AZERI PRESIDENT SETS PRIORITIES FOR COUNTRY’S DEVELOPMENT
Azerbaijani TV Channel One,
Nov 29 2006
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has spoken out against politicizing
the situation surrounding the closure of the private ANS TV and radio
company. Speaking in an interview with Azerbaijani state television
on 29 November, he said that if all the demands of the National TV and
Radio Council are fulfilled, then ANS can continue broadcasting. Aliyev
added that he has always supported ANS, but no-one is allowed to
break the law. Touching on his meeting with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan in Minsk, the president said that the Karabakh talks are
approaching the final stage and the future of the talks depended on
the presidents. The problem will be solved within the framework of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, he said.
Aliyev denied the reports that the authorities are trying to suppress
the opposition media and stressed that his priority task is to building
a free and democratic state. The following is an excerpt from Ilham
Aliyev’s interview with Azerbaijani TV on 29 November.
Subheadings have been inserted editorially:
[Correspondent] Mr President, you had a meeting with the Armenian
president in Minsk on the sidelines of the CIS summit. What is your
assessment of the outcome of the meeting?
Karabakh talks approaching final stage
[Aliyev] The Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh talks have been
going on within the framework of the Prague process for about three
years. Over this period, there have been enough meetings both at the
level of the presidents and the foreign ministers. Naturally, those
meetings discussed ways of solving the problem. There were different
stages and I can say that we are approaching the final stage of the
talks. Because, as you know, at the talks that have been going on
almost for three years, all issues were discussed and the positions
of the sides almost took shape. We have already reached a stage where
the future of the talks depends on our steps. From this point of view,
I assess the outcome of the meeting as normal on the whole.
As you know, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs recently visited Baku and
Yerevan. Azerbaijan consented to their proposal to conduct a meeting
[between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia]. As for the meeting,
on the whole, the talks were constructive and disputed issues were
discussed. They were almost in the centre of attention.
Because we recently managed to achieve solutions to a number of
issues, and problems that were not agreed previously have now been
agreed. However, there are issues on which we do not see eye-to-eye
and the two presidents had talks on those issues.
As for Azerbaijan’s position, I want to reiterate that our position
has not undergone any changes. Azerbaijan insists on the resolution
of the problem within the framework of our territorial integrity. The
four resolutions of the UN Security Council must be implemented,
the occupied Azerbaijani lands must be liberated from the occupying
forces and over 1m Azerbaijanis must return home.
I have to say that we are satisfied with the recent activities of
international organizations. Respected international organizations have
already clarified their position that the issue should be solved within
the framework of territorial integrity, which certainly reinforces
our position.
In general, every issue can be solved on the basis of international
law, norms and principles. No other issue can be resolved beyond these
framework and the setting of precedents might cause problems for other
countries. Therefore, I want to reiterate that Azerbaijan’s principal
position remains unchanged, i.e. Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
must be restored. Nagornyy Karabakh must be granted the highest degree
of autonomy within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Foreign policy successful and flexible
[Correspondent] Mr President, you have paid several successful visits
to a number of foreign countries over the last two months. What is
your assessment of these visits?
[Aliyev] On the whole, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is flexible and
successful. I have to say that there have also been enough tours inside
the country over the last two months, especially in October, I toured
regions of the country more often. But in November, there were more
foreign trips and this is my fifth visit. I visited Brussels where
the European Union [EU] and NATO are headquartered. The visit was very
successful and very important results were achieved. As you know, we
have already started a broad five-year neighbourhood policy plan with
the EU. The programme envisages the continuation of both economic and
political reforms. I am confident that the process of democratization
will further accelerate once this programme is implemented.
We have been cooperating with NATO within the framework of the
Individual Partnership Action Plan [IPAP] and both sides are very
satisfied with this cooperation. On the whole, my visit to Brussels
was aimed at strengthening Azerbaijan’s integration into Euro-Atlantic
structures. This is our strategic line and it is being successfully
put into life and Azerbaijan’s positions are gradually strengthening
even more.
After this, I paid an official visit to Russia. This visit was also
important because Russia is our strategic partner and we are tied
together with both expanded political and economic relations. My
meeting with President Putin was also very significant for both
sides. I have to say that the visit and its outcome will serve the
further deepening of bilateral relations and I am sure that they will
have a positive impact on developments in the region.
[Passage omitted: Aliyev said his visits to Turkey and other states
were fruitful]
Reforms have to complete one another
[Correspondent] Mr President, some opposition forces recently made
claims regarding the media and made accusations. If possible, we’d
like to hear your views on these issues.
[Aliyev] You know, political developments in Azerbaijan have been
positive on the whole. Along with political reforms, we proceed with
economic reforms and I have repeatedly said and want to reiterate it
now that political reforms have to complete economic reforms. Both
processes have to be implemented in parallel. We already have a big
economic potential, we have created it. The political reforms, the
development of democracy in the country, freedom of speech and the
media, freedom of conscience, supremacy of the law – all these are
key issues for us.
The conduct of economic reforms for us is as important as the conduct
of political ones. Our economic achievements will have no future
and will be temporary without viable public control and a free
civil society in Azerbaijan. For this reason, the fundamental aim
of the recent reforms carried out in Azerbaijan is to maintain the
comprehensive development of the country in order for every citizen
of the country to enjoy freedom.
Country enjoys freedom of speech
Freedom of speech also exists in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has over 500
media outlets and they function freely. We are taking very serious
steps in this sphere. The securing of freedom of speech and the
media is our priority and I can say that Azerbaijan has achieved
great successes in this area. As you know, we have joined the New
Neighbourhood Policy with the EU. This Action Plan also envisages
continuing political reforms, i.e. this is our choice. If we did
not have plans on that score, nobody would compel us to accept those
agreements. This is our choice, our desire and our will. Therefore,
we should not politicize the situation around some media outlets. We
have to settle all issues legally.
The opposition media have been recently discussing the eviction of
Azadliq newspaper to another office. This technical issue is being
artificially politicized by the opposition and is being presented as
an attempt by the Azerbaijani authorities to stifle the opposition
press. On the contrary, we have provided Azadliq newspaper with proper
and perfect conditions. They will be accommodated at the Azarbaycan
publishing house where other media outlets are headquartered. This
issue should only be examined in the legal context. Azerbaijan enjoys
freedom of speech and the media and no-one should have doubts about
this. I am sure that these processes will be speed up even more because
our country is becoming modern and rich, and turning into a modern
state and it is impossible to restrict the media. It is impossible
to restrict the media in the globalizing world.
Private TV channel can reopen once shortcomings are eliminated
The situation surrounding ANS TV is a subject of discussion, of course,
and I consider that it is wrong to handle the matter from a political
point of view. At different times – before and after I was elected
president, I always supported the strengthening of freedom of speech
and made efforts, whenever necessary, to ensure the broadcasts of
the ANS TV channel. During hard periods facing the channel [changing
tack] – in any case, the channel’s management can confirm that I have
always been with them. I have done this and I consider that it is
necessary and very important to strengthen the free and independent
media in Azerbaijan.
However, having said this, every single issue has to be solved
legally. Everybody must obey the law. We are creating a law-governed
state in Azerbaijan. I urge all officials and office holders
to adhere to the law. Both ordinary people and the president,
a rank-and-file journalist and the director of a TV channel should
obey the law. Someone may like or dislike the law, but this is the
law, and societies and countries are governed by the law. Everybody
is equal before the law. No-one, including media and TV chiefs, can
be above the law. Sometimes, certain media outlets think that being
a pressman, a journalist or the owner of a media outlet gives them
certain privileges. This is not the case and everybody should be
equal. There are government agencies and the National TV and Radio
Council – they made well-founded remarks and the right proposals and
every media outlet should follow them. Therefore, I consider that
those issues can be solved in a businesslike atmosphere and with the
help of good will. If all remarks, warnings and demands are fulfilled,
then this channel can continue broadcasting.
Closure of media outlet nowadays impossible
You know, I want to reiterate that it is impossible to close or
restrict any media nowadays. We live in the Internet age. Why are we
providing every school in Azerbaijan with access to the Internet?!
Because our people, children and young men should be familiar with
developments in the world from the early ages. They should see
innovations, acquire and apply them.
I often visit regions of the country and remote villages. The remotest
villages have satellite dishes installed and there are not just a
few, but many of them, i.e. it is impossible to restrict any media
outlet. TV channels will soon be broadcast via mobile phones.
We have no aim or plans to restrict them. Simply, everyone should
obey the law and act within the framework of the law. Nobody will be
provided with privileged conditions. This is my principled stance and
I will adhere to this position. Every single issue should be solved
in line with the law. Given this, we shall have no problems. If
everybody understands this and adheres to the law, all other issues
will be tackled.
I want to reiterate that this is my vision and philosophy. I want
to see Azerbaijan a modern state. I want to see Azerbaijan rich,
economically strong, politically free, modern, open to the world,
ready for cooperation, able to protect its interests and possessing a
mighty army that is able to restore its territorial integrity. I will
do my best to accomplish all this. Nobody and nothing can prevent me
from doing this. Thank you.