Domestic

Home page

Domestic

Ali Ahmadov: â€œAli Karimli backs up pro-Armenian policyâ€ - INTERVIEW

Ali Ahmadov: â€œAli Karimli backs up pro-Armenian policyâ€ - <font color=red>INTERVIEW</font>

08 April 2010 10:52 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Elnur Mammadli â€“ APA. APAâ€™s interview with deputy chairman, executive secretary of New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Ali Ahmadov

- Azerbaijanâ€™s accepting the updated version of the Madrid principles on the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict was not met unambiguously by the society. How do you assess double approach to the decision?

- In general, the negotiations on the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict is of confidential character. Of course, it shows itself in the discussion of the issues emerged in the process of negotiations. In this respect, it would not be right to say what proposals have been concretely put on the table. This is the subject of discussion and these discussions are confidential, it is inadmissible to go into details. But logical philosophy of Azerbaijanâ€™s participation in the process of negotiations as a whole is completely clear. President Ilham Aliyev has openly stated that in any case the process of negotiations focus on the complete release of the occupied Azerbaijani territories and return of the IDPs to their native lands. While Armenian side demonstrated severe approach to the updated Madrid principles, Azerbaijan stated that these principles may be accepted as a basis for the following stage of the negotiations. The points standing in the root of the updated Madrid principles allow Azerbaijan to demonstrate its just position thoroughly.

- But the opposition protests against Azerbaijanâ€™s accepting the Madrid principles. Are there any grounds?

- For a long time we have been observing a reality in the behavior of Azerbaijanâ€™s opposition. Whatever the authorities do the opposition protests against it without realizing its essence. I suppose, oppositionâ€™s criticizing the Madrid principles is based on the principle accepted by the opposition itself. If the Azerbaijani authorities express positive opinion on these principles, the opposition protests against it. I do not know whether the opposition has enough arguments to express these protests or not. As I have stated, the negotiations are confidential and I do not believe that there is detailed information about the negotiations. If the persons attending the process of negotiations from Azerbaijani side state that the new principles reflect Azerbaijanâ€™s position, the opposition has no ground to protest against it.

- The Karabakh issue is a national problem. Can the authorities discuss this issue together with all political forces and opposition, inform them about the details of the negotiations, essence of the issue?

- I think it should be so. It is not right to stand in the position of authorities or opposition in the national issues. We have demonstrated our position concerning it several times. Political struggle should not be realized on the national issues. But unfortunately, it should be noted that though the opposition states that it ready to demonstrate unique position concerning the national issues, when it comes to the concrete activity we observe differences between these statements and their behavior. We are still observing it. The structure and character of the process of negotiations on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is known. It has been stated several times that discussions will be held with all forces when the two sides reach agreement in the negotiations. Under the present circumstances, as the sides are still holding discussions, the discussions inside the country may harm the process. When there is a common opinion, both sides will consult with their people and final decision will be passed basing on the peopleâ€™s will. It is meaningless to hold discussions, unless the sides reached complete agreement.

- YAP for many times criticized the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group. Does these statements have an impact on the co-chairsâ€™ activity?

- These statements are not only the conclusion made by our party, but it was formed in the whole society. YAP expresses the opinion of the Azerbaijani people to the co-chairs. In fact, the public statements forced the OSCE Minsk Group to intensify its activity. It is impossible to have a positive idea about the Minsk Group, if is couldnâ€™t solve the conflict during 18 years of its activity. This group has many shortcomings. For example they didnâ€™t express their opinion about the reasons and sources of this conflict when they took the mediatory mission. If there is an aggression, there are aggressors as well. They must announce the name of aggressors. The Minsk Group tackles its mission not announcing the name of aggressors. I donâ€™t suppose that our criticism is a serious and effective mean to change their activity, but I consider that it is one of the means.

- How is YAP preparing to the upcoming parliamentary elections?

- There will be a number of novelties in the YAP election campaign. But it is early to speak about that. We are analyzing the elections, working on the election program and I suppose that we can elaborate our election concept as a result of these analyses because it is impossible to join the elections without analyzing the situation and resources of the party. Only those who spontaneously join the elections can do that. We never prepare unnecessary statements due to the elections.

- When you will determine the candidates?

- There is a plenty of time until the elections and it will be incorrect tactics to determine candidates right now. There are some newspaper reports about the rushes around the determination of YAP candidates. Such reports are sometimes made purposefully. But in fact, YAP is working on the issues I mentioned before. In fact, the analyses will lead to the determination of our individual concept related. YAP leadership is satisfied with the activity of our parliament corps.

- Some YAP members nominated themselves out of the partyâ€™s list in the previous elections. What measures will be taken if it is recurs?

- I consider that the number of self-nominated YAP candidates will be significantly reduced in the parliamentary elections in 2010. The technology we implemented during the parliamentary elections in 2005 and municipal elections in 2009 make it deep clear for the party members that every YAP member follows the goal to assist the partyâ€™s election campaign and to contribute to its victory. If there is such position, self-nominated candidates and those who try to tackle the partyâ€™s election campaign will be reduced.

- The opposition parties make different proposals to jointly participate in the elections. What do you think, can the opposition parties succeed if they united their forces?

- YAP has 500 000 members. All of them are voters and active people. Every of them can encourage 2-3 people to come to vote for the position they support. In this respect, even if the opposition unites its forces â€“ it is inadmissible idea â€“ it can not be a rival to YAP. There is a great difference in the relation of forces and even if the opposition parties support the same position it will not crate any threat for YAP. This is a political reality of Azerbaijan and the opposition can not change this reality. The opposition failed to unite its forces in the past 15 years. It has no potential of unity. They also understand that they can not wrestle with YAP. The opposition has a syndrome of non-unity. Their participation in the elections doesnâ€™t concern us because we know our opportunities and forces.

- Opposition also decided to begin mass actions. How do you
assess it?

- Neither policy, nor elections consist of rallies and pickets. One of the truths which Azerbaijan opposition canâ€™t understand is that, they canâ€™t differ political struggle from street one. People donâ€™t vote in the streets during elections. Organizing rallies in the place where there are many people is illogical. It means sick intention. The main purpose here is to commit sabotage and make tension among the society. Another purpose is making an illusion that they have a lot of supporters. YAP has organized an action during presidential elections in Bayil stadium in 2008. Our supporters participate at actions unrelated with the place. But opposition says that the place is far, supporters canâ€™t go there. Nevertheless, 90 percent of the people participated in the actions held in front of the former â€œGalabaâ€ cinema in 2003 came from regions.

- How do you evaluate the publication of AXCP leader Ali Karimliâ€™s article in â€œWashington Postâ€ newspaper?

- There are 2 tragic ends for politician. One of them is to lose supporters. And as a result of it you try to find supporters outside the country. Unfortunately, these two factors show itself in Azerbaijani opposition. Opposition loses its supporters inside the country and selects the worst way for compensation, try to find supporters abroad. There is another inclination too. Some opposition representatives get into touch with foreign forces who try to act against Azerbaijan. I think you remember Ruslan Bashirli- supporter of Ali Karimli, he has conduct discussions on cooperation with Armenia and tried to receive finance support during parliamentary elections in 2005. Soon there will be new elections. And forgotten Ali Karimli, from obscurity, delivers speech at Washington Post newspaper. It happens when there is an open pressure on both Azerbaijan and Turkey for the help towards Armenia. And Ali Karimli becomes a participant of this campaign. His interview is full with groundless pretensions and intentions. Of course one can assess it as a part of pressures on Azerbaijan. Why this article havenâ€™t published earlier. I think that each citizen should have national fanaticism. Ali Karimli will not be an American president. What dividend will he gain from that article? It has one meaning - to support policy which is realized for the help to Armenians. If he understands opposition as against national interests of Azerbaijan and join foreign pressures, then Azerbaijani citizens should draw a conclusion.