“Daniel Fried, the U.S. Undersecretary of State on Europe and Asia, and Steven Mann, the chief adviser and special representative on Nagorno-Karabakh and Eurasian conflicts, held meetings with the Azerbaijani opposition leaders at the U.S. embassy in Azerbaijan on Thursday,” Asim Mollazada, the chairman of the Democratic Reforms Party, told Trend.
During the meetings the sides discussed preparations for the 6 November parliamentary elections in the country, particularly, exchanged opinions on activities of Azerbaijan’s political parties and work of local mass media.
Attending the event were Ali Karimli, the chairman of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan Party (PFAP-reformers), Sardar Jalaloglu, the first deputy chairman of the Democratic party, Eldar Namazov and Etibar Mammadov, the co-constitutors of the �Yeni Siyasat� (New Policy) election bloc, as well as Lala Shovkat Hajiyeva, the leader of the National Unity Movement.
According to Mollazada, he expounded the position of his party in the pre-election period and election problems.
In his remarks, Jalaloglu spoke about the extraordinary situation formed on the arrival day (17 October) of Rasul Guliyev, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party. He mentioned the censorship used by pro-governmental mass media, particularly AzTV, in regard to candidates.
In his turn, Mammadov reported about hindrances faced by candidates to deputies in the pre-election period, as well as gave overhaul information about violations of law, particularly, active involvement of local administrations into the elections and illegal use of state funds in the election campaign.
The U.S. State Department representatives voiced hope in holding of democratic and transparent elections in Azerbaijan, noting that they would develop a report on the pre-election situation at the end of the visit to Baku. The guests also promised to inform the Azerbaijani President about the issues raised by the opposition leaders.
The U.S. State Department representatives are also expected to meet with Elmar Mammadyarov, the Foreign Minister, Ramil Usubov, Interior Minister, Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, and media representatives.
The visit will be over on Friday.