AZERBAIJAN’S DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION
By Hafiz Pashayev, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The Washington Times
September 11, 2005 Sunday

In a recent visit to Azerbaijan as National Democratic Institute
chairman, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said, “Election
day is important, but the months leading up to the elections are
also crucial.”

She referred to the parliamentary elections to be held Nov. 6, when the
citizens of Azerbaijan go to the polls to elect their representatives
to Parliament, or Milli Mejlis.

The Bush administration views these elections as a litmus test of the
Azerbaijan government’s commitment to democracy. The U.S. Congress
has weighed in by passing a resolution calling on Azerbaijan “to hold
orderly, peaceful, and free and fair elections in November 2005 in
order to ensure the long-term growth and stability of the country.”

We are the first to recognize that independence, stability and
prosperity depend on successful democratic reform. President
Ilham Aliyev wants an orderly transition, as our last few years
of unprecedented economic growth would be jeopardized by political
instability. Toward this end and to conduct elections according to
international standards, the president issued an Executive Order
outlining steps to be taken:

(1) Allowing all political parties to organize rallies free from
violence and intimidation.

(2) Welcoming domestic and international election observers. (3)
Providing access to media, thus ensuring fair coverage.

(4) And ensuring central and regional authorities create the necessary
conditions for exit polls.

Among many provisions of the Order already carried out are those that
concern participation in the political arena by opposition parties.

There has been dialogue between ruling and opposition parties, all
opposition parties may freely conduct rallies and demonstrations and,
thus far, all opposition activists – including those who called for
overthrow of the government in October 2003 – have been allowed to
become candidates if they wish. During his visit to Azerbaijan at
the end of August, Sen. Richard Lugar, Indiana Republican, said:
“The opposition leaders underlined that the registration process of
the MP candidates went well, which is a step forward compared to
the previous elections.” President Aliyev went further by warning
all regional election officials not to interfere in the old Soviet
fashion, when ballot-stuffing was common.

President Aliyev’s insistence on free and fair elections in November
is based on the idea Azerbaijan’s secular government can co-exist
with its Muslim traditions.

Our vision is premised on the belief democratic pluralism will ensure
a peaceful outlet for dissent, eliminating the need for violent
alternatives. Citizens of all ethnicities and political persuasions
are free to advocate their positions peacefully.

Today, Azerbaijan is a vibrant, independent state. We have faced many
challenges in our young country’s life: preserving our independence
in a tough neighborhood; making the transition from a shattered to a
market economy; building government institutions and an independent
judiciary; finding a peaceful solution to our conflict with Armenia;
and developing and delivering our natural resources to world markets.

Throughout these difficult years, the United States has been a friend
and ally of Azerbaijan. Our strategic partnership has blossomed since
the attacks on America on September 11, 2001. Immediately after,
the late President Heydar Aliyev visited the U.S. Embassy in Baku not
only to express his condolences but to offer his full support. Today,
we stand side-by-side in the global war on terrorism. Our troops
proudly serve in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Azerbaijan’s location between Russia, Iran and Turkey, coupled with
our desire to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic community, requires
that we conduct a balanced foreign policy fostering development of
democratic institutions and a strong economy. Azerbaijan has come this
far without tangible foreign aid and expects to continue democratic
and economic development, primarily through its own resources.

According to a recent survey by the International Republican Institute
sponsored by USAID, an overwhelming majority of Azerbaijanis want
economic and social development to be their government’s priority
concerns.

This November, the people of Azerbaijan will elect a Parliament I
believe will accelerate our transition toward democratic pluralism to
match the country’s unprecedented economic growth. Mr. Lugar told the
press in Baku: “I sense in Azerbaijan a yearning for building strong
democratic institutions.”

Hafiz Pashayev is Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the United States.