THE EU IS BECOMING A NEW FORCE ABLE TO BALANCE THE RUSSIAN AND US PRESSURE: INTERVIEW OF ALI ABASOV

Regnum, Russia
Sept 4 2006

Ali Abasov is doctor of philosophic sciences, head of department
of the Institute of Philosophy and Political-Legal Research of the
National Academy of Science of Azerbaijan (NASA).

REGNUM: Naturally, my first question is about the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. The disclosure of the conflict settlement principles by
the US OSCE MG Co-Chair Matthew Bryza has been followed by a period
of lull. How will this conflict be settled?

I think that the only way to settle the conflict is to integrate the
South Caucasian countries into Europe. I had said that even before the
EU proclaimed its New Neighbors program and, when it did, it became
obvious that if our countries form a common political, economic,
cultural and defense space, they will solve not only this but also all
the other conflicts. As the program will develop, all the three South
Caucasian countries will become candidates for EU membership, and this
will lead to the (full) resolution of the problem of security and the
(partial) resolution of the problem of border crossing. And this will
pave the way for the resolution of ethnic-territorial problems. We
should not forget that in 1920 Karabakh also underwent strong shocks
but 2-3 years later there was already nothing to remind of them.

REGNUM: A few days ago political expert Ilgar Mamedov promulgated
Azerbaijan’s Action Plan under the New Neighborhood policy, which,
unlike the APs of Georgia and Armenia, does not clearly say that
Azerbaijan is going to join the EU. True, the Azeri Foreign Ministry
sweetened the pill by saying that this is just a draft but still it
seems that Euro-integration is being put off…

… In fact, the FM said that the Action Plan is a confidential
document and that the plan Mamedov got in hand was not the actual
plan. I personally have got the English version of the plan but I
would not say that this is the final version and I would rather no
blame anybody for the lack of the Euro-integration point in it. On
the other hand, in Georgia and Armenia the plan has been actively
discussed by the public and the authorities and, as a result, they
have got a voluminous package of public recommendations.

Unfortunately, we did not have such discussions and now have to use
our own judgement to draft relevant recommendations.

REGNUM: Perhaps, some officials are not interested in European
integration? As Euro-integration means enhanced public control over oil
revenues and official expenses, bigger role of local self-governments
and, most importantly, fair elections and certain restrictions on
the authorities…

This is a hard question. In fact, the West does control the inflow
of oil revenues and their spending. Simply, there is no strategic
mentality, realization of how important it is for the country to
become an EU member or, at least, to declare intention to become one.

Heydar Aliyev got our authorities out of the habit to think
strategically as he solved all such problems exclusively on his own.

And now nobody wants to take the responsibility even though
Euro-integration is a reasonable way for Azerbaijan out of the present
grip between Russia and the US. In fact, the EU is becoming a new –
non-conflict – force capable of balancing the pressure of Russia and
the US. EU membership will also help Azerbaijan to solve its economic
problems. Of course, Azerbaijan should realize that nobody will give
it a candy just "for nothing." Unfortunately, we have yet no analytical
centers – either independent or governmental – in Azerbaijan.

REGNUM: Ronald Young, who directed the 1.5 year TACIS program on
state service and state administration reforms in Azerbaijan, says
that even in Uzbekistan, where he worked before, they do not solve
problems alone: they submit them for public discussion and solve them
on the basis of initiatives and proposals received – something Young
did not see in much more democratic Azerbaijan…

In Uzbekistan they still use the old Soviet system. In the Soviet
times, the USSR Constitution was discussed in institutes, factories
and farms, people made proposals and the authors considered some
of them. As regards Azerbaijan, Young does not know that many Azeri
laws, including those concerning elections, have been examined by the
Venice Commission. Of course, Uzbekistan cannot cooperate with the
Commission as actively as Azerbaijan can, but the main point is that
our civil society is weak and we cannot prove to the West that we are
a force that can change the situation. That’s why they prefer working
with the government, who, certainly, has competent lawyers. That is,
the CE and the Venice Commission ignore us because they believe that
it is much easier to agree with the government: indeed, it is much
easier to pressure one person than everybody. We should realize that
this situation will continue until we create health civil society.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress