FM CONFIDENT OF FAIR ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 17 2005

Foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov visiting the United States has
expressed confidence that the parliamentary elections due in Azerbaijan
this November will be free.

Mammadyarov said remarkable work has been done to conduct free
elections in the country, the Associated Press news agency reported.

The minister ruled out the repetition of national movements that
swept Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan in Azerbaijan, saying that the
government and President are interested in holding a fair poll.

Mammadyarov said that the parliament vote will be much more free than
the previous elections, as considerable work has been carried out to
ensure it meets international standards.

With regard to unrest during the election process, the minister said
both the demonstrators and law enforcement should refrain from violent
actions. “Protesters and police should not beat each other” he said.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh,
Mammadyarov said it is unlikely to be settled in the near future. “I
wish I could say that we are close to resolving the conflict. But
there are many problems,” he added.