"RIGHT OF CHOICE": "WE WILL HAVE TO LIBERATE OUR TERRITORIES, RESORTING TO ALL MEANS"
Interviewed by Iskender Guliyev
Democratic Azerbaijan
Sept 26 2006
Accordingly to the member of Milli Mejlis Standing Commission on
Security and Defense, Adil Aliyev, Azerbaijan has right to liberate its
territories within the frames of international standards and UN Charter
– Isn’t it difficult for you to fulfill obligations of elected
representative of the people?
– It isn’t right to restrict oneself to votes of people in order to
be their elected representatives. It is necessary to represent every
voter who votes for you. Representatives of intelligentsia, science
and culture, specialists of different fields and representatives of
senior generation, the unemployed, not sufficiently provided people
are referred to the election district wherefrom I was elected. Every
electorate has problems. First of all, elected representative of people
is obliged to individually approach the problems of every voter. He
should strive to solve them. I’m very pleased when people’s problems
are solved. However, there are moments when I feel unrest.
That is why being representative of people is very responsible and
difficult task.
– Being deputy of Milli Mejlis, what processes going on within society
seem to you more attractive?
– Citizens of every country have problems. If you think that Azerbaijan
has problem of unemployment and the other countries haven’t, then
you are mistaken. This problem is crucial in post-Soviet countries
and in Europe. Maybe the problem of unemployment in CIS countries is
somewhat different from the same one in Azerbaijan. However, the state
program to prevent unemployment shows that Azerbaijan government takes
appropriate measures to solve the problem. Apart from the problem of
unemployment there is another crucial problem which troubles our state
and people – it is Nagorno Garabagh conflict. Over 16 years have passed
since the day of violation of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
during this period 1 mln. people lost their homes having gained the
status of refugees and IDP. Because of occupation and terrorist policy
of Armenia, hundreds of Azerbaijanis were taken prisoner. Despite
the number of resolutions adopted by international organizations,
Armenian aggressors don’t want to leave territories of Azerbaijan.
Nevertheless having over 1 mln. refugees and IPD, Azerbaijan continues
developing its economic potential in the region and using all means
for improvement of living standard of population.
Owing to successful reforms hundreds of new institutions were founded
in the country, thousands of our citizens were provided with work.
Moreover, for the first half year of 2006, GDP increased by 36%, and
stable economic development is observed in all fields of economy. For
example, for the last 6 months, level of industrial production has
increased by 41%. For this period over 3 bn. US dollars have been
invested in Azerbaijani economy, which is key showing of dynamic
economic development of our country.
It is known that at present Azerbaijan is taking leading position in
the region on foreign investments per head. One of the main directions
of economic policy of Azerbaijan apart from complete adherence
to the principles of market economy is solving social problems of
population. In this direction many efforts were made. For the first
6 months of 2006, population incomes have increased by 18%.
Moreover, in comparison with previous months inflation has been
reduced. At present real incomes of population make up 12%, average
salary increased by 20%. It should be underlined that raise of economic
development promotes improvement of welfare of people. For the recent
years important steps are taken not only to prevent unemployment but
to improve provision of pensions of people.
Following decrees of President, in 2006 pension provision will be
increased several times more. It’s known that President repeatedly
declared that soon pensions will be increased. Taking it into account
I would say that in Azerbaijan the work to solve economic and social
problems of citizens and for improvement of living standards of people
is carried out.
– You are member of Standing Commission on Security and Defense. How
do you evaluate your work from the point of view of professionalism?
– During the meetings of Standing Commission on Security and Defense I
make a number of proposals, as I make during the meetings of Milli
Mejlis. Only my voters and people of Azerbaijan can evaluate my
activity in the parliament. Every taken measure or developed law
should serve for the interests of state and nation.
– Today, after a number of actions of person we know, some negative
view is formed relating to Azerbaijani police. What can you propose
to change this view, and what measures must be taken?
– In my speeches I repeatedly touched upon this issue. Azerbaijani
police duly fulfills its obligations, that is why it is wrong to
underestimate the work of police because of some persons who defiled
it. From this point of view I hold that such attitude to police
is not right. Police of our country not only fights with crimes,
policemen actively partook in bloody battles for restoration of
territorial integrity of our country. We are proud of many policemen
who demonstrated heroism. Of course, we should recognize that police
structures have demerits and they must be removed. For example Police
Academy. I expressed my negative view on Police Academy and I think
that there are persons who are not deserving to study their. Police
Academy leadership can’t be blamed for it, as it doesn’t hold exams.
But persons responsible for the given work are holding exams. In turn
they approve those young people whom they think fit. Of course no one
can deny that some people misuse their authorities in this matter. I
believe that as in every field, reforms should be implemented within
the structures of internal affairs and Police Academy. They will lead
to changes in activity of police of Azerbaijan.
– Do you hold meetings with your voters?
– Yes, I do.
– What issues are most frequently discussed?
– I’ve already touched upon this issue. Most frequently voters are
concerned about problems of unemployment, water, gas and energy supply
etc. It is necessary to solve all these problems, as electricity,
water and gas are necessary for normal living. Moreover, if citizen
is unemployed he or she can’t pay for electricity and the rest of
public utilities. Thus, first of all citizens must be provided with
work for he or she could solve all these problems.
During my pre-election campaign I promised people: if I am elected as
Milli Mejlis deputy, my headquarter will be functioning at election
district for holding meetings with voters. I kept my promise.
Headquarter is functioning, it carries out appropriate work to solve
the problems of tens of voters. No barrier exists between me and
my voters.
– How do you evaluate mission of Azerbaijani soldier within
international peacemaking forces?
– Azerbaijan is peace loving country. Despite violation of
territorial integrity and occupation of 20% of our territories,
our state continues its peacemaking policy. If Azerbaijani soldiers
serve for international peacemaking forces in Afghanistan, Iraq,
and Balkans it means that international community trusts Azerbaijani
army. Being citizen and Parliament member I support activity of
Azerbaijani soldiers within international forces. It is important not
only for our state but for our army as well. As you know Azerbaijan
carries out works on creation of peacemaking military forces within
the frames of GUAM. Member-states of this structure are determined in
this matter. Cease-fire in Middle East after Israel-Lebanon war was
reached owing to mediation of UN. This structure decided to dispatch
its peacemaking forces in the region. Perhaps Azerbaijani soldier will
partake in peacemaking mission of international forces in this region.
– What can you say about ways of regulation of Nagorni Garabagh
Conflict?
– OSCE and OSCE Minsk Group member states are responsible for peaceful
regulation of the conflict. However up to now Minsk Group hasn’t
fulfilled its obligations concerning this matter. Recent statement of
OSCE special representative, A. Kasprshik, concerning conflagration
committed on occupied territories as well as reaction of co-chair
states to this issue manifested that it is naïve to expect activities
for regulation of conflict from OSCE and Minsk Group. During their
meetings and while making documents co-chair states demand more
compromises from Azerbaijan, but not from Armenia.
If we consider statements of US co-chair, M. Brayza, we will be
convinced once again that there is no point to expect regulation
of conflict from this structure. If international community cannot
define the status of aggressor-country and the country that suffers
from aggression, no real results can be expected. I believe that it
is necessary to regulate Nagorni Garabagh conflict within the frames
of UN, appropriate measures should be taken to realize 4 resolutions
adopted by above international structure. At the same time Azerbaijan
can effectively use potential of international organizations,
including GUAM. Unfortunately, despite efforts made by Azerbaijan,
official Yerevan shows no will to take serious measures for conflict
regulation. GUAM member-states applied to UN with the purpose of
taking appropriate measures for conflict regulation in the countries
of GUAM. Russia and Armenia were against inclusion of the issue in
the agenda of UN Security Council, USA was neutral, and France didn’t
joined voting. If all three countries, members of UN Security Council
and having the right to veto, did so, nothing can be expected from
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan,
Ilham Aliyev, declared that Azerbaijan advocates peaceful regulation
of this conflict. If negotiations have no effect, we will have to
liberate our territories resorting to all means. Azerbaijan has
right to liberate its territories within the frames of international
standards and UN Charter.
–Boundary_(ID_aAUYCRmodQklMHyYTC1O/A)–