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EXPERTS: PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S REELECTION IN AZERBAIJAN 'SUITABLE' FOR ARMENIA
News | 02.10.13 | 10:40
Photo: www.wikipedia.org
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Yerevan-based experts on Azerbaijan believe that reelection of the
neighboring republic's incumbent president Ilham Aliyev in next week's
ballot will indeed be beneficial for Armenia. They say Aliyev is the
"most predictable" out of the candidates vying for the top post in
Azerbaijan and despite his war rhetoric is unlikely to resort to a
military adventure.
Earlier, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan also spoke in favor of a
scenario with Aliyev's reelection. During a meeting with students
in August Sargsyan, in particular, said that for Armenia it would
perhaps be most suitable if incumbent President Ilham Aliyev won.
"Armenia, and not only Armenia, is interested in the neighbors which
have taken the democratic path of development. Thus, when it comes
to a neighbor, especially to a partner in negotiations, Armenia
in invariably interested in a democratic Azerbaijan. However if
we disregard that fact for a moment, the answer to the question is
the following: we'd rather see President Ilham Aliyev win. We have
been going through a tough and long process of negotiations, and if
we outline the framework for the solution of the problem it will at
least contain the public endorsement of the principles proposed by the
Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group. They have been actively negotiated for
the last four years. Certainly, I wouldn't say that the process is
very lively now, nevertheless a certain progress has been made, and
if after the elections President Aliyev is able to display political
will and to rise above his fanatical Armenophobia, I believe that
would be the most acceptable choice for us," said Sargsyan.
Expert on Azerbaijan Sargis Asatryan says that despite Aliyev's war
rhetoric, under Aliyev's rule Azerbaijan has become one of the most
corrupt states in the world, it has many problems in the army, and,
therefore, instability in the neighboring hostile country is beneficial
to Armenia.
"If someone comes and puts everything in order there, that would not
be that easy for Armenia. There is a huge flow of petrodollars, and if
this flow is directed to the right path and the economy develops not
only at the expense of the oil sector, naturally Azerbaijan will grow
stronger, because, after all, it has several times higher potential
as compared to Armenia both in human and financial resources. But
the longer the internal instable situation continues in Azerbaijan,
the more beneficial it is for Armenia," says Asatryan.
Ten candidates are taking part in the presidential election in
Azerbaijan scheduled for October 9. Incumbent President Aliyev's
main rival is the single opposition candidate Jamil Hasanli, who has
been nominated from the National Front of Democratic Forces. Earlier,
Moscow-based well-known writer and film director Rustam Ibrahimbekov
had made a bid to run against Aliyev, but because of problems with
dual citizenship he was disqualified and denied registration as a
candidate in Azerbaijan. The opposition then decided to field Hasanli
instead of Ibrahimbekov.
Hasanli, according to Asatryan, is known for his anti-Armenian stance
and is the author of a number of pieces that largely distort history.
Aliyev has been at the helm of Azerbaijan's government since 2003
when his father, longtime ruler in communist and then independent
Azerbaijan, died. He is most likely to be elected for a third
consecutive five-year term on October 9.
During the current election campaign in Azerbaijan violence has been
reported against opposition members, journalists, many activists
have been arrested on various charges. And one televised debate
among candidates (not attended by the incumbent president) ended in
a quarrel: Modern Musavat Party chairman Hafiz Hajiyev threw a water
bottle on the main opposition candidate Hasanli. Their heated argument,
by the way, concerned Nagorno-Karabakh, as Hajiyev blamed people like
Hasanli for the loss of what Azerbaijan regards as its province.
Hajiyev, who by the way, is known for his scandalous behavior, has
promised that if he comes to power he will solve the Karabakh problem
within just six months.
But expert Asatryan says that while the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh
is one of the important subjects in the presidential election
debate in Azerbaijan, the positions of the other candidates do not
significantly differ from that of Aliyev. They have said that if the
matter is not resolved through diplomatic channels, they are ready
"to restore the constitution of Azerbaijan and re-establish control
over Nagorno-Karabakh."
According to Asatryan, a change of power in Azerbaijan at this moment
is almost impossible, as the entire administrative resource is in the
hands of Aliyev and he is doing everything to be reelected. Besides,
the expert says, there is no charismatic leader within the Azeri
opposition that would be able to gather a revolutionary electorate
around him.
http://armenianow.com/news/48875/azerbaijan_presidential_elections_ilham_aliyev
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
News | 02.10.13 | 10:40
Photo: www.wikipedia.org
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Yerevan-based experts on Azerbaijan believe that reelection of the
neighboring republic's incumbent president Ilham Aliyev in next week's
ballot will indeed be beneficial for Armenia. They say Aliyev is the
"most predictable" out of the candidates vying for the top post in
Azerbaijan and despite his war rhetoric is unlikely to resort to a
military adventure.
Earlier, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan also spoke in favor of a
scenario with Aliyev's reelection. During a meeting with students
in August Sargsyan, in particular, said that for Armenia it would
perhaps be most suitable if incumbent President Ilham Aliyev won.
"Armenia, and not only Armenia, is interested in the neighbors which
have taken the democratic path of development. Thus, when it comes
to a neighbor, especially to a partner in negotiations, Armenia
in invariably interested in a democratic Azerbaijan. However if
we disregard that fact for a moment, the answer to the question is
the following: we'd rather see President Ilham Aliyev win. We have
been going through a tough and long process of negotiations, and if
we outline the framework for the solution of the problem it will at
least contain the public endorsement of the principles proposed by the
Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group. They have been actively negotiated for
the last four years. Certainly, I wouldn't say that the process is
very lively now, nevertheless a certain progress has been made, and
if after the elections President Aliyev is able to display political
will and to rise above his fanatical Armenophobia, I believe that
would be the most acceptable choice for us," said Sargsyan.
Expert on Azerbaijan Sargis Asatryan says that despite Aliyev's war
rhetoric, under Aliyev's rule Azerbaijan has become one of the most
corrupt states in the world, it has many problems in the army, and,
therefore, instability in the neighboring hostile country is beneficial
to Armenia.
"If someone comes and puts everything in order there, that would not
be that easy for Armenia. There is a huge flow of petrodollars, and if
this flow is directed to the right path and the economy develops not
only at the expense of the oil sector, naturally Azerbaijan will grow
stronger, because, after all, it has several times higher potential
as compared to Armenia both in human and financial resources. But
the longer the internal instable situation continues in Azerbaijan,
the more beneficial it is for Armenia," says Asatryan.
Ten candidates are taking part in the presidential election in
Azerbaijan scheduled for October 9. Incumbent President Aliyev's
main rival is the single opposition candidate Jamil Hasanli, who has
been nominated from the National Front of Democratic Forces. Earlier,
Moscow-based well-known writer and film director Rustam Ibrahimbekov
had made a bid to run against Aliyev, but because of problems with
dual citizenship he was disqualified and denied registration as a
candidate in Azerbaijan. The opposition then decided to field Hasanli
instead of Ibrahimbekov.
Hasanli, according to Asatryan, is known for his anti-Armenian stance
and is the author of a number of pieces that largely distort history.
Aliyev has been at the helm of Azerbaijan's government since 2003
when his father, longtime ruler in communist and then independent
Azerbaijan, died. He is most likely to be elected for a third
consecutive five-year term on October 9.
During the current election campaign in Azerbaijan violence has been
reported against opposition members, journalists, many activists
have been arrested on various charges. And one televised debate
among candidates (not attended by the incumbent president) ended in
a quarrel: Modern Musavat Party chairman Hafiz Hajiyev threw a water
bottle on the main opposition candidate Hasanli. Their heated argument,
by the way, concerned Nagorno-Karabakh, as Hajiyev blamed people like
Hasanli for the loss of what Azerbaijan regards as its province.
Hajiyev, who by the way, is known for his scandalous behavior, has
promised that if he comes to power he will solve the Karabakh problem
within just six months.
But expert Asatryan says that while the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh
is one of the important subjects in the presidential election
debate in Azerbaijan, the positions of the other candidates do not
significantly differ from that of Aliyev. They have said that if the
matter is not resolved through diplomatic channels, they are ready
"to restore the constitution of Azerbaijan and re-establish control
over Nagorno-Karabakh."
According to Asatryan, a change of power in Azerbaijan at this moment
is almost impossible, as the entire administrative resource is in the
hands of Aliyev and he is doing everything to be reelected. Besides,
the expert says, there is no charismatic leader within the Azeri
opposition that would be able to gather a revolutionary electorate
around him.
http://armenianow.com/news/48875/azerbaijan_presidential_elections_ilham_aliyev
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress