main target of the genetic heir were [First Deputy Chairman of the People's Front of Azerbaijan Party, PFAP] Ali Kerimov, [Ex-Speaker and Chairman of the Democratic Party] Rasul Guliyev, [leader of the Musavat Party] Isa Gambar and [Chairman of the Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan, PNIA] Etibar Mammadov. I mean, Ilham Aliyev considers these people to be Heydar Aliyev's major rivals and his future major rivals. But his arguments against these people, or all his arguments, were not so strong. Etibar Husanli [Mammadov] was criticised for the fact that he had placed Vagif Musayev, an unknown person, second after himself in the party's list of candidates. Of course, I know nothing about the principles under which the PNIA drew up its list of candidates as this is the party's internal issue and one has to investigate everything thoroughly in order to say something for or against it. Anyhow, if we draw superficial judgements, then the question arises: are [NAP Executive Secretary] Ali Ahmadov or [Deputy Executive Secretary] Siyavush Novruzov, who occupy the second and third places in the NAP's list after Ilham Aliyev, suffering from overflowing love of the people?

Or, he says that Isa Gambar signed a decree sentencing people to death. I agree partly, Isa Gambar might have hurried up because he replaced the president. If he had left it for the president, who was determined a month later, to sign or not to sign the decree, it might have been better for him. But according to my information, the people who got that sentence and were executed had committed such serious crimes that if Ilham Aliyev had been in Isa Gambar's shoes, he would have done the same thing. If a decree about people who murdered a whole family, including a pregnant woman, and then burnt them by setting fire to their house, had been submitted to Ilham Aliyev, what decision would he make, as a human being and a leader?

Let's look at what Ilham Aliyev said about one of his major rivals, Ali Kerimov. He says that in 1969, when Heydar Aliyev was fighting corruption, Ali Kerimov was still in kindergarten. Or, he says that Ali Kerimov received grants from international organizations.

First, in 1969, Ilham Aliyev himself was going to kindergarten or the first form of school (or he might have gone to school later in connection with health problems). I mean, it does not depend on a person when he or she was born, and this does not mean that only people who went to school at least in 1969 can speak about corruption today.

Second, if a political party received a grant, then let an official investigation be conducted and the party face a specific charge. The PNIA was accused of receiving grants some time ago. By the way, an army fighting grants has emerged. The Ministry of National Security, [PFAP Deputy Chairman] Fazil Gazanfaroglu and Ilham Aliyev have been marching at the head of this army recently. It is quite an interesting situation. Besides, they are people who themselves are receiving grants. If grants are disguised bribes, as Ilham Aliyev says, then why, for instance, are the National Olympic Committee, the Central Electoral Commission, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Milli Majlis receiving grants? It emerges that the Milli Majlis has made bribetaking official by adopting the law "On grants" in accordance with the PNIA's draft law. The arguments are weak.

From the author: At the same time, we should understand Ilham Aliyev's feelings. There has been injustice against him. For instance, there is a view among the public that he is not lucky. A rumour is being spread now that Ilham Aliyev lost in Sydney as well. I myself do not believe this. I mean, this might be just "black PR". If this person is a professional, why has he not won at least once? Or, the only way to always lose is to know nothing of the game. I myself have never gambled in my life, but I cannot imagine how such a great politician can always lose. I therefore call on my readers not to believe such rumours.

Source: 'Azadlyg', Baku, in Azeri 27 Oct 00 p 4

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Posted October 31, 2000 © Eurasianet
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