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Lala Shovkat: â€œI wouldnâ€™t like to assure people that we will win parliamentary electionsâ€ â€“ INTERVIEW

Lala Shovkat: â€œI wouldnâ€™t like to assure people that we will win parliamentary electionsâ€ â€“ <font color=red>INTERVIEW </font>

15 January 2010 15:15 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Elnur Mammadli â€“ APA. Leader of National Unity Movement Lala Shovkatâ€™s interview to APA

- 2010 is a year of parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. Does the opposition begin preparations for the elections?

The year started newly. We have to review recent municipal elections that to say something about the parliamentary elections. The municipal elections were some trainings for the government before the parliamentary elections, but the opposition was not provided with necessary conditions to participate in the elections. Therefore the opposition should consolidate its forces to participate in the parliamentary elections as a united power. Otherwise the situation we observed during the municipal elections will be repeated in the parliamentary elections too.

- How will the opposition participate in the parliamentary elections? Do you discuss this issue?

All opposition should unite while democratic forces are facing with this hard situation. Our intention can be realized only after the ending discrimination between the opposition parties. The parties should leave their ambitions on own scales. If the opposition can unite its forces, it can achieve real positive result. I always support the unity. I would like that the opposition understands seriousness of the situation, leaves all its ambitions and joins the elections as the united forces. Only in this case we can achieve any result. I donâ€™t intend to give lying promises because everything depends on the societyâ€™s activeness. The entire nation should take an active part in this process. Experience of recent years shows that the voters are not active in this process. If the opposition goes to the elections in several blocs again, there is no hope for success. We can not achieve any change in the parliamentary elections. We are working within the Azadlig bloc, which undoubtedly will participate in the parliamentary elections if even there is no unity.

- Azadlig bloc and Musavat party were proposed to establish their union. Does the bloc discuss this issue?

It can not be considered that we conducted wide discussions within the bloc, but I emphasize again that I support the idea that it has to be a bloc of all democratic forces. I advocate for the unity. Existence of several blocs will confuse the society. I think that the opposition should attend the elections as the united front. All democratic forces should unite their efforts.

- What is the result of discussions conducted within the bloc?

- The discussions have not been held yet. Therefore, it cannot have any results.

- A unity was established in the previous parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and some success was obtained. How do you assess this proposal?

-I do not think that there was any success in the elections in 2005. Even if there was a success, everybody knows how the opposition is represented in the parliament now. Of course, the people have discontent with respect to the authorities. In this situation the opposition should be together. We can win, but we can not confirm it. This confirmation will depend on the activeness of the public. I do not want to give false hopes to the people that we will win in the parliamentary elections. I have never told a lie, and do not want to do it now. Everything will depend on us. Each of us. This is a very important issue.

- After this proposal was made, Musavat Party said they could establish an alliance only with Azerbaijan Popular Front Party. They said they did not intend to establish a unity with the other parties of the bloc. What can you say about Musavatâ€™s position?

- All these are media reports. Something written, then it is refuted. Therefore I can speak only about our discussions. Such discussions have not been held.

- You offer to establish a common unity of the opposition. What parties do you mean?

- All really democratic forces should be gathered.

- Is Umid Party here?

- Why not? Umid Party was in the movement during the referendum and we acted together inside the movement. I would not like to concentrate this issue on Umid Party, but I think all democratic forces should unite in one center.

- The year of elections has started. Is there a need to start discussions? Do you think the opposition should accelerate the discussions?

-It does not matter when the discussions will begin. There were times when we started early discussions, but they failed after 3-4 months. Sometimes we held discussions for three days and achieved something. So, it does not depend on time. It depends on intention. The result requires sincerity. We have recently observed that after long-lasting discussions every party goes its way. Sometimes parties chose separate way despite their signatures.