RAMIZ MEHDIYEV: IF SURVEY IS CARRIED OUT WE WILL SEE THAT 98 PERCENT OF POPULATION SUPPORT ILHAM ALIYEV’S PRESIDENCY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 23 2007

"Recent events occurred in Azerbaijan press is not related to
forthcoming presidential elections. Accepting reality we can see
groundlessness of thought on the relation between presidential
elections and newspapers’ issues", Ramiz Mehdiyev, President Office’s
head was quoted by APA as saying. Ramiz Mehdiyev sure of Azerbaijan
president’s authority said "I am sure if survey is carried out we
will see that 98 percent of population intends to vote for Ilham
Aliyev’s presidency".

"So explaining press events with forthcoming elections is groundless.

We wait for normal, cultural, democratic opposition in the country.

We also want our press have the level of press of civil countries
not being source of offensive ad insulting articles. The newspapers
are publishing many rumors and disinformation. This does not coincide
with Azerbaijani mentality".

Touching upon the pardon on journalists Ramiz Mehdiyev said President
issues several pardon decrees a year. He said he hoped for the soon
release of journalists.

Ramiz Mehidyev commented on the issue of number of journalists
imprisoned in Azerbaijan. "Everyone should obey the law. Journalists
are not allowed to do anything they wish even selling the interests
of Azerbaijan. Oppositions in neighboring countries do not libel their
government in spite of much worse situation in Armenia. We all should
try to have a democratic patriotic, cultural opposition.

Everyone should settle its personal problems in accordance with law."