Official chronicle
On 4 August Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Ram Vagan Yadavan on his election to the post of President of Nepal. In his congratulatory letter the President voiced his hope that the relations between Azerbaijan and Nepal will develop in the spirit of friendship and cooperation in the benefit of the two nations.
Chaired by the President of Azerbaijan, the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was held, dedicated to the first half year, on 5 August.
On 6 August the President of Azerbaijan Republic, Ilham Aliyev, signed an order improving control on domestic waste management in Baku city. Created for this purpose, the joint stock company Tamiz Shahar will carry out all works on arrangement and utilizations of solid domestic wastes, which appear on the territory of Baku City. Balakhani area on utilization of urban wastes, which is owned the Executive Power of Baku City, and Surakhany and Garadagh sections on management and utilizations of solid domestic wastes will be transferred to the JSC Tamiz Shahar. The Ministry of Economic Development is in charge of preparing regulation of Company, State registration and settling other organizational questions.
Order comes into force from the day of signing.
On 6 August the President of Azerbaijan Republic, Ilham Aliyev, signed an order, according to which, the authorities of judge of Khatai District Court of Baku City, Tamerlana Zeynalova, ended earlier than the time on the basis of his statement. According to another order of the President, Emrah Najafov was freed from the post of judge of Shemkir District Court, and was appointed as the judge of Military Court of Fizuli-Gubadli.
The President of Azerbaijan also signed an order on appointment of the chairmen of some courts of the first instances, a change in the post of the judges of some courts of the first instances, and the appointment of judges of several courts of the first instance.
On 7 August, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev left for Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the 29th Summer Olympic Games. Forty-four Azerbaijani sportsmen will participate in the Beijing Olympic Games. They left for China on 6 August. In the morning of 7 August, the flag of Azerbaijan was hoisted in an Olympic village in Beijing.
President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, sent a message of congratulation to his Singaporean counterpart His Excellency Sellapan Rama Nathan on country's National Day.
President Aliyev expressed confidence for further friendly and cooperation relations to serve mutual interests of both countries.
Head of the Azerbaijani State wished the Singaporean President Sellapan Rama Nathan robust health, success in activity and his people - peace and prosperity.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev granted an interview to the Chinese Jemin Jibao newspaper and reporter of the Top talk program on the Chinese Central TV1 being on a visit to Beijing to participate in the opening ceremony of the 29th summer Olympic Games.
Elections
The Azerbaijani Elections Commission (CEC) begins enlightenment program through the Public Television (PTV) from 5 August. "Our aim is to improve the knowledge of voters and other elections subjects on the elections right," the CEC told Trend on 5 August. The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on 15 October. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party nominated the current President Ilham Aliyev at end of the last week. Three opposition parties, including the Popular Front, the Liberal and the Civil Development, which is united in the Azadlig bloc, and the Classic Popular Front party decided to boycott the presidential elections. The Musavat, the Civil Solidarity, the Democratic and the Great Establishment parties refused to participate in the elections with own candidates. The candidatures of Mais Gulaliyev, the chairman of the Greens Party, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, the chairman of the Azerbaijani Unified Popular Front Party, Hafiz Hajiyev, the chairman of the Muasir Musavat party, Fuad Aliyev, the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Igbal Agazade, the chairman of the Umid Party, were officially nominated for the presidential post. According to the CEC, the first stage of the program will last by the end of August. The CEC members will report on different issues, including specification of voting lists and the rules to carry pre-elections propaganda, at the first stage. The second stage will begin at the beginning of September. This stage will include reports on election actions after pre-elections propaganda.
The independent Azerbaijani MPs, who do not represent any party, will support the candidature of the current State Head, Chairman of the governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), Ilham Aliyev, during the elections. "The unanimous opinion during the discussions was that the independent MPs will support President Ilham Aliyev's candidature in the elections," independent MP Jale Aliyeva told Trend . The Presidential elections in Azerbaijan will take place on 15 October. The governing New Azerbaijan Party has nominated current President Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijan Parliament brings together 125 MPs (two seats are free). Of them, 64 MPs represent the governing party. There are 42 independent MPs in the Parliament. The independent MPs participate in forming the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC), as well as district and divisional election commissions. They have five representatives in the CEC. Aliyeva considers that Azeri people, as well as independent MPs have already made their choice. According to her, independent MPs have discussed the issue of the presidential elections for several times. The positions of the independent MPs on Presidential elections coincide. Independent MP Aydin Abbasov, member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), told Trend that he also supports President Ilham Aliyev's candidature. "Due to economic development, social progress, strengthening of the army and stability, I support the candidate of the current power. At the same time, my personal sympathy with President Ilham Aliyev also played a role in my choice," Abbasov said. The independent MP Rafael Huseynov, member of Parliamentary Committee on Law Policy and State Establishment, also stated that he has determined whom he will support in the Presidential elections. "I support President Ilham Aliyev's candidature and do not see alternative to him," he said.
The representatives for the presidential candidate of the incumbent President Ilham Aliyev have been appointed in the Central Election Commission (CEC). Under the decision of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), Ali Ahmadov, the Executive Secretary of the party, and Ahmadov's deputies Mubariz Gurbanli and Siyavush Novruzov, were appointed Aliyev's representatives, Novruzov told Trend .
Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan announced the names of presidential candidates, who have passed the first registration stage. According to CEC, the presidential candidate from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) the incumbent President Ilham Aliyev, Umid party - chairman Igbal Agazade, Yashar Ahmadov - jobless, Vugar Seyidov -physician, Alimukhtar Akbarov -pensioner, and Sevinj Guliyeva - hospital attendant in the Central Clinical Hospital in Sumgayit have passed the first registration stage. These candidates submitted their documents till 2 August. The candidates, who passed the registration in CEC, must collect electorates' signatures.The presidential candidates must collect the votes of about 40,000 electorates' signatures and to submit them to CEC within ten days. CEC must make the decision to register or not register the candidates until 5 September. Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. Besides the aforesaid persons, Popular Front Party of Unified Azerbaijan - chairman Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Modern Musavat party - chairman Hafiz Haciyev, Liberal and Democratic Party - chairman Fuad Aliyev, Green Party of Azerbaijan - chairman Mais Gulaliyev, and Gudrat Isagov - leading science employee in the Physics Institute under the National Academy of Science of Azerbaijan (NASA) have also nominated their candidatures to the presidential post.
A total of 50% of signatures, which are required to support and register the candidature of the current President Ilham Aliyev, the Chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), have been collected. "According to the NAP's regional organizations, a total of 50% of signatures, which are required in the Elections Code, have been collected in the first day of the signature collecting campaign. The NAP will submit filled signature lists to the Central Elections Commission (CEC) soon," the NAP told Trend on 9 August.
The CEC has confirmed candidatures of six of them, including Ilham Aliyev, Igbal Agazade, Yashar Ahmadov, Vugar Seyidov, Alimukhtar Akbarov and Sevinj Guliyeva. Within ten days candidates should collect 40,000 signatures of voters and submit them to the CEC. According to the NAP, all Azerbaijani citizens, who have the right to vote, demonstrate activity in the signature collecting campaign to elect Ilham Aliyev to the presidential post for the next term. The party's signature collecting campaign, in which about 1,000 people from the party's regional and city organizations participate, will finish soon.
On 9 August, the CEC confirmed presidential candidatures of five more persons, including Chairman of Muasir Musavat, Hafiz Hajiyev, Chairman of United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Chairman of Liberal Democratic Party, Fuad Aliyev, Chairman of the Greens Party of Azerbaijan, Mayis Gulaliyev, employee of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Gudret Isagov.
Foreign policy
Official Baku is concerned by the tense situation appeared around the South Ossetia region of Georgia. "We want all problems in the complicated region to be possibly solved peacefully," Khazar Ibrahim, Press Secretary of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, told Trend on 8 August. In the beginning of 1990, South Ossetia, having the status of autonomies within Georgia, proclaimed its independence with the support of Russia. A military conflict resulted in lost of control over the territories by official Tbilisi. The countries worldwide and international organizations have not recognized independence of South Ossetia. The peaceful negotiations for more than ten years have not yielded any results. In the early morning of 8 August, large-scale military operations commenced in the unrecognized South Ossetia Republic. Information was provided that the Georgian military people entered Tsinkhvali in the early morning. Official Tbilisi describes the events as "re-establishment of constitutional disciplines". The unrecognized South Ossetia Republic asks Russia to provide military assistance. In the morning of 8 August, mobilization of the reserved military people was declared. This information was provided by the President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, through Georgian television. According to the information, over the past years, more than 100,000 people passed military training and were reserved. The trained people are under age of 25-45 years. The official of the Foreign Ministry said that Azerbaijan is willing the peace and stability to be re-established in the South Caucasus region and is prepared to do the best in this regard. " Azerbaijan recognizes Georgia's territorial integrity and all issues should be resolved within this country's territorial integrity," he stated.
Georgia calls upon Azerbaijan to support it during its difficult minutes and require Russia to stop military actions, the Ambassador of Georgia in Azerbaijan Nikoloz Natbiladze briefed the media during press conference on 9 August. "Currently bombing Georgian cities continues. Russia violates international law. The cities, which sustain bombing, are located out of the conflict zone," Ambassador said. According to Natbiladze, Russian media spreads disinformation that as though the President of Georgia is in preinfarction angina, and intends to leave for Turkey. Saakashvili is in healthy state and is not going to leave the Country," Ambassador said. According to him, Tskhinvali, except the village of Java, is controlled by Georgia. "We are very grateful to Azerbaijan for supporting territorial integrity of Georgia," said Georgian diplomat. According to him, consultations are being held with GUAM, and still Georgia does not intend to appeal West for military help, he noted.
Political movements
The Azerbaijani New Time oppositional party decided not to participate in the coming presidential elections. "The party refused to participate in the presidential elections because of the lack of a state registration and the pre-election situation in the country," Musa Agayev, the chairman of the party, told Trend on 4 August.
The New Time Party will not join the presidential elections in any form, Agayev said. "The party does not see a deserved person to support among the current candidates," he said. The opposition New Time party was established on 15 July in 2007.
Governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) determined the number of the watchdogs for presidential elections. "NAP unites 450,000 members. We can appoint watchdogs to every of the 5,000 polling stations. Members of the party have been selected for this purpose. Our watchdogs will number at least 10,000," Executive Secretary and Deputy Chairman of the NAP Ali Ahmadov said to Trend on 4 August. According to Ahmadov, in conformity with certain norms of the Election Code one watchdog may be selected by the candidate and one by the party which nominated the candidate. NAP will use the utmost of the opportunities provided by the legislation. "No one in Azerbaijan doubts it is Ilham Aliyev to win the elections. We anticipate this. However, NAP is an organization which does not allow calm political processes. All our victories result from many factors, as well as from drawing of serious resources in the political processes. We will stick to this line again at these elections and will draw in all available human resources. We discussed application of several new technologies in the election campaign," said Ahmadov. The NAP was founded in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan (NAR) in 1992 by Heydar Aliyev, who then was the chair of the Nakhchivan Parliament. Present chairman of the party, which has been governing for 15 years, is Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijan Social Welfare Party Officially nominated the current State Head of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, for presidency.
Hafiz Hajiyev, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani opposition Modern Musavat Party (MMP), has submitted the documents regarding his candidature to the upcoming presidential elections to the Central Election Commission (CEC). Party informed Trend on 4 August. Hajiyev's candidature was nominated in the meeting of MMP on 19 July. Under the legislation, the signed documents returned to the candidate within five days. Later, the candidate starts to collect signatures.
Several opposition group's refusal to participate in Azerbaijan's presidential elections results from lack of any ideas and views regarding political and economic development of the country and country's community, the head of the Political Analysis & Information at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Elnur Aslanov said to Trend , commenting on the recent decisions of country's opposition parties. According to Aslanov, one must work nonstop during five years then to be able to participate in the elections. "Once elections are over, a new elections process commences. Therefore, several people in the opposition camp should understand and realize elections require not only newspaper publications and pseudodemocratic rhetoric but also real and alternative proposals regarding state development strategy," he said. According to Aslanov, the opposition spends all its time for political intrigues and squabbles over leadership in its camp. "These organizations do not want to see the ongoing transformations in the country and to become a part of the forming political culture. They oppose updating. So, the time works against them," he said. In recent years the community and the political companions of those opposition parties have not been informed of their real views on their proposals to Azerbaijan, said Aslanov. "They do not have anything, neither ideas nor organizing plans, to go to the elections with. An opposition activist has recently noted "there is no gunpowder in powder-flasks any more". Even chairmen of opposition parties say they do not have another way but to boycott the elections. Obviously, they have come to a situation in which the elections lost will put a bold dot on their political career," said Aslanov.
According to Aslanov, the aforesaid persons have lost seven national elections since 1993 and this fact is associated amongst population with defeat. They just have no other way to prolong their political longevity. Opposition parties excused their non-participation in the elections by undemocratic pre-elections conditions in the country. Aslanov said President Ilham Aliyev stated at the meeting of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) several days ago that that all conditions had been provided in the country to hold democratic, open and transparent elections. "At the same time, the authorities have many times stated that the upcoming elections would prove that Azerbaijan is the regional leader in the economic and democratic aspect, as well as in the democratization sphere. There are all grounds and preconditions for that. Therefore, I appraise the statements of several 'democracy messengers' as weakness of several opposition groups, which agree they lack for public support and social basis," Aslanov stated. On the other hand, these organizations, like in 1998, will again isolate themselves from the political process, said Aslanov. "But the distinction of the current situation is that not all members of opposition parties agree to boycott the elections and openly oppose the decision, understanding its lack of prospects. The rhetoric about 'undemocracy' results from opposition leaders' need to argue their decision, and the statements about 'undemocratic conditions' may be used as an argument, which they may use against their opponents within party. We understand the target of such a pseudodemocratic rhetoric, Aslanov said.
Azerbaijani religious Islamic party will not participate in the upcoming presidential elections. "We cannot participate in the elections as the Justice Ministry did not issue a license to our party," Mohsun Samadov, the Chairman of the Islamic Party told Trend . Samadov said that participation of the Islamic party in the presidential elections depended on the state registration of the party by the Ministry. However, the Islamic party will not support any candidate to the presidential post. Opposition Islamic Party was founded in August 1991 and was granted a state license by the Justice Ministry in 1992. In 1995, the party was accused of anti state activity.
The lawsuit by the opposition Azerbaijani national Independent Party (ANIP) against the Baku City Administration will be re-considered, Ali Orujov, the Deputy Chairman of ANIP, told Trend . In 2007, ANIP stated about the City Administration limited its right of freedom of assemble and made a court appeal to the Sabayil District Court. However, the lawsuit was rejected. A month ago the Baku Appeal Court returned the case to the Sabayil Court to reconsider. The process is scheduled for 8 August. ANIP was the first party received registration in Azerbaijan in 1992. Etibar Mammadov had been the founder and chairman of the party by 2004. Presently, Mammadov is the deputy chairman of the International Democratic Alliance.
The opposition Azerbaijani Musavat party decided to observe the upcoming presidential elections. "In its meeting on 4 August the party's Assembly decided to observe actively the elections campaign," Arif Hajili, the head of Musavat Central Executive Body, told Trend after the gathering on 4 August. The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on 15 October. The Musavat party decided to participate in the presidential elections in October 2007. However, at a meeting held on 2 August the party decided not to participate in the elections. The Civil Solidarity, the Democratic and the Great Establishment parties refused to participate in the elections with own candidates. Three opposition parties, including the Popular Front, the Liberal and the Civil Development, which is united in the Azadlig bloc, and the Classical Popular Front party decided to boycott the presidential elections. According to Hajili, Musavat's Divan held discussions on Musavat's Assembly, which took place on 2 August. "We exchanged opinions on responses followed after Musavat's refusal to participate in the elections. At the same time, the Divan heard a report by its Elections Department on legislation specifying the opportunities granted to parties, not joining the presidential elections, to conduct observation in the polls and to hold political actions," Hajili said. Divan assessed the Assembly's decision as a common opinion of the majority in the party. Hajili said that Musavat did not intend to support any party. "This decision is not discussed because major opposition parties will not participate in the elections." Oppositional Musavat party was established in 1992. Isa Gambar, the chairman of the party, was the speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament (1992-93) and presidential candidate in the presidential elections held 2003.
Azerbaijani National Independent Party (ANIP) will not nominate its candidate to the presidential post. "ANIP leader refused to nominate his candidature to the presidential post. At present, nobody wants to nominate his candidature to the presidential post," Ali Orujov, the Deputy Chairman of ANIP, told Trend . Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. Mammadov stated that he would not nominate his candidature to the presidential elections. "If ANIP will nominate another candidate I will support his candidature," Mammadov said. Orujov stated that ANIP would not boycott the elections. "We took a decision to participate in the elections. We must hold another meeting in order to change the decision. ANIP will hold the Political Council on 9 August to take the final decision regarding the elections," Mammadov said. ANIP was the first party received registration in Azerbaijan in 1992. Etibar Mammadov had been the founder and chairman of the party by 2004. Presently, Mammadov is the deputy chairman of the International Democratic Alliance.
Some members from the Agstafa, Kazakh and Sabirabad regional organizations of the opposition Musavat party resigned and will continue their political activity in the Political Movement Way of Azerbaijan (PMWA). According to the information delivered to Trend , sixteen members from Sabirabad regional organization, 13 - from Akstafa and 11 -from Kazakh organizations resigned. The resigned persons stated that leaders of opposition parties did not have one election platform during the presidential elections in Azerbaijan. In spite of the long-term efforts, opposition parties failed to create a centre of political forces. Today, the Azerbaijani opposition needs in the centre, which will be able to hold new political relations in the country. Three members of the Azerbaijani Popular Party and one member from the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan put their signatures on the resignation paper. The current chairman of the Akstafa regional organization of the party, Fakhraddin Delgi, resigned from the position two years ago. Arif Hacili, the Head of the Central Executive Administration of Musavat, rejected this information and said that the political movement Way of Azerbaijan holds worthless campaign on the threshold of the presidential elections.
According to the ruling New Azerbaijan party (NAP), the traditional opposition starts to leave the political arena. "At present, the old oppositon is replaced by a new one," MP Aydin Mirzazade, a member of the Political Council of NAP, told Trend commenting the reasons for non-alignment of the traditional opposition to the upcoming presidential elections. Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. Two opposition parties (Popular Front and Citizen and Development) and one movement (National Unity), which are represented in the Azadlig bloc, as well as the Classical Popular Front Party made a decision to boycott the elections. Musavat, Citizen Solidarity, Democratic and Great Establishment parties refused from participation in the elections with their own candidates.
Mirzazade said that the current pre-election situation in the country shows the replacement of the Azerbaijani opposition. "Actually, such replacement had been visible since 2000. The traditional and classical opposition of Azerbaijan, which was founded on the ground of the Popular Front, could not be renewed. Opposition could not use the new technologies and to work with the social base in the new form. Therefore, the new opposition appeared. In 2003, the new opposition was still weak. However, it became strengthening after 2005. The new opposition hold intensive works with media and holds relations with international organizations, as well as it is represented in the Parliament. Nobody should think that the new opposition supports the authorities. It criticizes the policy of the authorities. Despite of the old opposition, the new opposition criticizes the authorities but not blindly and proposes new ideas. A new political panorama will emerge after the presidential elections and before the parliamentary elections in 2010." Mirzazade rejects the Government's direct interest to create a new opposition. "The authorities are interested to increase the number of its supporters. The authorities do not see any difference to hold political struggle. Both the old and new opposition want to come to the office,' Mirzazade stated. According to the political scientist Zardusht Alizade, there is not a ground to replace the old opposition by a new one. "The old opposition has never hindered to emerge of a new one. From this point of view, Alizade rejects that the old opposition has created a ground for the new one by refusing to participate in the elections. "The traditional opposition has its permanent supporters. Therefore, I do not believe that the old opposition will leave the political arena completely," Alizade stated.
Azerbaijani opposition parties, which refused from participation in the upcoming presidential elections, will fail to create an extended coalition. "We will not participate in creation of the coalition as it carries a seasonal character. Participation or non-participation is an issue of tactics, but we cannot create a coalition on every tactics issue," MP Fazil Gazanfaroglu, the Chairman of the Great Establishment Party (GEP), told Trend . Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. Two opposition parties (Popular Front and Citizen and Development) and one movement (National Unity), which are represented in the Azadlig bloc, as well as the Classical Popular Front Party made a decision to boycott the elections. Musavat, Citizen Solidarity, Democratic and Great Establishment parties refused from participation in the elections with their own candidates. So far, only Azadlig bloc and Musavat party have made positive statements regarding establishment of extended coalition. Gazanfaroglu said that coalition has its own principles, organization is created according to these principles and certain program is developed. "There is not a notion that we will not go to the elections, and lets create a coalition. Participation or non-participation is an internal affair of every party. What is the reason to create any organization? In common, I consider unreal establishment of such a coalition," Gazanfaroglu said. Mirmahmud Miralioglu, the Chairman of the Classical Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, told Trend that the issue on establishment of coalition has been considered only by media. "We have made a decision. Under this decision, even the cooperation with the parties, which will not participate in the elections, is considered as a positive factor. We want the coalition to be established," Miralioglu said. There is no need to create a coalition in a hurry, Sardar Jalaloglu, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Democratic Party (ADP), told Trend on 8 August. "At present, the situation is emotional. A new situation aroused after most opposition parties made decisions. Reaction of the international organization is not still known completely. From this point of view, I consider incorrect to organize any unification, because we do not know what will happen after the elections in Azerbaijan," Jalaloglu said and noted the necessity to weigh up all issues from this point of view. "Talks are not being held with our party in connection with formation of the coalition and we do not intend to make any initiative on this matter. If other parties will make initiative on this matter, we will hold a waiting position," Jalaloglu said. It is too late to create any opposition coalition, Akif Shahbazov, the Chairman of the Open Society Party (OSP), told Trend on 8 August. "The coalition should have been formed in time for joint participation in the elections and struggle should have been determined in this direction. If any coalition is formed now, it will be meaningless. The coalition can be fruitful when it has opportunity to influence on society," Shahbazov said and noted that first, the opposition leaders should analyze their mistakes for creation a real coalition. "Creation of the coalition by people, who have lost the elections, is meaningless," Shahbazov said and stressed that if such coalition was formed, the OSP would not join it. On 8 August, MP Sabir Rustamkhanli, the Chairman of the Civil Solidarity Party (CSP) told Trend that he has pessimistic attitude to the idea to create the opposition coalition. "Parties, which support creation of the coalition, assemble and break up two or three times a year. When they unify, they will become brothers, and when break up, they will become enemies and insult one-another at the media. Therefore, at present the opposition is in such pitiful state, because people's trust in opposition is reduced. Therefore, I consider the unification of such unserious people incorrect, and do not foresee any results of it," Rustamkhanli said.
Head of Public Forum "For Azerbaijan", Eldar Namazov, refused to participate in the Presidential elections, he told Trend on 7 August.
Azerbaijan's Musavat opposition party stated external forces played a role in its decision to refuse to participate in the elections. Majority of the party supported participation in the elections and party's decision to participate was keeping force. The change of the situation seemed to be a secret operation. Questions arise - what happened behind the scenes? Who persuaded them not to participate in the elections? - a Musavat member, editor-in-chief of the Yeni Musavat party Rauf Arifogu said to Trend on 4 August. The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on 15 October. In October, 2007, the Musavat party decided to participate in the elections. Party's meeting on 2 August decided to refuse to participate. The parties of Civil Solidarity, the Communistic and the Great Establishment refused to participate in the presidential elections with own candidates. Bloc Azadlig uniting three opposition parties (Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Citizen and Development Party, Liberal Party), as well as the Classic Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, decided to boycott the elections. Arifoglu said whatever the case is Musavat's decision corresponds to the government's interests. "I doubt and I am concerned on the issue. I mean the decision was taken with meddling of some external forces, or the step was taken to come to agreement with the government, or there are other odd nuances of this type," Arifoglu said, adding that he does not consider the refusal to participate in the elections to be adequate to the politcal situation. "Well-known leaders of the traditional opposition have deviated from struggle with Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijani opposition have turned into a sort of governmental support group. According to the editor-in-chief, opposion's statements about undemocratic pre-election situation are just a pretext. "In fact, the situation has not changed. As to the government's attitude towards elections, the situation is the same like at previous elections. All issues, raging from the chairman of the Central Election Commission to others, have either a little deterritorated or remained unchanged. In this aspect, I believe the exuses are insignificant. The reality is that the heads, activists of the opposition failed to carry out their work, to bear the responsibility. In October, 2007, the Musavat party decided to participate in the elections. Nothing has been made to implement the decision within this period. The funds required for election campaign have not been found, which is a commission of party's administration. Generally, the activities intended for preparation for elections were low-quality. Other opposition parties experienced the same situation. Opposition leaders are lazy. They have got used to find easy ways. This bad habit has lead the opposition to a deadlock. All pretexts are just demagogy. The opposition should have tried to participate in the elections, to change the situation. We get this opportunity once a five years. What are we to do now? We have been waiting for five years to change the situation. So, now we must wait for 2013. It is doubtful that the opposition will retain its current composition and state by that time," said Arifoglu. He clarified the the possibility of party's participation in the elections with other candidate: "Very little time has left. Should the decision have been taken a month ago, we could voice a wise view in this respect. The time is so little that it is too difficult to say something sound just now. Party's structures are experiencing a shock at the moment. They need time to overpass this state".
The chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the opposition Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Gulamhuseyn Alibayli resigned from the chairmanship position and left the party. "I used the right given by the Charter and resign from the chairmanship position. I will continue my political career independently and intend to nominate candidature to the presidential post," Alibayli told Trend . At present, Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan is the member and co-founder of the Azadlig bloc. Ex-President Abulfaz Elchibay was the founder and chairman of the party until 2000. Since 2000, former MP Ali Karimli has been the chairman of the party. Alibayli took high ranks in PFPA and was known Karimli's fellow-fighter. From 2000 to 2005, Alibayli had been an MP and member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). PFPA is the member of the Azadlig bloc, which made a decision to boycott the upcoming presidential elections. Alibayli said that he would not say the reason for his resignation. "I will nominate my candidature soon," Alibayli stated.
Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenian armed forces broke ceasefire regime in various directions from 4 to 9 August.
The National Army of Azerbaijan retaliated and no casualties were reported
Azerbaijan's Defence Minister Safar Abiyev said should Nagorno-Karabakh conflict not be settled peacefully, Azerbaijan may take other ways to liberate its occupied territory. "Azerbaijan will not stand the Armenian occupation any more," Abiyev said on 4 August, receiving Pakistan's newly appointed Ambassador to Azerbaijan Abdul Hamid. Hamid said Pakistan is one of the countries which were the first to recognize the independent statehood of Azerbaijan. "Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan," said Ambassador.
Azerbaijan returned four Armenian captives to Armenia on 4 August, ArmInfo reported. The transfer procedures took place in the Nakhchivan direction of the Armenian and Azerbaijani border at 12.20PM on 4 August. The transfer took place as result of the talks of the sides. Armenian citizens, including Vanik Zmboyan (Gavar), Artem Zograbyan (Noraduz), Karen Torosyan (Noraduz) and Agasi Yenkoyan (Noraduz) were caught by Azerbaijan in the early hours of 19 April. At present the relevant statement is prepared for the media at the Defense Ministry, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend . The Defense Ministry has not revealed details, yet. The International Committee of the Red Cross did not participate in the Armenians' transfer process, because Azerbaijan and Armenia did not appeal with the request of mediation and held operation themselves.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babajan stated his country supports the mediation of Minsk Group on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "We support peace settlement with the co-chairmanship of the United States, Russia and France," Babajan said at a press conference in Ankara on 4 August. Babajan did not answer whether ongoing occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia would affect Turkey's admission to the European Union. He mentioned there is another format of settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, i.e. Minsk Group's work. Minister said Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia's Serzh Sargsyan negotiated in June. Babajan hoped for progress to result from the negotiations. "Demographic structure of the region and the events which has taken place in recent five-ten years must be taken into account during settling of the conflict. We support peace settlement of the Karabakh conflict with the mediation of the Minsk Group and hope the countries will achieve an agreement," said Babajan.
Director of the Europe programme at the International Crisis Group Sabine Freizer believes it would be expedient to replace France, which is a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group engaged in settling of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, by the European Union. "I believe that the EU can play a greater role in assisting reduce tensions in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. When the chairmanship of the current French representative ends, I would recommend that the French Minsk Group position be handed over to an EU representative," Freizer said to Trend on 5 August. Armenia occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by representatives of the United States, Russia and France is the intermediary for peace settlement of the conflict. According to Freizer, ideally the three representatives in the Minsk Group should be high level political officials if we expect that they are going to have any political influence over the process. "But on the other hand, it makes no sense to expect that a solution to the NK conflict is going to be come from the outside. Azerbaijan and Armenia, their political leadership and their people, will eventually need to agree to a compromise. This will only happen when they come to the conclusion that compromise is better than more fighting," she said. "I still believe that the current formula on the table is the best one possible: return of seven occupied districts to NK, full withdrawal by forces from Armenia, refugee/IDP return to all areas including NK, normalization of the situation, determination of NK's ultimately status postponed until all people can participate fully in a democratic process. Once withdrawal begins and refugee return starts the deadlock in the negotiations process will be broken and tensions diminish," said Freizer.
The Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh considers that on the eve of the presidential elections, some forces in Azerbaijan spread information of provocative character in the connection with the situation which arose around solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"The purpose of spreading information of provocative character in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is to reach the recognition of legitimacy of the present government of Armenia in the international level and inside country itself," Head of the Azerbaijan Community, Nizami Bahmanov, told Trend on 6 August. Russian press reports that the leadership of the Azerbaijan Community of Nagorno-Karabakh was moved to Khojavend region, which is located on the front line, and the process of the returning internally displaced persons commenced. The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasus began in 1988 due to territorial claims by Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia has occupied 20% of the Azerbaijani land including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding Districts. Since 1992, these territories have been under the occupation of the Armenian Forces. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, France and USA) are currently holding peaceful negotiations. Bakhmanov did not confirm information on removal of the office of the Azerbaijan Community of Nagorno-Karabakh to Khjavend region, which is located on the front line with Armenia. "In Khjavend region, which is situated on the front line and controlled by the Azerbaijan army, there are settlements for the internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh and other regions occupied, and at present, in accordance with the order of the President, new settlement is built there. Some forces, after seeing this, spread information on removal of the Azerbaijan Community of Nagorno-Karabakh to the front line," the Head of Community said. In the opinion Bahmanov, the settlements, built near the front line for the internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh and other regions occupied, can be considered the component part of "great return". Bahmanov noted that the compact settling of the internally displaced persons will simplify return to the territories freed from the occupation: "Some forces, which desire to help Armenia, attempt to form opinion about the fact that supposedly the Armenians freed occupied territories, and remained only the return of IDPs. This is provocation," he said.