IQBAL AGHAZADE: "SERIOUS STRUGGLE WILL BE INITIATED BETWEEN ME AND ILHAM ALIYEV IN 2008"
Today.Az
tics/47200.html
Aug 26 2008
Azerbaijan
The Umid party has already collected 44,000 signatures, which it
presented to the Central Election Commission, said party chairman
Iqbal Aghazade, who nominated his candidacy for presidential elections.
He said the collection was mainly conducted by the party activists,
therefore, no special funds were allocated for the purpose.
According to him, they faced different obstacles in collecting
signatures.
"In particular, our signature lists were taken away by the order
of the executive powers and torn to pieces before the eyes of our
activists in Geranboy, Zaqatala, Lerik, Qazakh, Samukh regions. Some
of the signature lists were spoiled. But we managed to get the needed
number of signatures. We are now working at creating advertising and
placards to demonstrate during presidential elections.
As to the worthy rival for him, he said he regards Ilham Aliyev as the
only rival. "Serious struggle will be initiated between me and Ilham
Aliyev in 2008. I will represent opposition and he will represent
the powers. Unlike other candidates, I am sure that I will be able
to gather the protest electorate.
Speaking about the idea of creating a single coalition, he said
it can only be executed following the elections. According to him,
there is no need for creating any association, as it will not be able
to influence the process of presidential elections.
Aghazade said if he is elected a president he will pay due attention
to all problems.
"For example, it is impossible to pay attention only to the
socioeconomic development of the country, without paying attention
to the resolution of the Karabakh problem. It requires complex
solution. For this purpose I have my own programs and strategies.
Asked whether his team would include powers or opposition
representatives, he said there is a law "On state service", which
defines rules of admission of citizens for state service.
"There should not be any differences between people for their party
belonging, the most important is that they should worthily fulfill
their duties, while the rest is not decisive".