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Experts: President Aliyev's Reelection In Azerbaijan 'Suitable' For

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  • Experts: President Aliyev's Reelection In Azerbaijan 'Suitable' For

    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
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