‘I am not an oligarch’, says customs chief

Azer News
19 May 05

Customs chief Kamaladdin Heydarov has dismissed a recent controversial
report published by Hesabat (Report) journal owned by ANS group of
companies that rated him as the wealthiest person among 30 other
well-to-do people in Azerbaijan. Heydarov said that a practice of
determining wealthiest people exists around the world, but it is
based on the declaration of income.

“No one has asked to provide such a declaration, therefore, calling
me an oligarch is nothing but a provocation.”

The customs committee chairman also refuted reports suggesting that
he is at odds with Economic Development Minister Farhad Aliyev.

“I am not in a confrontation with Farhad Aliyev. Such reports are
falsehoods made up by opposition newspapers.”

Heydarov told a press conference on Friday that media opposed to the
authorities deliberately publish ‘vile lies about his arch-foe rivalry’
with the Minister. “Me and the Minister do not take such publications
seriously and simply laugh at them.”

Touching upon some reports that he had allegedly beat up Health
Minister Ali Insanov in his own office, Heydarov said ironically:
“Just compare the physical shape of mine and that of Insanov.”

Heydarov continued that publication of such reports is not accidental
on the eve of the parliamentary elections.

“Always behind the scenes, these newspapers become more active only
on the eve of elections.”

The customs committee chairman expressed his confidence that such
publications are sponsored from abroad. The latter are trying to
split in the ruling elite and sully its public image, said Heydarov,
calling on those publishing such reports to give up slander and adhere
to a common national position.

Commenting on the recent survey by an international public research
center that attributed Azerbaijan to countries with under-developed
economy due to monopoly on certain imported products, the committee
chairman said: “We do not know who conducts these polls. No goods are
banned in Azerbaijan based on selection. These reports are nothing
but intrigues by pro-Armenian people who claim that we pose obstacles
to drawing businesspeople and investments to the country.”