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TOWARDS BRIGHT FUTURE OR DARK MIDDLE AGES?
by Garik Martirosyan
Azat Artsakh
10 Jan 09
NKR
The probability of the elimination of restriction on the presidential
term in Azerbaijan creates grounds for sad and serious concerns.
The Azerbaijani president has not yet said his "reputable" word
- either positive or negative - regarding the constitutional
changes. This imparts special mystery to the process.
A question arises: do the Azerbaijani people need a constitution
at all, if a "lifetime" president will rule that country and will
reserve for himself the right to personally set up the government, to
personally appoint Majlis [parliament] members and its speaker. Where
is Azerbaijan going with those "long strides" - to a bright future
or the dark Middle Ages? It is painful that European entities (and
not only them), which have assumed the role of zealous protectors
of human rights and freedoms, believe that those are exclusively
Azerbaijan's domestic issues and continue to be guided by doubtful
standards and their own mercenary interests.
Azerbaijan's political and cultural elite and intelligentsia
believe that it is impossible to ensure the country's dynamic
development without [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev's wise
management. Moreover, if we listen to them, there is no other leader
like him. He is exclusive and irreplaceable.
Not everyone in Azerbaijan like the idea of Aliyev's unlimited
power. Baku's Zerkalo newspaper writes: "An impression has been
established that the idea [of removing restrictions on the presidential
term] has been favoured at the highest level and is considered to be
a settled issue. The major indicator is that the heavy artillery -
intelligentsia - has been used. No matter how those who favour this
idea represent it, they cannot hide it in any way, and some even show
clearly that we are amending the constitution to suit one person."
Some Azerbaijani MPs misuse [the ideas of] "Azerbaijan's geopolitical
situation" and "the failure to resolve the Karabakh conflict",
alleging that they "require the expansion of the powers of the head of
state". It has been even announced that the restriction of the head of
the state's right to be elected for more than two terms contradicts
principles of democratic elections. To be brief, there is an attempt
to manipulate the law in accordance with the situation.
It cannot be ruled out that this unprecedented political show will
have a "sensational" outcome and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
will appear to his people as the number one supporter of democratic
and European values.
by Garik Martirosyan
Azat Artsakh
10 Jan 09
NKR
The probability of the elimination of restriction on the presidential
term in Azerbaijan creates grounds for sad and serious concerns.
The Azerbaijani president has not yet said his "reputable" word
- either positive or negative - regarding the constitutional
changes. This imparts special mystery to the process.
A question arises: do the Azerbaijani people need a constitution
at all, if a "lifetime" president will rule that country and will
reserve for himself the right to personally set up the government, to
personally appoint Majlis [parliament] members and its speaker. Where
is Azerbaijan going with those "long strides" - to a bright future
or the dark Middle Ages? It is painful that European entities (and
not only them), which have assumed the role of zealous protectors
of human rights and freedoms, believe that those are exclusively
Azerbaijan's domestic issues and continue to be guided by doubtful
standards and their own mercenary interests.
Azerbaijan's political and cultural elite and intelligentsia
believe that it is impossible to ensure the country's dynamic
development without [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev's wise
management. Moreover, if we listen to them, there is no other leader
like him. He is exclusive and irreplaceable.
Not everyone in Azerbaijan like the idea of Aliyev's unlimited
power. Baku's Zerkalo newspaper writes: "An impression has been
established that the idea [of removing restrictions on the presidential
term] has been favoured at the highest level and is considered to be
a settled issue. The major indicator is that the heavy artillery -
intelligentsia - has been used. No matter how those who favour this
idea represent it, they cannot hide it in any way, and some even show
clearly that we are amending the constitution to suit one person."
Some Azerbaijani MPs misuse [the ideas of] "Azerbaijan's geopolitical
situation" and "the failure to resolve the Karabakh conflict",
alleging that they "require the expansion of the powers of the head of
state". It has been even announced that the restriction of the head of
the state's right to be elected for more than two terms contradicts
principles of democratic elections. To be brief, there is an attempt
to manipulate the law in accordance with the situation.
It cannot be ruled out that this unprecedented political show will
have a "sensational" outcome and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
will appear to his people as the number one supporter of democratic
and European values.