Text of report by Azerbaijani newspaper '525 gazet' on 22nd
September entitled "This is not an election, it is an
appointment" by Gunay

Eldar Ismayilov, director of the independent assistance and
consultancy centre for a civic society, does not rule out that
the municipal elections will "result in a disgrace".
"It looks as though Azerbaijan is confined to Baku and the
Apsheron District and we have no idea about other districts,"
said Ali Abbasov, director of the Institute of Philosophy and
Law, at a seminar devoted to the subject "Assistance to
municipalities" held by the centre to assist democratic
elections. We should note that the seminar was also attended by
representatives of a number of organizations, including various
political parties.

In Abbasov's opinion, municipal elections play an
exceptional role in allowing people to get acquainted with the
situation in the districts.

Eldar Ismayilov, executive director for the independent
assistance and consultancy centre for a civic society, stressed
that one of the main problems confronting the country was how
to conduct the municipal elections on an appropriate level.
"Elections never succeed in Azerbaijan. This is not an
election, this is an appointment. Unfortunately, this time we
are going for an appointment as well," Eldar Ismayilov said and
did not rule out that the elections will "result in a disgrace"
.
Source: `525 gazet', Baku, in Azeri 22 Sep 99 p4
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