AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 12 2005

INTERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV TO JOURNALISTS
AFTER THE CEREMONY DEVOTED TO 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF CREATION OF
INTERNAL TROOPS OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
[March 12, 2005, 22:22:00]

Q.: Mr. President, the first question is connected to the incident
marked by you. It has caused a loud resonance in the society. Whether
there will be put an end to this investigation, whether the
management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has played this or
that role in the occident and what destiny of the management of the
Ministry of Internal Affairs will be after that incidents?

A.: Last incident, which has happened on February 10, certainly, has
very much disturbed all of us, as it was not the first case.
Certainly, have been given strict instructions on serious
investigation of the question. Unfortunately, till now the inquiries
connected to similar questions, the carried out search actions
remained ineffectual. Therefore, I have made the decision to assign
the given question to the Ministry of National Security. Though it
does not enter into their direct functions. Investigation and all
action had strictly confidential character, and this big criminal
group has been exposed. It has been informed. You, probably, saw and
read. Now, there is an investigation. I would not like for to
outstrip for it. All will be found out. The fact of abduction of 9
person and 3 murders is already opened. These events have caused very
loud resonance in Azerbaijan, in the society, and long years remained
unrevealed. All of us were concerned as our main task consists in
that people lived easy. I know that after these events in the society
there was a certain concern. Some people strongly worried, and it is
natural. All have family, children, and wives. I think, that in the
modern history of Azerbaijan this operation is the most significant
and is our success. The Azerbaijan state has shown the force, this
criminal group has been neutralized and done responsible.

In the statement I have noted, that it is entrusted to Minister of
Internal Affairs that the ministry has carried out internal
investigation. Simultaneously, investigation is carried out by both
Office of Public Prosecutor, and by each person involved in the
crime, will be done responsible. The point is as about criminal, and
the administrative responsibility. Everyone who is involved in this
crime will be done responsible; other measures will be accepted also.

Q.: Mr. President, you have noted, that the some people try to take
advantage from the incident and to undermine the Ministry of Internal
Affairs. What measures will be accepted that it has not received
wider scope? In fact, this campaign can be directed on blacking,
declination of surnames of the management of the Ministry of Internal
Affairs.

A.: For this reason I have told, that we should not admit this
campaign. Certainly, it is very sad fact and as I have told, a big
stain, the Ministry of Internal Affairs should wash off this stain
and to take serious corrective measures. This person worked in the
given organization more than 10 years, how could it happen, what
employees working with him have not replaced all it? How could it
happen, what the criminal group made these acts within 10 years? Why?
Because, probably, it was sure that these crimes will stay
unrevealed. Probably, it was sure in the impunity. Therefore,
certainly, the point is on the responsibility, and each person should
realize the responsibility. At the same time, we in any way do not
allow generalization of the given question and carrying out of
campaign against Minister of Internal Affairs.

In the statement I have noted, I want to repeat, that the Ministry of
Internal Affairs has done huge work on protection of social order in
Azerbaijan, in fighting criminality. We cannot deny it, and one case
should not cross out all the done work. All should be on justice, and
I am the supporter of justice. All guilty will be done responsible.

Q.: Mr. President, what will face Ramil Usubov? The media says that
you will send him to resignation.

A.: I do not know, what media has written that. It is my competence,
my business, and I have no such idea. I repeat, that the incident
should not create public excitement. Nobody should use it for the
sake of political campaign.

You know, unfortunately, the cases, which have occurred in
Azerbaijan, some murders, certain dirty forces turn it to campaign on
maintenance of the interests. Pay attention, as far as some political
forces in connection with murder of Elmar Huseynov accomplish immoral
acts. And again should not be admitted any campaign. Keeping Ramil
Usubov on work or his displacement is my competence, and the happened
should not play any role. As a whole, I am pleased with work of Ramil
Usubov. Such events can take place. He does not bear the
responsibility for each employee. Therefore, do not pay attention to
the similar materials published in press.

Q.: Mr. President, there is such opinion, that, as a whole, – in
Georgia the given variant was used, henceforth, activity of the
Ministry of Internal Affairs as useful structure, can appear under
doubt. Whether the variant of association of the Ministry of National
Security and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and creation of uniform
structure is possible?

A.: No, I do not think at all of it. In the past, such practice in
Soviet Union took place, if I am not mistaken, in my opinion, in the
time of Khrushchev – but has not justified. I do not believe, that
this practice can justify itself. It is impossible to unite these two
ministries. As a whole, they have various functions. On the other
hand, messages of the various ministries represent great value and
for my work. That is I cannot receive the information only from one
source. Both of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministries
of National Security has its functions, and there cannot be merger of
these two ministries.

Q.: Mr. President, the government is going to undertake what new
steps in connection with obligations of Azerbaijan to the Council of
Europe?

A.: Obligations are carried out. As you know, in this direction,
great work has been done, and all obligations should be fulfilled. We
have accepted the obligation to perform it. But each obligation has
the term, time. They are in due time carried out. Somewhere, there is
a certain delay. That has objective reasons.

As you know, there is an obligation connected to creation of public
TV. It is created, and now the material questions are solved. Each
obligation should be fulfilled. Entering the Council of Europe,
Azerbaijan has accepted these obligations and will observe them.

Q.: Mr. President, yesterday in Parliament such ideas have sounded,
that behind many offensive places in Azerbaijan stand the chiefs of
police. You have told you gave instruction to Minister of Internal
Affairs. Whether there was an instruction on carrying out in
structure of the ministry of serious rearrangements, and whether
there is a version about this or that connection happened with murder
of Elmar Huseynov?

A.: You know, you say that the press writes so. Now, the Parliament.
Remember, both in press, and in the Parliament the opposition lifts
this question. Yesterday, at session of parliament the representative
of opposition has lifted this question. And you say that it was
lifted by parliament. Or the oppositional press, using it, writes the
materials, and you say that the press writes. It is not same. As a
whole, I repeat, that it is impossible to use such questions in
political ends.

Indecent places are contained with opposition. The opposition visits
these places and with a shame leaves there from. Recent events have
confirmed it. Therefore, it is not necessary to generalize the
question. Lacks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and of all other
law enforcement bodies are available. Nobody denies it, and we know
it. It is necessary to combat these lacks. But in normal conditions
and in the normal order. I repeat, that I cannot admit any campaign.

The opposition has already lost all opportunities. For a long time
has lost trust of people. Barbarous actions after October elections
have reduced it. The have no any means for aggravation of situation.
There is one that in Azerbaijan there was any chaos, anarchy, any
unpleasant events, and they could criticize or accuse authority. And
it is impossible. Murder of Elmar Huseynov has once again shown their
immoral acts. Their unworthy statements have not caused in the
society any resonance. On the contrary, the uncooperative attitude
towards them in the society has amplified, as they began to speculate
with tragedy of the person, families. About what morals do you speak?

Therefore, I think, that we should not generalize this question.
Lacks are available in each organization, each establishment. The
strict instruction as soon as possible is given to investigate. And
not only on this incident. As a whole, in the Ministry of Internal
Affairs it is necessary to stop the negative facts, to take strict
measures, to make serious personnel rearrangements. Guilty employees,
the employees engaged in unworthy affairs, should be exposed and done
responsible.

As if to connection happened with murder of Elmar Huseynov, I can
tell nothing about it. While preliminary investigation has not
revealed any links. But investigation continues and in the near
future we shall see.

Q.: Mr. President how you regard infringement of the ceasefire
regime? Whether it can, as a whole, be reflected in process of
negotiations?

A.: I negatively estimate infringement of the ceasefire regime. You
will not receive another answer. Anyway, violation of ceasefire is
not the positive fact. In fact, as you know, the position of
Azerbaijan now became much stronger and if to compare, it is possible
to be convinced that we have achieved big successes in the cause of
settlement of the conflict. As diplomatic, political, and other
successes. Therefore, it is not favorable. It is provocation of the
Armenians. Probably, try to carry out in such way any purposes. We
are ready to this if they will disturb ceasefire, will go over to the
offensive, we shall give due repulse.

Q.: Mr. President, you undertake certain steps in connection with
creation of transparency in oil-and-gas, power sector. Gas has risen
in price. But in the country, there was a serious problem. That is
people do not have any maintenance, however, they are obliged to pay.
In this sphere, there are negative facts. In this connection,
managements of “Azerigas~T, “AZreenergy”, “Azersu” result the certain
examples, that supposedly means are not allocated, therefore, we
cannot make it. Whether entering by you into this business of any
innovations, changes are expected?

A.: First, means for them are allocated. It is allocated 30 billion
manat that due to these means to establish counters. Second, they
have also means. As you know, in connection with rise in prices will
grow also their incomes. It is their duty. As you know, “Azerigas”
receives at the State Oil Company free-of-charge gas, does not pay
for it. The oil Company receives gas from abroad and free-of-charge
transfers it to “Azerigas”. All this work should be done due to
internal opportunities of “Azergas”. I repeat, that Azerigas has
received 30 billion manat. Certainly, counters should be shortly
established, as people should know, for what they pay. Unfortunately,
we and in the past did not have counters. In spite of the fact that
they were in other republics of Soviet Union, in Russia, counters
everywhere have been established. In Azerbaijan, for some reason and
in the past this question has remained unresolved. Now, it is
necessary for us to correct position. This requires large means.
Nevertheless, I think, that solvent people should get counters. In
apartments of insolvent people, which do not have money, certainly,
counters will be established by state. But as it can be, that the man
of means who, for example, has bought in new buildings an apartment
for 100 thousand dollars, cannot get the counter. Let buy and
establish.

Q.: Mr. President, according to the Armenian sources, in the near
future is expected the next meeting of Presidents. Whether are
specified, as a whole, a place and date of this meeting?

A.: Offers on carrying out of the meeting are available. I do not
object, but on condition that the meeting will be devoted to the
certain theme. We already repeatedly met. It is possible to tell, all
questions have been discussed, and the positions are stated. In our
position, there cannot be any changes. On what compromise we can go,
what we have taken from them to return? Therefore, about mutual
compromises cannot be and speeches. It from the very beginning was
only the thesis, that supposedly the conflict should be settled on
the basis of mutual compromises. Someone has put forward it, and, as
they say, this thesis lived some time. I think, that we have nothing
to go on the compromise. The unique step is possible – I have not
named the compromise, – safety of living in Nagorno Karabakh of the
Armenians and Azerbaijanis who there will come back. On this, we, as
they say, can work, and here there are themes for negotiations. Any
other compromises are not present.

As to the meeting, probably, the meetings of Ministers of Foreign
Affairs should create ground for this purpose. If on these
negotiations, if Armenia will hold constructive position and, at
last, will understand, that the given question can find its solution
only on the basis of norms of international law, and the meeting of
Ministers of Foreign Affairs will be fruitful, in this case, possible
will be the meeting of Presidents.

Q.: Mr. President, in the US Congress, under the initiative of
congressmen in the center of attention will be the project about
promotion of democracy. It regard as process of distribution of
“velvet” revolutions, in particular, in the former Soviet republics.
Some political scientists assert, that the next revolution will take
place in Azerbaijan. Whether expects, as a whole, the President of
Azerbaijan such danger?

A.: You expect such danger?

Q.: I cannot answer.

A: You always refer to any political scientists. No, I do not expect
such danger. Azerbaijan cannot face such threat. Revolutions occur
where between the people and the authority exists a precipice,
mistrust when the authority is not supported. In Azerbaijan, the
situation completely is other. Pay attention to the interrogations
which have been carried out by opposition or any independent, if so,
it is possible to tell, foreign funds. Look at the rating of
authority, including the President. He is at the highest level. I
even can tell, that after presidential elections he has reached,
probably, the highest level. That is, I say it not to praise myself.
It is the truth. If you have not asked, I would not begin to speak
about this reality. Probably, to speak about it somehow it is not so
good, but it is true. The authority of Azerbaijan serves people. All
work done by us pursues one purpose: That our country became even
stronger, that rose the authority of Azerbaijan, that the conflict
with Armenia has been settled in our favor. And that we became even
stronger, and have strengthened our army, and have solved social
questions. In such conditions, revolutions, usually, do not occur.
Revolutions occur where the economic situation worsens, the social
status worsens, either the authority undertakes those or other steps,
which are negatively perceived by people. In Azerbaijan, anything
such is not present and will not be. I shall try and to work
henceforth so that people always supported me. Thanks.