Azerbaijan, Baku, April 4 / Trend M. Aliyev /
The unauthorized rally of the radical opposition in Baku clearly proved that the opposition lacks social base. It cannot lead the society, Head of Department on Social and Political Issues of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Ali Hasanov, said in an interview with Trend.
"It was clear that the people, who protest against the authorities and are dissatisfied with the state power, did not not unite around the opposition, but stand against it," he said. "So, all statements of the opposition that the rally was a "success" or a "scaly demonstration against Ilham Aliyev's power" are empty words and fantasy.
Everyone witnessed it. What the opposition could achieve is that it showed its true essence. The opposition showed the public its essence as a destroyer and an offender of harmony of social and political life of Azerbaijan. It has no prospects. These attempts may be made once, twice, three times, several times. But one day one will have to answer for it before the law and they will. The opposition cannot be like this. The opposition's mission is not based on such activity. The struggle for power is not waged on its basis. One cannot oppose in this way."
He said the rally showed that the radical opposition in Azerbaijan has no significant social base and support. "The Azerbaijani authorities have sufficient support in the society," he said. "Baku residents do not support the radical opposition. This opposition is doomed to failure."
Hasanov does not exclude a role of external forces in the issue. "If we say that there are no foreign instigators of the Azerbaijani opposition, we will be wrong," he said. But these are not the EU countries, official U.S. Administration, other world countries or international organizations. It may be some forces not supporting the policy of the authorities. It may be some circles, wishing to exert pressure on Azerbaijan, as the country implements fully independent policy. The public policy is based on national interests, desires of the nation."
Hasanov said that Azerbaijan does not build its policy under any country's dictation but processing from its own national interests. "This may cause protest of certain foreign groups," he belives. They may be interested in changing the power in Azerbaijan. But, in general, this opposition does not have any serious social support within the country or serious support forces abroad."
With regard to possible dialogue between the sides, Hasanov said that it should be conducted with a healthy opposition. "As in any society, the Azerbaijani society has a need for such a dialogue, consultations and constant cooperation that we are carrying out," he said. There are political parties represented in the Parliament. There are other political forces interested in the peaceful development and progress of Azerbaijan, increase of the authority of the country in the international arena.
But it is difficult to conduct a dialogue with such radical forces. Regardless of what the authorities call for, they have certain orientation and interests. At present, it is difficult to conduct a dialogue with these radical forces. But there is the dialogue with the normal, healthy opposition. There is also the inter-party dialogue today and it will continue."