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The cohesion currently demonstrated by Azerbaijan's generally
disparate opposition parties in their protest over the perceived falsification
of the results of the 6 November parliamentary elections was in stark contrast
to their disinclination to form a single opposition alignment to contest that
ballot. But despite that solidarity, significant divergences with regard to
tactics and strategy persist, and emerged clearly at the 26 November protest
that was dispersed by police with what one Azerbaijani journalist described
as "unimaginable cruelty." At the same time, the opposition is increasingly
embittered by the international community's failure to persuade the Azerbaijani
authorities to revise the election outcome.
The first mass protest in the wake of the 6 November ballot
brought together the leaders of the three opposition parties aligned in the
Azadlyq bloc -- Ali Kerimli of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party's (AHCP) progressive
wing, Isa Qambar (Musavat), and Sardar Djalaloglu (Democratic Party of Azerbaijan,
ADP) -- together with Lala Shovket Gadjieva of the National Unity movement.
Eldar Namazov, one of the co-founders of the opposition bloc Yeni Siyaset (YeS),
expressed support for that protest.
At the second and subsequent such protests, the Azadlyq leaders
were joined by Iskander Hamidov (whose National Democratic Party failed to win
representation in the new parliament); Mirmakhmud Miralioglu, chairman of the
conservative wing of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, joined them on the
podium at the fourth (26 November) rally, which was also attended by Ilgar Ibrahimoglu,
imam of the now closed Djuma Mosque, zerkalo.az reported on 29 November. But
while Azadlyq moved from demanding a revision of the preliminary election results
to demanding their annulment and the holding of new elections, Hamidov rejected
the latter proposal, reasoning that the authorities would almost certainly falsify
the outcome of the repeat vote too, according to echo-az.com on 22 November.
The Umid and Civic Solidarity parties, which are widely regarded
as fulfilling the role of a "tame" opposition, distanced themselves
on 25 November from a statement, allegedly signed by 800 failed would-be parliamentary
candidates, affirming that the 6 November ballot was free and fair, according
to echo-az.com on 26 November. Umid Chairman Iqbal Agazade rejected the claim
by Gusein Pashaev, a spokesman for the ruling Yeni Azerbaycan Party, that he
was one of an unspecified number of candidates from Umid, the AHCP, Musavat,
and the Communist Party of Azerbaijan who signed that statement.
But the opposition remains divided both over tactics and external
support. The disagreement over tactics surfaced on 26 November, when, as at
the preceding rally on 19 November, some participants carried banners calling
for establishing a tent camp on Gelebe Square, the rally venue. In the absence
of strong international backing, the opposition's options remain limited to
peaceful protest, unlawful protest, and the "constructive dialogue"
with the Azerbaijani authorities that Qambar continues to advocate.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders are clearly disappointed that
the international community has not been more vocal and effective in its support.
Qambar told journalists in Baku on 25 November that the opposition is no longer
counting on support from the West, although opposition leaders will continue
to hold what he termed "working meetings" with Western ambassadors,
echo-az.com reported.
But AMIP leader Aliyev advocated refraining for one week from
any contacts with those Western diplomats whose stance with regard to the election
outcome is "not objective," according to zerkalo.az on 24 November.
ADP First Deputy Chairman Djalaloglu was quoted on 25 November by zerkalo.az
as accusing the West of "betraying democracy [in Azerbaijan] at the last
minute."
The online daily commented that the international community's
failure to exert greater pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities to annul the
election results in more constituencies where opposition candidates won, but
were not officially acknowledged the winner, is likely to fuel both anti-Western
and, specifically, anti-U.S. sentiment.
Commentator Farkhad Mamedov, writing on 29 November in echo-az.com,
argued that the outcome of the ballot may undermine people's faith in "democracy,"
which, he continued, is a "Western concept, some aspects of which conflict
with the norms and values of Azerbaijani society."
Echoing statements made several months ago by young politicians
close to President Aliyev who advocated a "new model of statehood"
(see "RFE/RL Caucasus Report," 22 July 2005), Mamedov called for a
concept of statehood that would encompass such attributes as a market economy
and "social solidarity," and that would be oriented towards human
rights and freedoms and the needs of the individual.
Source:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
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