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EIN Newsdesk, DC
Oct 27 2013
Azerbaijan's Elections: An Opportunity for a Deeper Partnership
PR Newswire
This article is released by Nasimi Aghayev, Consul General of
Azerbaijan in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On October 9,
Azerbaijan staged its 6th presidential election since its independence
from the Soviet Union 22 years ago. The outcome was of little
surprise: incumbent Ilham Aliyev was re-elected with an impressive
margin.
The reaction of many international observers, including those from the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and European
Parliament, was quite positive. "Overall around Election Day we have
observed a free, fair and transparent electoral process," the
Parliamentary Assembly delegation reported. It was also an observation
echoed by American monitors, such as Former Democratic Congressman
Michael McMahon, who wryly observed that "there were much shorter
lines than in America, and no hanging chads" at the polling places he
visited in Azerbaijan.
Twenty-two years ago, the new states that emerged from the ashes of
the Soviet Union, were seeking a new direction as they set about
creating truly representative government after seven decades under the
totalitarian communist regime. For its part, Azerbaijan opted for a
close relationship with the United States, even though the geopolitics
of a volatile region did not make this an easy choice. To us in
Azerbaijan it was a slam-dunk decision, however, and my country has
never wavered, offering immediate, unconditional assistance following
the 9/11 tragedy, invaluable help during the war in Afghanistan and
serving as a reliable provider of energy for the European allies of
America.
But despite Azerbaijan's commitment to friendship with the U.S., its
efforts have not always been fully reciprocated. One example has been
the infamous Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which bans any
direct U.S. government aid to Azerbaijan. Passed by Congress after
intensive lobbying by Armenian pressure groups, Section 907 has been
waived every year since 9/11 in recognition of Azerbaijan's support
against terrorism - but its very existence risks undermining
Azerbaijan's faith in the United States.
In 2010, two Senate Democrats, members of the Armenian caucus, blocked
President Obama's nomination of Matthew Bryza as America's ambassador
to Azerbaijan. The result was the loss of a tremendously gifted
diplomat who had more than 20 years' experience in Moscow and former
Soviet Union countries.
Most importantly, there has been a lack of sufficient engagement from
the U.S. government on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Armenia
continues to illegally occupy 20% of Azerbaijan's internationally
recognised territory, in violation of multiple UN Security Council
resolutions and contrary to the international peace plan. Despite
having both the capability and the motivation to persuade Armenia to
withdraw its troops, Washington has not done so and virtually left
peace negotiations to others.
Azerbaijan's sense of neglect was underscored when the State
Department issued a condemnation of last week's presidential vote. The
State Department is entitled to its own opinion, of course. But that
statement, which relied heavily on a single negative report by a small
group of election monitors from the Organisation for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), didn't acknowledge that some 1,300
other international monitors from 50 countries praised the election
process. Nor did it acknowledge that the OSCE mission was itself
divided on the issue: Michel Voisin, special coordinator of the
observation team, said that the election was "free, transparent and
fair" and "improvement compared to previous elections," while the
chief of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's team Doris Barnett from
Germany said that the vote was "well-prepared and, in many respects,
almost no different to elections in Germany."
Also, an exit poll of voters conducted by a renowned U.S.-based
pollster Arthur J. Finkelstein and Associates, Nixon's and Reagan's
former pollster, predicted a result almost identical to the official
tally.
Explaining President Aliyev's election-day sweep is simple: unlike the
opposition, which is unpopular and disorganized, Ilham Aliyev is a
proven leader and the most popular politician in the country. Under
his presidency, Azerbaijan has become an island of stability and
prosperity in a very difficult region. During Aliyev's tenure, average
incomes rose more than fivefold, per-capita GDP leapt from $850 to
$10,500; and Azerbaijan's poverty rate dropped from 49% to 6.5%.
Supported by the prudent management of the country's energy wealth,
Azerbaijan is today the economic powerhouse of the Caucasus, and its
capital Baku has been transformed into a dynamic and glamorous
metropolis. Politically, Azerbaijan has become a rising power in the
region, with a seat on the UN Security Council and growing global
links. It remains a stalwart ally in the fight against terrorism and
provides a vital transportation route for U.S. and other NATO forces
in Afghanistan.
So in light of Azerbaijan's strategic importance, its contributions to
U.S. national interests and, most crucially, the overwhelming evidence
of a free and transparently conducted election, it was strange - and
disappointing - to hear such a biased and negative statement from the
U.S. administration.
Many in Azerbaijan already feel neglected by America's lack of
engagement in our region. Washington should take time to ponder
whether it is in U.S.'s best interests to alienate Azerbaijan - a
staunch ally and friend in a critical region - or instead help it
towards even greater democracy and stronger independence.
Nasimi Aghayev is Azerbaijan's Consul General to the Western United States
SOURCE Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles
http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/173405454/azerbaijan-s-elections-an-opportunity-for-a-deeper-partnership
From: A. Papazian
Oct 27 2013
Azerbaijan's Elections: An Opportunity for a Deeper Partnership
PR Newswire
This article is released by Nasimi Aghayev, Consul General of
Azerbaijan in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On October 9,
Azerbaijan staged its 6th presidential election since its independence
from the Soviet Union 22 years ago. The outcome was of little
surprise: incumbent Ilham Aliyev was re-elected with an impressive
margin.
The reaction of many international observers, including those from the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and European
Parliament, was quite positive. "Overall around Election Day we have
observed a free, fair and transparent electoral process," the
Parliamentary Assembly delegation reported. It was also an observation
echoed by American monitors, such as Former Democratic Congressman
Michael McMahon, who wryly observed that "there were much shorter
lines than in America, and no hanging chads" at the polling places he
visited in Azerbaijan.
Twenty-two years ago, the new states that emerged from the ashes of
the Soviet Union, were seeking a new direction as they set about
creating truly representative government after seven decades under the
totalitarian communist regime. For its part, Azerbaijan opted for a
close relationship with the United States, even though the geopolitics
of a volatile region did not make this an easy choice. To us in
Azerbaijan it was a slam-dunk decision, however, and my country has
never wavered, offering immediate, unconditional assistance following
the 9/11 tragedy, invaluable help during the war in Afghanistan and
serving as a reliable provider of energy for the European allies of
America.
But despite Azerbaijan's commitment to friendship with the U.S., its
efforts have not always been fully reciprocated. One example has been
the infamous Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which bans any
direct U.S. government aid to Azerbaijan. Passed by Congress after
intensive lobbying by Armenian pressure groups, Section 907 has been
waived every year since 9/11 in recognition of Azerbaijan's support
against terrorism - but its very existence risks undermining
Azerbaijan's faith in the United States.
In 2010, two Senate Democrats, members of the Armenian caucus, blocked
President Obama's nomination of Matthew Bryza as America's ambassador
to Azerbaijan. The result was the loss of a tremendously gifted
diplomat who had more than 20 years' experience in Moscow and former
Soviet Union countries.
Most importantly, there has been a lack of sufficient engagement from
the U.S. government on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Armenia
continues to illegally occupy 20% of Azerbaijan's internationally
recognised territory, in violation of multiple UN Security Council
resolutions and contrary to the international peace plan. Despite
having both the capability and the motivation to persuade Armenia to
withdraw its troops, Washington has not done so and virtually left
peace negotiations to others.
Azerbaijan's sense of neglect was underscored when the State
Department issued a condemnation of last week's presidential vote. The
State Department is entitled to its own opinion, of course. But that
statement, which relied heavily on a single negative report by a small
group of election monitors from the Organisation for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), didn't acknowledge that some 1,300
other international monitors from 50 countries praised the election
process. Nor did it acknowledge that the OSCE mission was itself
divided on the issue: Michel Voisin, special coordinator of the
observation team, said that the election was "free, transparent and
fair" and "improvement compared to previous elections," while the
chief of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's team Doris Barnett from
Germany said that the vote was "well-prepared and, in many respects,
almost no different to elections in Germany."
Also, an exit poll of voters conducted by a renowned U.S.-based
pollster Arthur J. Finkelstein and Associates, Nixon's and Reagan's
former pollster, predicted a result almost identical to the official
tally.
Explaining President Aliyev's election-day sweep is simple: unlike the
opposition, which is unpopular and disorganized, Ilham Aliyev is a
proven leader and the most popular politician in the country. Under
his presidency, Azerbaijan has become an island of stability and
prosperity in a very difficult region. During Aliyev's tenure, average
incomes rose more than fivefold, per-capita GDP leapt from $850 to
$10,500; and Azerbaijan's poverty rate dropped from 49% to 6.5%.
Supported by the prudent management of the country's energy wealth,
Azerbaijan is today the economic powerhouse of the Caucasus, and its
capital Baku has been transformed into a dynamic and glamorous
metropolis. Politically, Azerbaijan has become a rising power in the
region, with a seat on the UN Security Council and growing global
links. It remains a stalwart ally in the fight against terrorism and
provides a vital transportation route for U.S. and other NATO forces
in Afghanistan.
So in light of Azerbaijan's strategic importance, its contributions to
U.S. national interests and, most crucially, the overwhelming evidence
of a free and transparently conducted election, it was strange - and
disappointing - to hear such a biased and negative statement from the
U.S. administration.
Many in Azerbaijan already feel neglected by America's lack of
engagement in our region. Washington should take time to ponder
whether it is in U.S.'s best interests to alienate Azerbaijan - a
staunch ally and friend in a critical region - or instead help it
towards even greater democracy and stronger independence.
Nasimi Aghayev is Azerbaijan's Consul General to the Western United States
SOURCE Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles
http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/173405454/azerbaijan-s-elections-an-opportunity-for-a-deeper-partnership
From: A. Papazian