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Arif Hajili: Isa Gambar will never leave Musavat Party

11 August 2009 14:21 (UTC +04:00)

Head of Central Executive Board of Musavat Party Arif Hajili interviewed by APA

-Though the congress of Musavat Party will be held after a year, replacement of the partyâ€™s chairman is being discussed. What is its aim?

-The discussion of this issue began on the initiative of media. Neither congress nor chairmanship is being discussed at present. Anyway, there are positive moments in it. It shows that the society is concerned over the future of Musavat Party.

- Will Isa Gambarâ€™s leaving his post cast shadow on the future of Musavat Party?

-I think Isa Gambar will never leave Musavat, the question is his leaving the post of chairman. This is the requirement of the partyâ€™s statute. Replacement of Isa Gambar does not mean that he will not participate in the determination of the partyâ€™s policy and its management. Thatâ€™s why, Isa Gambarâ€™s leaving his post should not be assessed as his leaving the partyâ€™s policy.

-Who will say the final word in the party, if Isa Gambar participates in the management and a new chairman is elected?

-Frankly speaking, even now the final word in the party does not belong to anyone. Musavat is a democratic organization, the elective bodies say the final word. The elective bodies determined the partyâ€™s common policy, deal with the common management system and other important issues. Of course, Isa Gambarâ€™s influence, political experience allow him to play an important role in the adoption of decisions. But this is not connected with Isa Gambarâ€™s chairmanship.

-What will Isa Gambarâ€™s status be after he leaves chairmanship?

-Of course, Isa Gambar has the right to nominate for all elective bodies and I think the majority of the party members will elect him, if he puts forward his candidacy. It is in his competence whether to put forward his candidacy to these bodies or not.

-Some parties found the post of leader and elect the former chairman to this post. Are you going to continue this tradition?

-I think there are more successful ways for this. It is possible to be the leader of a party or union of political forces without any official post. For example, Russian President Boris Yeltsin was not the member of any party. But a number of political forces accepted him as a leader. He did not hold a special post of a leader.

-How do you assess the proposals on Isa Gambarâ€™s remaining chairman of the party?

-Certainly, it is in the competence of the party members and congress to adopt and amend the statute. But though there are proposals to amend this item, being aware of Isa Gambarâ€™s position and views of the persons represented in the partyâ€™s structures I can say that no amendment will be made.

-What about the articles published in Yeni Musavat newspaper about it?

-The related article was first published in Yeni Umid newspaper. Yeni Musavat, as a newspaper expressing its position on political issues most, actively participates in this issue. This theme is interesting for media. In the atmosphere of political apathy, it has become one of the main topics of media.

-Do you agree to the views â€œThere is no second person in Musavat Partyâ€?

-There are talented politicians in the party and even in the shade of such a serious politician as Isa Gambar, there are enough politicians in the party who can influence the ongoing political processes in Azerbaijan. I think there are talented persons in Musavat who deserve to be chairman. As regards the solution of these issues by establishing various coalitions, I think themes should also be discussed. There are proposals in media on unification of Musavat and Azerbaijan Popular Front Party and election of new chairman after the unification.

Musavat has always offered unification of political parties especially for the future development of the society, democratic values. But artificial transfer to Musavatâ€™s leadership is not in line with the party statute. If there is such a unification, Isa Gambar is accepted as leader, the leader and chairman of the united political forces can be elected at the congress of the united political forces. I consider that Musavat Partyâ€™s achievements will not create any problem in this issue.

-If Ali Karimli accepts Isa Gambarâ€™s leadership, will you accept Ali Karimliâ€™s chairmanship?

- It does not only depend on Arif Hajiliâ€™s will. All these issues should be solved in line with procedures and statute. According to the present statute, it is in the competence of the congress to elect the chairman of Musavat. If all political forces of Azerbaijan unite, I can give up my ambitions and support Ali Karimli or a person from any united force.

-Are such unifications real at present?

-These issues are being discussed for a long time. Especially the unification of Musavat and Azerbaijan Popular Front Party is discussed. I think the unification will be possible, if all politicians can give up their ambitions for the sake of democracy and Azerbaijanâ€™s interests.