"INAM"

CENTER FOR PLURALISM

 

THE MONITORING CONCERNING FOR THE

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN

 

 

 

VII Bulletin

(1-15 November, 1998)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUL-BUL AVENUE 63, APT 53

370000 BAKU

AZERBAIJAN

TEL/FAX: (99412) 957950

E-mail: merkez@inam.baku.az

 

 

 

Commentaries

The first half of November, it means the next stage of the monitoring connected with the presidential elections, held by Center for Pluralism "Inam" has come to an end. After the 11th of October Presidential elections political process in the country gained its next stage. Though more than а month has passed from the elections, it still keeps on being actual in public. As the elections' official results were not acceptable for all political parties in the country it influence on the rapid progress of the events all over the country and resulted with the born of new opposition blocks.

Azerbaijan Movement for Election Reform and Democratic Elections (SIDSUH) - organized on the eve of the elections by two leading parties - Musavat and Popular Front and more than 50 social-political organizations under the slogans for free, just and democratic elections, rejected the participation in the elections and preferred the boycott tactics. Though the elections are over, the opposition who are called "radical" opposition do not agree with the results of it and they declare that there were lots of falsifications in the elections and insist on new elections. While the opposition demands from the governmental organs on holding new elections, the government in its turn, persists that the elections were free, just and democratic. And we do want to note one interesting point. Though too much time has passed since the election time and the Central Election Commission (CEC) hasn't informed the public with the official elections results yet.

Independent ("Ayna", "Azadlig", "525-ji gazet") and opposition ("Mukhalifat", "Jumhurriyyet", "Yeni Musavat") newspapers are touching this subject regularly. The new situation in the country after the elections gave impulse to the necessity of formulating а new block which unites all the political powers who are on radical opposition front and who are interested in guaranteeing democracy. It is evident that SIDSUH, the coalition of many parties and NGO is а social organization.

In our previous commentaries we stressed that on the second half of October Azerbaijan National Independent Party (ANIP), who disagreed with the results of the elections and who declared that they wouldn't recognize the legitimacy of the present president and Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) signed bilateral treaties. Immediately after it Musavat Party leader Isa Gambar and other 5 opposition parties signed the treaty about the organization of Great Union for Democracy (DUBB). This treaty also raised discussions in public as it was with ANIP - APFP's treaty. Though the coldness among the relations of the leading party leaders was observed, they immediately realized the necessity of the unanimity of all democratic powers while the aversion was putting on in the country. In spite of all difficulties the union of all unfriendly opposition parties was formulated. Thus an important step on the way for unanimity was made: The treaty of Movement for Democracy was signed.

Ex-presidential candidate, president of Association Repressions (ARVA), Ashraf Mehdiyev also joined Movement for Democracy which is represented only by political Parties. ANIP leader Etibar Mamedov joined the statement of Movement for Democracy (DUH) about disrecognizing the presidential election results. The other ex-presidential candidate Nizami Suleymanov, who also disagreed with the election results at the beginning demonstrated radical attitude, afterwards he seemed to hesitate and to soften in his stands.

On the first 15 day of November the relations between the government and the opposition is observed to be becoming very severe. Especially the three ex-presidential candidates - ANIP leader Mamedov's, Independent Azerbaijan Party (IAP) leader Nizami Suleymanov's and Association president Mehdiyev's stands against the government made the present relations worse and more deep. After the elections the other actual tendencies also show themselves openly. Independent experts for told that after elections the government will strengthen the aggression and began pressing on the democratic forces and media. These prognosis occurred to be true.

Aliyev asked strength ministers to stop all kinds of meetings, demonstrations. ANIP demonstration against the results of the presidential elections was dispersed on the 7th of November. The demonstrators faced to the force. ANIP members, people's deputies Shadman Huseynov and Nazim Imanov were beaten. ANIP members insist that personally Aliyev gave order to beat Mamedov and to break up the demonstration. There was another version that the hired men who dispersed the demonstration belonged to the special group of Aliyev's clan. Immediately after that incident the attack to Ilyas Ismayilov, chairman of Azerbaijan Democrat Party and, to Lala Shovkat Hadjiyeva, chairwoman of Azerbaijan Liberal Party in the presence of the police on the 8th of November, at the end of the meeting of SIDSUH formulates the probability of its being planed from one center. Besides, the police who are responsible for the security of the demonstrators were indifferent to the proceedings and this also strength the truth of this probability. The arrest of innocent Musavat and APFP members also is valued as violation of democracy. The other tendency is the growth of pressure of the government on media. By eliminating the Censorship before the elections, the president formulated his democraticimage. Independent experts for told the growing pressure on media after the elections. And this prognosis was foreseen. The president took aim at the opposition newspapers "Yeni Musavat" and "Azadlig" which are able to influence much on the processes in society and on the public opinion.

Director of Presidential Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev and Director of Lawsuit Branch of Ministry of Internal Affairs Nizami Gojayev accused "Yeni Musavat" newspaper for casting aspirations on them.

Ramiz Mehdiyev appealed to the procurator and demanded 400 000 000 manats fine from the newspaper and the editor as а victim. Though the articles printed in "Yeni Musavat" newspaper was taken from the speeches of ex-presidential candidates Nizami Suleymanov and Ashraf Mehdiyev during the pre-election campaign period. And "Azadlig" newspaper was reported to the court because it published the list of officials who have villas abroad. This newspaper also gave this information according to "Azadlig" radio broadcast. А group of journalists and editor-in-chief of popular newspapers of the country went on hunger - strike expressing political motives in this campaign against media and valuing these proceedings as violation of freedom of word and opinions. As а rule AzTV keeps on praising the government after the elections too. Government trended Space channel also propagandized in favour of the government. Sometimes did not lighted the activities of opposition but in most cases carried antipropaganda.

In our previous commentaries we noted that ANS's trend to the government was evidently seen. Besides that we informed that а series of journalists left ANS. Lately ANS tries to make attempts to restore its previous independent position. As to newspapers, opposition and governmental newspapers' influence circles are much greater on society.

 

 

TELEVISION

AzTV

It is state television.The amount of its time is 110-115 hours in, а week.

Within the 15 day National Television dedicated 25 hours program to Aliyev. 19 hours 35 minutes were given to radical opposition in which they were criticized and anti-propagandized. One hour twenty minutes were offered to governmental parties and organizations.

SPASE TV

In а week this channel occupies 56 hours. 6 hours of 56 are information and social-political programs. "Har Gun" which is on twice à day, "Nabz" social-political program which is on once, а week, "Har Hafta" which is on only on Sundays are included here. The rest of the programs are entertaining. Mostly the position of the present day president has been lighted during 1-15 November. The majority of information, commentaries were dedicated to the president. Aliyev's official meetings have been widely lighted. During the 15 day the amount of programs in favour of the president occupied 1 hour 28 minutes. The president's activity has not been criticized.

Though the stands of the opposition has been lighted, it was antipropaganda. The information and commentaries against the opposition occupied 51 minutes but these programs for the opposition occupied 23 minutes. Space channel is not severe last days. Radical opposition, as well as other presidential candidates, especially Mamedov and Mehdiyev have been criticized.

ANS TV.

It is an independent telechannel. 80 hours are given to its programs in, а week.

25 hours of this time are social-political and information programs. Certain part of "Salam" entertaining-information program which is on 2 hours and, à half each day, "Nazar Nogtesi" social-political program's which is on for 20 minutes, "Khabarchi", which is televised for half an hour, "Tam" which is on for 40 minutes only on Sundays and "Dars" programs which is on for 30 minutes only on Fridays are included here.

It is the first independent teleradio company. It has been trying to be neutral with the programs during 1-15 November. Within the 15 day the government has been criticized for 25 minutes but appraised for 32 minutes. But the opposition has been criticized for 24 minutes and appraised for 29 minutes. The official meetings of the head of the government has been regularly lighted. ANS is trying to restore its previous neutral position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

"AZADLIG"

A-3 formatted, daily, 8 paged (once a week 16 paged) newspaper. Previously it has been Popular Front's newspaper. At the last Congress of the Organisation it gained independence. Its political sympathy is for APFP.

65 articles connected with the elections have been published. 14 of them were information, 17 of them were commentaries, 23 of them were analyticals and 11 of them were interviews. Aliyev's name was mentioned in 19 articles. 3 of them were informative, 16 of them were criticism.

7 times Isa Gambar's, 16 times Abulfaz Elchibey's, 8 times Rasul Guliyev's, 4 times Lala Shovkat Hadjiyeva's, 3 times , Ilyas Ismayilov's name 1 times have been mentioned. About ex-presidential candidates, namely Etibar Mamedov's name 13 times, Nizami Suleymanov's name 5 times, Ashraf Mehdiyev's name 7 times have been stressed. 8 articles were dedicated to SIDSUH.

Besides this , several articles were published connected with the inter-oppositional attitudes. About Central Election Commission (CEC) is activity and officially undeclared election results about formulation of new blocks on both, governmental and opposition fronts, especially about Movement for Democracy (DYH) .

"AYNA"

It is an independent newspaper A-3 formatted, a weekly , 48 paged.

16 articles appeared on the pages of this paper connected with the powers and personalities who were interested in the elections. Heydar Aliyev's name was mentioned in 6 articles. 2 of them are of information character. In other articles his policy has been analysed.

4 times Isa Gambar's , 3 times Elchibay's, 2 times Rasul Guliyev's , 1 time Hadjiyeva's, 2 times Ismayilov's, 3 times Mamedov's, 1 time Mehdiyev's, 3 times Suleymanov's names were mentioned. 1 article was dedicated to the activity of SIDSUH. Besides articles about inter-oppositional relations, the formulation of new blocks on both fronts have been published.

"THE 525th GAZET"

It is an independent newspaper. A-3 formatted, three times a week , 16 paged .

31 articles on the pages of newspaper connected with the elections during the 7th 15 day of the monitoring. 7 of them were informative, 16 of them were commentaries, 5 of them were analyticals and 3 of them were interviews.

5 times Aliyev's name was noted. 3 articles are information character. 2 of them articles he were criticised. 6 times Isa Gambar's , 5 times Elchibay's , 2 times Guliyev's , 3 times Lala Shovkat Hadjiyeva's , 3 times Ilyas Ismayilov's name were mentioned. About ex-presidential candidates, namely, Mamedov's name 6 times, N.Suleymanov's name 4 times, Mehdiyev's 1 name time, Firuddin Hasanov's name 1 times were mentioned.

5 articles were about the activities of SIDSUH.

Besides articles about inter-oppositional relations, the formulation of new blocks on both fronts have been published.

OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER's

 

"YENI MUSAVAT"

It is opposition newspaper. A-3 formatted, daily, 16 paged (sometimes 8).

Its political sympathy is for Musavat Party.

83 articles were about the elections on its pages. 35 of this articles were commentaries, 21 of them were informative, 9 of them were interviews and 18 articles were analytical.

Aliyev's name is mentioned in 25 writings of which 5 articles are of information character and 20 articles he was criticised. 18 times Isa Gambar's name, 15 times Elchibay's name, 13 times Guliyev's , 8 times Lala Hadjiyeva's, 7 times Ismayilov's name, 15 times Mammadov's, 5 times Mehdiyev's, 9 times Suleymanov's names were mentioned.

12 articles were about the activities of SIDSUH.

Besides this, several articles were published connected with the inter-oppositional relations. About Central Election Commission (CEC's) activity and officially undeclared election results, about formulation of new blocks on both-governmental and opposition fronts.

"MUKHALIFAT"

It is opposition newspaper. A-3 formatted, three times a week, 8 paged.

51 articles were published connected with the elections. 21 of them are commentaries, 15 of them were informative, 9 of them were analytical, 6 of them were interviews. Aliyev's name was mentioned in 12 of them. 3 of them were information. He was criticised in 9 of them.

5 times Gambar's name, 3 times Elchibey's name, 2 times Guliyev's, 3 times Hadjiyeva's name were mentioned. About the ex-presidential candidates, namely, Mamedov's name 2 times, Suleymanov's name 4 times , Mehdiyev's name 4 times , were mentioned.

5 articles were dedicated to SIDSUH.

Besides articles about inter-oppositional relations, the formulation of new blocks on both fronts have been published.

 

"JUMHURRIYYET"

It is opposition newspaper. Its political sympathy is for APFP. A-3 formatted, twice a week, 8 paged newspaper.

It has published 27 articles about the elections. 8 of them were information, 7 of them were commentaries, 9 of them were analysticals, 3 of them were interviews.

Aliyev's name was mentioned 11 times. 3 of them were information and in 8 articles he has been criticised. Gambar's name 4 times , Elchibey's name 8 times , Hadjiyeva's name 2 times, Guliyev's name 3 times have been mentioned. About ex-presidential candidates, namely Mamedov's name 5 times, Suleymanov's name 3 times, Mehdiyev's name 3 times have been mentioned.

7 articles connected with the activity of SIDSUH, have been published.

Besides, articles were published about inter-oppositional relations, about CEC's activity and officially undeclared election results, about formulation of new blocks on both governmental and opposition fronts.

 

GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPERS

"AZERBAIJAN"

It is the organ of the Parliament. A-2 formatted, daily, 4 paged (sometimes 6 paged).

The newspaper published 96 articles about the persons and political parties who were interested in the elections.

82 articles were information connected with Aliyev. 46 of these articles were information (mainly his meetings, reception of different delegations especially information about his Turkey visit). In 36 articles his name was popularized. The number of congratulation letters to Aliyev on his election victory was approximately 75 (home and foreign congratulation letters).

Nearly 30 articles were about opposition, the majority of them were criticism. In 11articles Gambar, in 13 articles Elchibey, in 2 times Guliyev's name, in 4 times Hadjiyeva, in 3 articles Ismayilov, in 2 articles Mehdiyev, in 4 articles Suleymanov and in 18 articles Mamedov have been mentioned and criticized. In 5 articles the stands of ANIP after the elections have been criticized. Opposition has been criticized for its after election stands, for its different arrangements different times and it was called "crushing" opposition. Opposition is being accused for the incidents on the 7th and 8th of November meetings and demonstrations and it is considered to have the responsibility on it and the opinions of the public representatives are being introduced.

"KHALG GAZETI"

It is the newspaper of Presidential Cabinet. A-2 formatted, daily, 4 paged (sometimes 6 and 8 paged).

129 articles about the persons or political powers who were interested in the elections have been published. In 89 of them Aliyev's name was mentioned. 56 of them were informative (especially his meetings, reception of different delegations, especially information about his Turkey visits have been published).

In 33 articles his name was popularized. The amount of sincere letters (home and foreign) which were addressed to him on the occasion of his election victory was 83. In 62 articles opposition has been mostly criticized. In 19 articles Isa Gambar's, in 20 articles Elchibey's, in 10 articles Rasul Guliyev's, in 8 articles Mehdiyev, in 10 articles Suleymanov, in 4 articles Hadjiyeva's, in 7 articles Ismayilov's, in 27 articles Mamedov's names have been mentioned and criticized.

 

 

"YENI AZERBAIJAN"

It is the organ of leading party Yeni Azerbaijan. A-3 formatted, daily, 8 paged.

72 articles about the persons and political parties who were interested in the elections have been published. In 14 of them Aliyev's name has been mentioned. 5 of the articles were informative. In 9 articles his name has been popularized.

Opposition has been mainly criticized in 56 articles. In 13 articles Gambar's, in 11 articles Elchibey's, in 10 articles Guliyev's, in 7 articles Hadjiyeva's, in 3 articles Ismayilov's, in 7 articles Mehdiyev's, in 4 articles Suleymanov's, in 13 articles Mamedov's names have been mentioned and criticised. Besides that 1 time Gambar's, 2 times Elchibey's and Lala Shovkat Hadjiyeva's and 1 time Ismayilov's names were mentioned in an information material.

In 5 articles ANIP has been criticized for its after election position. Opposition has been criticized for its after election grounds, for its different arrangements at different times and was called "crushing" opposition. The newspaper wrote about inter-opposition conflicts and especial attention was given to the exaggeration of these nuances.

 

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