Azerbaijan, Baku / corr. Trend I.Alizade / The Chairman of the Musavat Party, Isa Gambar, said on 15 May in Baku that his party does not hold talks to create a faction or union.
Commenting on the information that the Musavat Party is holding negotiations with the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party, Sardar Jalaloglu, Open Society Party, Rasul Guliyev, President of Public Forum 'For Azerbaijan', Eldar Namazov and prosecuted ex-Health Minister, Ali Insanov, so as to create a faction to jointly participate in 2008 presidential elections, Gambar replied that the meetings amongst politicians and public figures has always been an ongoing one.
"We retain ties and hold talks with several of the mentioned persons. However, at present we are not holding any official talks or trying to establish a faction. Musavat does not have such an intention. This is because I do not consider it necessary to make such a hasty decision," he said. The Head of Musavat felt that the main point is to ensure a free and fair election. "If normal elections are organized in Azerbaijan, the number of candidates will not prevent the election process," Isa Gambar stated.
Touching upon the difference between Musavat and other parties represented in the Azadlyg faction with regards to the formation of the election commissions, Gambar said that over the last 10 years, they have been demonstrating their position to form the election commissions from democratic forces of Azerbaijan.
"The election commissions should be formed on an equal basis from both the members of the government and from the opposition," Gambar said.
Opposition Musavat Party was created at the beginning of 20th Century and re-established its activities in 1992. Isa Gambar was Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament in 1992-1993 and a candidate in 2003 presidential elections. The party is represented at the Parliament by 5 deputies.