From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Thu Jul 11 2002 - 10:02:04 EDT
AZERB@IJAN
A WEEKLY ANALYTICAL-INFORMATION BULLETIN
No: 28 (330), July 11, 2002
http://www.andf-az.org/news.html
AZERBAIJAN NATIONAL DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION
http://www.andf-az.org/
The publication of this Bulletin is sponsored by the
CANADA FUND
Editor: Ulvi HAKIMOV
Translator: Ruhiyya JAMILLI
Authors: Farhad MAMMADOV, Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
#1. THE TRIP OF POLISH YOUTH AND STUDENTS TO BAKU TO BE FINISHED
They held 24 meetings in total within 7 days.
By Farhad MAMMADOV
#2.UNCERTAINTY TO BE ELIMINATED AT THE CLASSICS WING OF AZERBAIJAN POPULAR FRONT
PARTY
Supreme Assembly of the party switched on red light to those wishing to put the
Popular Front Party under the influence of the government.
By Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
#3. OPPOSITION LEADERS SEARCH WAYS FOR PREVENTING LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
Nine opposition parties have come to an agreement for acting together in connection
with August 24 referendum.
By Farhad MAMMADOV
#4. THE EUROPE CALLS TO HOLD ELECTION REFORMS IN COHERENT CONDITIONS IN AZERBAIJAN
The OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) considers
expedient holding round tables with the participation of interested sides around a
draft of election code.
By Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
#5. NOBODY FROM THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN
Andreas Gross: "To hold a dialogue with Heidar Aliev is impossible".
#6. A CLASH AMONG STUDENTS AND POLICE IN IRAN
As a result, several people were injured and detained
#7. EDITORS' UNION PROTEST CEC
Arif Aliev: "CEC can not prohibit journalists to gain information".
#8. CREDIT IS SEARCHED FOR BAKU-CEYHAN
70 percent of the project will be executed by debts.
#9.NEW BOOK TITLED "AZERBAIJAN HISTORY- HISTORY OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC" TO BE
PUBLISHED
Politicians appreciate a new book of Maharram Zulfugarli so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#1. THE TRIP OF POLISH YOUTH AND STUDENTS TO BAKU TO BE FINISHED
They held 24 meetings in total within 7 days.
By Farhad MAMMADOV
A trip of Polish youth and student delegation to Baku since July 4 with the
invitation of Azerbaijan National Democracy Foundation [ANDF] has finished. As it
was reported, 10-member delegation composed of students and graduate students from
capital and a number of regional universities of Poland, as well as representatives
of various Youth NGOs were taking part in the Internship program executed by the
ANDF and Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe [IDEE-Warsaw] within the project
titled "The Role of Youth and Students in the Democratization Process".
Polish youth has held totally 24 meetings within a 6-day visit. They were in a
number of public and political organizations, state institutions, and various mass
media offices in order to hold discussions on the socio-political situation in
Azerbaijan. At the first day of trip, they visited ANDF, D.Alieva Association for
the Protection of Women's Rights, a sponsor of the project Open Society
Institute-Assistance Foundation, and at the Azerbaijani-Turkish Youth Friendship
Society. The next day, a deputy minister of Youth, Sport and Tourism received the
delegation, then the Polish guests were at the local "Space" TV channel and
National NGO Forum.
On July 6, 2002, the delegation met with the leaders of major opposition parties-
NIP's chairman Etibar Mammadov, Musavat's chairman Isa Gambar, Popular Front
[Classics wing] chairman Mirmahmud Miralioglu, and Popular Front [Reformers wing]
chairman Ali Karimli. There were held interesting discussions on the political
situation in Azerbaijan, elections, legislative changes, Upper Karabakh conflict,
and other themes during those meetings. On July 7, Polish youth held meetings at
the Young Intellectuals Movement unifying students studied in Turkey and NGOs'
Congress of over 40 local NGOs. During those meetings, there were an exchange of
opinion and experience concerning the activity of Azeri NGOs focused on elections
and development of democracy.
On July 8, Maleyka Abbaszadeh, chairwoman of the State Commission on Student
Selection, received the Polish youth. She has given detailed information about the
test system applied for student's selection during the last ten years in Azerbaijan
and activity of the commission. Then there were a broad discussion concerning the
use of test system and Polish youth acquainted with a computer center of the
commission supplied with modern equipment. On that day, the delegation continued
their meetings at the "bp" Baku office and President's Apparatus. Among others
there were discussions on the activity of foreign oil companies in Azerbaijan,
"bp"'s partnership with local NGOs, problems preventing NGOs' development,
elections, etc. during those meetings. On the last day of visit, on July 9, the
Polish delegation met with the leadership of Central Election Commission. They have
appealed CEC leadership with numerous questions concerning the 2000 parliamentary
elections of which results were roughly falsified, as well as the forthcoming
presidential elections, a referendum scheduled to be held on August 24, 2002. The
next meeting of Polish guests was at the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic
[SOCAR] on that day. Two vice-presidents and a chief specialist on oil exploration
of the Company have received them. Valeh Alasgarov, a vice-president on foreign
investments, gave detailed information on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project, status
of the Caspian Sea, quantity and expenses of oil pipelines, and issues to the
guests.
A 10-member delegation composed of Azeri students and youth, as well as NGO
representatives will start to Poland within that project for an internship in early
August, as well.
<=Back
#2.UNCERTAINTY TO BE ELIMINATED AT THE CLASSICS WING OF AZERBAIJAN POPULAR FRONT
PARTY
Supreme Assembly of the party switched on red light to those wishing to put the
Popular Front Party under the influence of the government.
By Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
"Stop talks held towards unifying the Popular Front Party"- a decision about it was
adopted at the next session of the Popular Front Supreme Assembly held on July 7.
The question is about the talks held between the Popular Front [Classics wing]
chairman Mirmahmud Miralioglu and representatives of a group separated from the
APFP "Reformers' wing" [Arif Pasha and Gudrat Hasanguliyev]. The decision of the
Supreme Assembly, which is not seen so popular from the first view, in fact, has
prevented the danger of falling the Popular Front under the influence of the
government authorities.
Let us note that there were going sharp discussions around the theme of unification
of this party both within the APFP [Classics' wing] and entirely, in society during
the last months. After a break-up within the APFP [Reformers' wing], a group
separated from Ali Karimli (chairman of the union) turned to a party led by
Mirmahmud Miralioglu. However, they have come out with an initiative of holding the
Popular Front's next "unifying" congress, instead of becoming directly a member of
the Popular Front. The sincerity of those putting forward that initiative was under
doubt beforehand, because there were numerous reports on being controlled a
non-formal leader of the mentioned group Gudrat Hasanguliyev by the authorities.
There were clearly seen contradictions in his position in respect to a number of
principal issues, in particular, in respect to government with that of the Popular
Front at his media release during that period. Nevertheless, leading structures of
the Popular Front demonstrated constructive position to Hasanguliyev's initiatives
and adopted a decision on holding the next "unifying" congress and being
represented of the mentioned group at the organizing committee of that congress.
But after that, the real goals of a group represented by Hasanguliyev were
revealed. Members of that group conducted trips to various regions of the republic,
created separations at the local branches of the party, tried to separate the
party' members into two camps and formalize "Hasanguliyev's party" within the
Popular Front. Moreover, the pick point of those measures was a revolt organized by
the mentioned group against the leadership of the Popular Front last week- a
"republic-wide congress" conducted against the decisions of the party. All the
speeches made in that congress addressed towards sharp criticism of the Popular
Front leadership and praising the government. Only after that, the Popular Front
Supreme Assembly applied radical steps counted for preventing entire vagueness in
the party.
At the July 7 session of the Supreme Assembly, there has also been issued a
decision on firing three members of the Steering Committee- Sohrab Abdullayev and
Natig Alasgerov from their posts, and generally, dismissing Faraj Guliyev from the
party's membership. Instead of them, Mammad Zeynalov and Natig Hasanov who seized
high state posts during Elchibey's presidency, a political prisoner released two
months ago Aydin Gasimov, as well as a lawyer Alibala Rzayev were elected members
of the Steering Committee. So, positions of real Elchibey-lovers have been
strengthened at the leading bodies of the Popular Front Party.
<=Back
#3. OPPOSITION LEADERS SEARCH WAYS FOR PREVENTING LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
Nine opposition parties have come to an agreement for acting together in connection
with August 24 referendum.
By Farhad MAMMADOV
For nearly three weeks that the Azeri opposition is searching ways in order to
prevent the realization of Heidar Aliev's unexpected step on making changes in 25
Articles of the Constitution. As it was reported, the Constitutional Court has
approved the suggestion of the president and there has been scheduled a referendum
for August 24, 2002 for ratifying those changes. Some of those changes has
principal importance and consider abolishing proportional election system,
increasing president's authorities, restricting parliament's authorities.
However, the opposition that faced with a danger of unexpectedly changing the
political system of the country in anti-democratic direction cannot still take
concrete measures in order to prevent changes to the Constitution which consider
anti-democratic. Most of them support boycotting the August 24 referendum, others
consider positive to pressure on the government through joint protest actions. For
now, only the National Independence Party among the major opposition parties has
issued a decision on boycott. Democratic Congress where the Musavat Party is
represented, as well has suggested postponing the date of referendum for a month.
According to the positions of member parties of the Congress, it is possible to
acquaint the people with the anti-democratic essence of the changes during that
period. The Popular Front Party [Reformers' wing] that has concluded a bilateral
agreement of alliance with the NIP has declared that if the suggestions on
anti-democratic changes are not withdrawn, the party will boycott the referendum a
day before it. On July 10, leaders of nine opposition parties that did not attempt
to a mutual partnership until now including the Musavat, National Independence,
Popular Front [both wings], and Democrat parties have come together in order to
discuss the ways of how to prevent becoming valid of the legislative changes which
they regard anti-democratic. After the meeting, leaders have stated that there has
been come to a common agreement for functioning together in connection with August
24 referendum. However, it is not still known what these common actions are. In the
words of the Popular Front [Reformers' wing] chairman Ali Karimli, a plan of joint
measures is being prepared and will be given to public discussion in the nearest
days. While a number of suggestions including boycott and mass protest actions were
recalled in order to prevent becoming valid of those anti-democratic changes at the
meeting, all the leaders have stressed that a real way out of that situation is
only composed of unification.
<=Back
#4. THE EUROPE CALLS TO HOLD ELECTION REFORMS IN COHERENT CONDITIONS IN AZERBAIJAN
The OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) considers
expedient holding round tables with the participation of interested sides around a
draft of election code.
By Mustafa HAJIBEYLI
The OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights [ODIHR], in its
official statement at the media, has called holding election reforms and process of
preparing new election laws in Azerbaijan in fully open conditions.
"While it is the sovereign right of a state to reform its election system, such
fundamental legislative changes should be based on a broad political consensus in
order to ensure widest public confidence in the reform process and its outcomes",
said Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, Director of the ODIHR.
In the statement is stressed that ODIHR will prepare relevant instructions
encountering international standards on the election code in accordance with a
request of official Baku. It is notable that ODIHR has analogical activity
experience in Azerbaijan. On the eve of the 2000 parliamentary elections- when a
law on the Central Election Commission [CEC] was on adoption- ODIHR provided a
dialogue between the government and opposition and in fact, executed both the
functions of a moderator and an instructor in those talks.
ODIHR considers relevant, when a draft of election code is published, to open broad
discussions around it, to hold round tables with the participation of the
interested sides. ODIHR will provide the debate's participants with comments on the
draft of election code in order to hold the discussion in a full informative
condition at the round tables.
The statement is also rejecting accusations of the NIP [National Independence
Party] addressed to ODIHR several times ago: "ODIHR has begun consultations with
each of the leading involved sides including the government around a new draft of
election code. This is why, accusing ODIHR by one of the opposition parties in
"confidential ties" with the government circles in baseless". In the statement is
quoted that making such accusations in particular, in light of discussions held
several times ago among the ODIHR representatives and representatives of Azeri
political parties in Warsaw seems irrelevant. In other words, there are hinted
participation of a NIP representative in the discussions held in Warsaw, too, that
is, besides the government, the office has begun consultations with opposition
forces, as well as with NIP in the statement.
There also noted that on the contrary to the reports at the Azeri media outlets, a
recently adopted Act of Referendum has not been presented to ODIHR for an
expertise.
<=Back
#5. NOBODY FROM THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN
Andreas Gross: "To hold a dialogue with Heidar Aliev is impossible".
"I and another reporter Martinez Kosan first planned to visit together. But at the
current situation no one from the monitoring group will come to Azerbaijan. That
incident distressed me very much and once again confirmed that it is impossible to
hold a dialogue with that person [Heidar Aliev is regarded-Ed.]. This fact greatly
blows on the international image of Azerbaijan".
<AzB>
<=Back
#6. A CLASH AMONG STUDENTS AND POLICE IN IRAN
As a result, several people were injured and detained.
On July 9, at night, there happened a clash among students and police in Tehran,
Shiraz, and Isfahan, Iran. According to the report of Iranian sources {Turan},
several thousands of students came out to the streets and marked the anniversary of
bloody incidents happened in Tehran.
As it was turned out, on July 9, 11 1999, during mass disturbances at the capital
of Iran students demanded to make democratic reforms, punish head of
law-enforcement agencies who attacked on the students' hostel of Tehran University.
During the July 9 rallies and disturbances, several thousands of students gathered
in front of the Tehran University, Mohseni and Ingilab [revolution] squares.
Because of clash with the police, several persons were injured and arrested. While
dispersing the demonstrators, police used of tear-gas.
<AzB>
<=Back
#7. EDITORS' UNION PROTEST CEC
Arif Aliev: "CEC can not prohibit journalists to gain information".
As it was turned out, there were held discussions on presenting the Central
Election Commission [CEC] a list of media representatives that will observe
referendum at the latest session of the CEC. According to a decision adopted about
it, mass media must present the list of their representatives that will take part
as an observer in the referendum to be held on August 24 in connection with
legislative changes to the Constitution till July 15. On July 10, members of the
Editors' Union have gathered at the "Ayna" press house in order to show reaction to
the matter. Arif Aliev, chairman of the "Yeni Nesil" Journalists' Union, said that
the claim of CEC is not legal. He marked that claim is against the legislature on
mass media. "A journalist has a right to gain free information" said Arif Aliev and
added the adopted decision is against the legislature: "Over a month remains till
the referendum. It is not still known in which field a journalist will function. It
seems that a journalist whose name is not at the list can not cover the election".
He also noted that there would be appealed to the CEC in accordance with the
agreement of the editors. There will be marked that claim is against legislature in
that document: "The CEC will be asked, like in previous years, not to prevent
journalists to cover such a political-motivated ceremony". In case if that appeal
is not accepted, there will be applied to court.
<AzB>
<=Back
#8. CREDIT IS SEARCHED FOR BAKU-CEYHAN
70 percent of the project will be executed by debts.
"BTC Co." and "BTC Investment" companies will realize the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan [BTC]
oil pipeline project. Valeh Alasgerov, chief of the State Oil Company [SOCAR]
Foreign Investment Department, reported about it to the journalists.
In his words, "BTC Co." will directly fulfill construction works, and "BTC
Investment" will resolve financial problems of the project. 30 percent of the
project will be funded by the participants and 70 percent will be get from
international financial institutes, commercial banks, and here each participant is
obliged to return credit.
Presently, talks are being held with financial institutes and commercial banks.
"Their names will be revealed after an agreement is concluded and project is
sanctioned, and probably it will happen soon", chief of department said.
Participation of expert-credit agencies of the countries dealing with supply of
finance and equipment to the companies, as well as JBIC bank of Japan is also
possible in crediting the project. Pipelines for BTC will be purchased from
"Sumitomo" and "Itochu" companies of Japan. Winners of the tenders held for
overground equipment supply of BTC project will be revealed in the nearest days.
<AzB>
<=Back
#9.NEW BOOK TITLED "AZERBAIJAN HISTORY- HISTORY OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC" TO BE
PUBLISHED
Politicians appreciate a new book of Maharram Zulfugarli so.
A new book of historian Maharram Zulfugarli, advisor of the NIP [National
Independence Party] chairman, titled "Azerbaijan History- The History of the Second
Republic" has been published. Yesterday, a presentation ceremony of the new book
was held. In the words of the book's author, this scientific literature put for
readers' judgment composes a base of his thesis wrote for getting a degree of
doctor of historical sciences.
Maharram Zulfugarli divides republican history of Azerbaijan into three parts;
state independence covering 1918-1920 is marked as first, 70 years ruling of Soviet
empire as the second, and the years after 1992 as the third republican history of
Azerbaijan at the book. "The book mainly covering the history of 1920-1991s may be
considered a very important manual for the future generation". Etibar Mammadov,
chairman of the NIP, stated about it at the ceremony. In his words, there are false
and rejected information about the tragedies happened when Azerbaijan was under the
influence of Soviet Empire at the literature that we faced up today. This is why,
Etibar Mammadov considers the mentioned book as a gift having very big importance
to the Azerbaijani history.
<AzB>
<=Back
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The AZERBAIJAN- weekly bulletin is published and distributed via-Internet since
September 1997 in separate Azeri, English, and Russian editions. ANDF publishes the
monthly DEMOCRACY MONITOR of the bulletin materials, articles, and analyses on the
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information, and see photos about ANDF's activity, weekly bulletins and monthly
monitors, and their archives, its partners, international organizations, contacts
to local NGOs, and others on the site:
http://www.andf-az.org/
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Copyright (c) THE AZERBAIJAN BULLETIN [AzB] 2002
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