ABBAS ABBASOV: THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO ENVIED EVEN MY SUCCESSFUL RESIGNATION
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 25 2007
I served my country and people, I was not a thief
Abbas Abbasov, former First Deputy Prime Minister interviewed by APA
– Why did you resign from the post of First Deputy Prime Minister
and presidency of the Wrestling Federation?
– I served my people and state for 15 years. I was tired, that’s why
I offered, my resignation. This is a civil way. I have no problems,
I have not quarreled with anyone. I have very excellent relations with
everybody, I was awarded "Istiglal" order, there is no higher order
than this… I am satisfied with my life and my children. I am free
now, I get up whenever I want, meet whoever I want. I myself offered
my resignation from the post of federation president. I was offered
honorary presidency, and I agreed. Life is dialectical, nothing is
constant. Today you hold the microphone and ask questions, someone
else may hold the microphone for you tomorrow. One should be vigorous
and understand life. Life is beautiful, one should live it properly.
I am far from intrigues and I want everyone to know it.
– What was the reaction when you offered your resignation?
– My resignation was not so easy. Mr. President did not want me
to resign. But 15-year rigid schedule tired me. I think that every
person should choose his own way himself. I chose my way and the state
appraised it. I was awarded and respected. I am not less respected
now as an ordinary citizen.
– You are not so active in the ongoing socio-political processes…
– Why do you think so? I am serving Azerbaijan and it will be so till
the end of my life.
– Are you satisfied with your son Aydin Abbasov as a parliamentarian
and vice-president of Wrestling Federation?
– Every father gives advice to his son. My son should serve his people
and state like me. He watches the competition as a vice-president. He
gives and has to give help. This is the duty of everyone, who loves
his motherland. I could have minded my own business, since I am no
more president of the federation. But it is my civil duty to closely
watch the world championship within a week, I should do this.
– You were linked to mafia…
– Those who hate me did this. It seems that somebody is interested
in this. This is life. It can not be good for everybody… There
were people who envied even my successful resignation. How could it
be that Abbas Abbasov resigned, and with so great respect… This is
natural. My aim is to serve my people and state.
– There were rumors about your relations with Dagestanis…
– I have relations with the whole world. And it will be so till the
end of my life. One should be sociable.
– Who did not like you?
– As I already mentioned, everybody may have adversaries. People may
be envious. My enemies are those who order articles in newspapers.
You know better how articles are written in the newspapers. State
newspaper never writes anything bad about me…Only opposition
newspapers do such things. But they should write correctly. If the
fact is confirmed, they can write. There is no need to insult, write
indecent words until court makes decision.
– How do you assess imprisonment of journalists?
– I am uninformed about it. I have no time to look at anything.
– But how are you informed about articles written about you?
– My friends call me and say that they read something bad about me.
And I ask them what have they read, and they say content of article.
My reaction is: let them write….
– Your resignation was linked with coup d’etat occurred before
parliamentary elections…
– I regard that political figure has personal ambitions and it can
not be higher than his head. They should serve to policy of the state
and desire of nation. There is law, state, statehood, Constitution.
No one can pretend to me on my 15-year contributions. I have always
lived as free Azerbaijani citizen. I am living freely at present.
– You prefer to live in Moscow, do not you…
– No, I am in Azerbaijan. Why should I live in Russia? But I visit
Russia, sometimes live in France, Italy, Spain. I live wherever I want.
– Have you apartment in the above-said countries?
– No. I live in hotels there. If I go there for walk, then I should
live in hotels.
– But it is natural if anyone who took high post for a long time has
house abroad….
– I always served my country, nation, I was never engaged in
plundering. Those who were engaged in plundering can have houses,
apartments abroad. But I have no such opportunity.
– What is your assessment on the policy pursued in Azerbaijan at
present?
– I regard that our government functions normally. It is already 3
years that GDP is no less than 35% in the country. There is no such
growth in any country. And it shows that government functions normally,
economic relations have been established and integration policy is
carried out successfully. Therefore I regard that there is no need
for additional explanations, libel, spot. I can only say that we have
one enemy and it is Armenia who occupied our regions. Every honest,
diligent man should deal with this problem. The nation should unite. I
will never oppose my nation, my state. I will say anything which I do
not like. I agree with everything today. I have no any problem. And
I always see respect, care. I have no any claim.
– You were responsible person in the establishment of relations
between Azerbaijan and CIS for a long time. How do you assess existing
relations between Russia and Azerbaijan?
– We have good relations with Russia. Our compatriots living there face
no problem. They are only required to observe rules of the country
they live. No Azerbaijani is insulted and withdrawn in Russia. Some
forces such cases to occur. But it will not happen, because policy
of the state is in right direction. Georgia and Russia have no normal
relations, therefore Georgians are treated badly there. But Azerbaijan
and Russia have normal relations.
– Do interstate relations depend on personal relations?
– All the issues are linked with personal relations first of all. If
you do not like me, you would never contact with me.