Azeri president says no risk of “velvet revolution” in country

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
12 Mar 05

Baku, 12 March: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said there is
no danger of a “velvet revolution” in his country.

“Revolutions occur where there is a gap and mistrust between the
authorities and people. The situation in Azerbaijan is different,”
Aliyev told journalists on Saturday [12 March].

He cited public opinion polls conducted by independent, including
foreign, funds as saying that “the rating of the authorities and
president of Azerbaijan is at the highest level”.

“The authorities in Azerbaijan serve the people. All our efforts
are aimed at making the country stronger, enhancing its authority,
resolving the Karabakh conflict, strengthening the army and solving
social problems,” the president said.

“I will try to work in a way that will always give me the support of
the people,” he added.