Text of report by Azerbaijani TV station ANS on 28th August

[Presenter in studio] The Azerbaijani opposition, demanding
amendments to the law "On municipal elections", has not yet
decided whether to run in the municipal elections or boycott it.

A representative of the leftists and the cochairman of the
Azerbaijani Social Democratic Party [ASDP], Zardusht Alizade,
speaking about the law, says that the Socialist Azerbaijan bloc
is in favour of running in the elections despite the fact that
it is far from being perfect or complete. Eynulla Fatullayev
presents Zardusht Alizade's opinions in this regard.

[Correspondent over video of Zardusht Alizade] The leader
of the Socialist Azerbaijan bloc, Zardusht Alizade, considers
that the participation of his bloc in the elections is
necessary for a solid representation of various political
forces on the Azerbaijani political stage in the municipal
elections. He believes that the leftists, who enjoy a definite
influence in our society, could benefit the country by being
represented in the municipalities.

Alizade thinks that these laws demonstrate that the
authorities are afraid of the people, society and democratic
elections. These laws are full of serious shortcomings. The
absence of a single municipality in Baku, the refusal to permit
parties to participate in the electoral commission although
they are the subjects of the elections, etc. However, there are
no other laws and we are obliged to work with these ones.
Zardusht Alizade is sure that the opposition's attempts to
boycott the elections will yield no results, because some
political parties, calling themselves right-wing forces, will
violate the opposition's solidarity as they are linked to the
ruling elite. He assesses the boycott tactics as not a serious
action.

Zardusht Alizade considers that the authorities are afraid
of the people and already realize that the limits of their
confidence are being exhausted. It is not difficult to predict
that the authorities will attempt to rig the results and, in
his opinion, the opposition's responsibility is to ensure the
cooperation of all opposition forces in order to hinder
falsification attempts.

Eynulla Fatullayev, ANS Source: ANS TV, Baku, in Azeri 1630 gmt 28 Aug 99
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