Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 November/ Trend , corr J. Babayeva/ Azerbaijani intellectuals prepared to mediate in a dialogue between government and opposition.
"One of the major goals of Azerbaijani intellectuals is to put an end to the enmity in government-opposition relations. We are always ready to mediate in government-opposition dialogue," chairman of Azerbaijan Intellectuals Union Eldaniz Guliyev said to Trend .
Prior to 2005 parliamentary election, governing party, pro-government party and opposition parties held several meeting through the mediation of the OSCE Baku office. Later the dialogue was not continued. Several opposition parties supported the candidate of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party in the 15 October presidential election. NAP's dialogue with these parties stands on the agenda once again after presidential election.
MP Siyavush Novruzov, deputy executive secretary of NAP said to Trend that the governing party is prepared to resume dialogue with opposition without any terms.
"The third party should assume responsibility for holding of dialogue. Neither government, nor the opposition should make the first step. Independent and progressive minded intellectuals can make the first step on one term. The dialogue should be without claims and terms and both parties should demonstrate a political will," he said.
The reason for the absence of dialogue is that each side views each other through black color. "Both government and opposition should be blamed for problems and political cataclysm in Azerbaijan. The dialogue is impeded by the fact that the sides do not accept each other and lack culture of dialogue. Government and opposition representatives can not communicate with each other in an appropriate way in events. But they make terms as to the issues of national interest," Guliyev added.
Guliyev said well-known public figures including leader of National Unity Movement Lala Shovkat, chairman of Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Ali Karimli, chairman of Musavat Party Isa Gambar, head of For Azerbaijan public forum Eldar Namazov and both government and opposition representatives should be involved in this dialogue. "The high rank officials of governing NAP should represent the government. Strange enough, governing party can not fully represent the government today," he said.
Guliyev hopes it would yield good results to benefit from Russia's experience in this sphere. "Russian Head of State often holds discussions with opposition representatives. Azerbaijani President can invite opposition leaders to hold open and frank conversation. I am sure that it can solve many problems," Guliyev noted.
Azerbaijan Intellectuals Movement has been set up in 2003 and registered by the Justice Ministry in 2007. The organization aims at protecting rights of Azerbaijani intellectuals and achieving reconciliation between government and opposition.
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