Text of report by Azerbaijani news agency Turan on 3rd
September

Baku, 3rd September: United Azerbaijan Party regards as
inexpedient its participation in the municipal elections on
12th December 1999. This was said in the party's statement
today. The party evaluated the decision by some opposition
parties to stand in the elections as "cooperation with the
current authorities".

The party's decision was caused by the fact that the
current leadership could not ensure fair, free and democratic
elections either in 1993, 1995 or 1998.
"Unequal" conditions which the authorities have created
for different political forces give grounds for the assertion
that the municipal elections are to be "falsified". The main
indicator of future falsifications is how the authorities are
forming territorial and precinct electoral commissions, the
statement says.

Source: Turan news agency, Baku, in Russian 1425 gmt 03 Sep 99
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