Author: nina hovnanian

IRAN-BASED ARMENIAN MP: ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IS EMIGRATING

Karen Khandlaryan, member of parliament of the Islamic Republic of
Iran said today in Yerevan that the latest presidential elections
in Iran recorded an unprecedented result. Before elections, three
main forces in Iran, fundamentalists, extremists and reformists,
launched an active campaign.

The election preparations showed that the Iranian people tie the
solution of their economic issues to the elections. According to him,
the expectation to solve economic issues is big now too, which was
the ground that the programs of all candidates were of social-economic
direction.

The election turnout was 73%, of which 51 voted reformist Hasan
Rohani. According to Karen Khanlaryan, democracy in Iran has a
national character, though it is a universal value, it is still
adapted to traditional characteristics. In this sense, democracy is
called religious democracy in Iran.

The emigration of Armenian community of Iran is still continuing.

According to the Armenian MP, the emigration is determined by
social-economic issues. Armenians are leaving for Western countries,
including Canada and others.

The Armenian community has already presented its requests to the
president. The first one is the recognition and condemnation of the
Armenian genocide, as well as allocation of offices regarding issues
of national minorities in the executive power.

He says the most important issue for the Armenian community is the
recognition of the Armenian genocide.

12:35 03/07/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

BUSINESS OR BROTHERHOOD?: RUSSIAN ARMS SUPPLIES TO AZERBAIJAN TRIGGER ARMENIAN BACKLASH

KARABAKH | 03.07.13 | 09:41

Photo:

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

The sale by Russia of offensive weapons to Azerbaijan caused a wave
of discontent in Armenia. What particularly angered many local
politicians and experts was the sale of Smerch rocket launchers,
which are considered to be one of the deadliest weapons.

First Armenian political analysts and experts loyal to Russia had
to prove that nothing bad had happened and that Russia did have the
right to sell arms to Azerbaijan, as it gives Armenia weapons almost
for free.

Then Russia’s Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and
Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuzha had to come to Armenia to assure partners
in Yerevan that the sale of arms to Azerbaijan was pure business and
that in order to “maintain the balance” Russia was also arming Armenia.

Not all in Armenia, however, were convinced and some experts and
politicians began to even express opinions through media that Armenia
should undertake symmetrical measures by refusing to continue to
host the Russian military base, declaring about its withdrawal from
the CSTO and moving to terminate its agreement on strategic alliance
with Russia.

But the most remarkable thing is that this time around discontent
was also raised in Karabakh. Independent Karabakh MP Vahan Badasyan
made a tough statement, accusing the Armenian authorities of allowing
themselves to become too much dependent on Russia to the degree that
Moscow now determines the policy of Armenia in the Karabakh issue.

Then, in an interview with karabakh-open.info first commander of
the Karabakh Self-Defense Forces (1990-91) Arkady Karapetyan accused
Russia of preparing a ‘new genocide’ of Armenians in Karabakh.

Describing the combat characteristics of Smerch systems, Karapetyan
said he did not want to sit and wait until Azerbaijan uses this lethal
weapon against his family. He said that Russia must choose – either
business or brotherhood. And if it chooses business over brotherhood,
let the Russians pay for the military base in Armenia, he emphasized.

On July 2, in Yerevan, during the presentation of the revised
version of the book ‘Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan Between
Peace and War’ an interesting polemic took place between its author,
senior associate at the Washington Carnegie Endowment specializing
in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Thomas de Waal and Director of the
Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan.

“After the accumulation of a certain quantity and quality of weapons
on both sides of the conflict the resumption of hostilities becomes
unlikely. Accumulation of arms triggers the mechanism of deterrence
based on threat. In this respect, I do not agree with Thomas de Waal
that the likelihood of renewed hostilities has increased, on the
contrary, it is decreasing,” said Iskandaryan.

De Waal, in his turn, stressed that along with the process of
accumulation of arms tensions are rising in the region, which at
one point will get out of control, as it happened during the First
World War.

Meanwhile, active citizens in Armenia are now discussing questions
like: will the asymmetrical armament of Azerbaijan and Armenia by
Russia lead to renewed hostilities and why the Armenian leadership
does not express a tough stance on the matter?

WITH SUPPORT OF ORANGE FOUNDATION, NEW AGRICULTURAL PROJECT LAUNCHED IN BERDAVAN VILLAGE, TAVUSH REGION

12:20 03/07/2013 ” ECONOMY

With the joint efforts of the Orange Foundation and “Shen” charitable
organization, from now on a new agricultural project has begun in
Berdavan village of Tavush region. The project uses the consumer
cooperative model and will allow more than 40 families living in the
village to get better results joining their efforts and reward all
participants proportionally to their personal investment.

To support the newly created “Berdavan” cooperative in the village,
Orange Foundation has donated agricultural machinery, including a
tractor, a motor cultivator and tiller, and pesticide sprayers.

Professional trainings were organized for the inhabitants, as well as
links were established with food processing companies, to facilitate
the operation of the new consumer cooperative and the realization
of the harvest. The water supply system will also be improved. The
village is traditionally specialized in the culture of the peach,
and according to estimations, thanks to this donation and the
implementation of the new agricultural model, farmers will multiply
by at least 2 times the harvest of next year.

“The problems of the Armenian villages, especially the ones that are
located at the very border of the country, are at the center of the
attention of the Orange Foundation. We have been participating in
equipping gyms, computer rooms or schools but this is the first time
we are involved in this kind of initiative. We really want to see soon
the results and the changes our investment will make in this village.

We are happy to celebrate today the beginning of a new start in this
village,” said Francis Gelibter, Chairman of the Orange Foundation.

“This project is the beginning of our big project aiming at stimulating
high yield agriculture in the remote and vulnerable communities, which
we are sure will lead to increase of revenue for people and decrease
of emigration”, added Hayk Minasyan, Chairman of Board of the “Shen”
Charitable NGO.

Orange Foundation has allotted overall 12,921,000 AMD for the
realization of the project.

Source: Panorama.am

ARMENIAN PM IN AWKWARD SITUATION – NEWSPAPER

July 03, 2013 | 06:33

YEREVAN. – There is a “parade” of ministerial press conferences in
Armenia on Tuesday and Wednesday, Zhoghovurd daily reports.

“The occasion for meeting with journalists is to present clarifications
on the [recent] CC [i.e., Chamber of Control] report [on the misuse
of the state budget], which [i.e., the press conferences] they are
holding upon the instruction of PM Tigran Sargsyan.

“But the head of the executive found self in an awkward situation
yet again. The CC report was discussed in the relevant departments,
ninety percent of the ministers had signed under the reports,
acknowledged his fault, and eliminated the infringements by paying
for ‘the damage caused to the state budget as a result of additions’
and sent the proof of payment to CC,” Zhoghovurd writes.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ICG: ESCALATION IN ARMS RISE INCREASES TENSION BETWEEN ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN

11:22 ~U 03.07.13

Tensions are running high between Azerbaijan and Armenia with further
escalation in arms race, according to the International Crisis Group

In its latest report devoted to the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh,
the organization addresses the Russian weaponry sale to Azerbaijan
and the sporadic ceasefire violations on the Line of Contact with
Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan 19 June announced delivery of $1bn worth of sophisticated
Russian weaponry including nearly 100 top-line T-90 tanks,
sophisticated rocket launchers, self-propelled artillery units.

President Aliyev 26 June presided over huge military parade in Baku
which also featured air fighter sorties and demonstrated new drone
capabilities, pledged if necessary to re-take all lost territory as
well as Armenian lands. Unconfirmed Armenian defence ministry source
countered by claiming Armenia is guarded with long-range offensive
missile systems capable of hitting any target in Azerbaijan; unclear
if claim referred to Russian systems delivered directly to Armenian
armed forces or to Russian forces in Armenia. Also on 26 June, head of
Russian CSTO-led military bloc and Russian NSC chief visited Yerevan
to sign upgraded defence pact, pledged arms and more support. Truce
continues to be violated with sporadic clashes, shooting. OSCE Special
Representative for Conflicts 12 June warned that simmering conflict
between the two may explode; voiced continuing concern Armenia might
attempt to launch regularly scheduled fixed-wing air flights between
Yerevan and Karabakh, causing near certain Azerbaijani reaction; also
lamented reluctance of leaders to hold another bilateral meeting to
diffuse tensions. OSCE attempts to jump-start talks in June failed
according to OSCE Minsk Group sources cited by media. US, French
and Russian presidents whose countries co-chair mediation efforts
18 June expressed regret over impasse in talks; called for sides to
re-activate efforts to reach settlement,” reads the report.

Armenian News – Tert.am

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS COMPLAINED TO ASHTON ABOUT THE EU DELEGATION IN ARMENIA

10:11, 3 July, 2013

YEREVAN, 2 JULY, ARMENPRESS: Several Members of European Parliament
expressed concerns to High Representative of the European Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton about the
activities of EU delegation in Armenia.

“Armenpress” reports calling the official website of European
Parliament that such concerns expressed MEPs from Spain Jose Ignacio
Salafranca and Lithuanian MEP Laima Andrikiene. In the letter Jose
Ignacio Salafranca has written:

“With regard to the excellent level of relations established between
the European Union and Armenia, which will soon be consolidated with
the signing of the Association Agreement between the two parties,
I should like, first of all, to highlight the enormous progress that
has been achieved in the last two years.

Furthermore, Parliament has displayed, in various resolutions, its
support for the superb initiative to deploy in this country the EU
Advisory Group, which has played a defining role in this progress.

However, since the beginning of 2012, the constant interference
from the European Union Delegation in Armenia, and the deliberate
marginalisation of national institutions from decision making,
in complete contradiction to the philosophy and legal basis of the
project, are seriously undermining the effectiveness of this excellent
cooperation format.

In addition, this unacceptable attitude, which is not representative
of the admirable level of understanding reached with this country,
is generating a profound sense of unease in the Head of Government,
as well as in the Armenian Parliament, which could affect all of
our relations.

What measures does the European External Action Service (EEAS) intend
to take in order to contain this situation and regain the trust of
the Armenian institutions?

How does it intend to instruct the European Union Delegation in
Armenia so as to avoid similar actions which completely contradict
the spirit of our relations?

What actions is the Commission proposing in order to re-establish the
legitimate involvement of the Armenian authorities in the decision
making of the EU Advisory Group, and how could this effective
cooperation tool be strengthened?”

Lithuanian deputy said the following:

“As a Member of the European Parliament and a Euronest Parliamentary
Assembly committee Chair who closely monitors EU-Armenia relations,
I am very pleased with the progress made by this South Caucasus
country, and aware of the important role that the EU Advisory Group
to the Republic of Armenia has played in it. I have witnessed the
contribution made by this important cooperation project in the last
three years, and Parliament has underlined its support for the EU
Advisory Group in four resolutions adopted during the current term.

I am also well aware of the importance accorded to this project by
Armenian state institutions and of the high level of interaction they
now have with the advisers in the EU Advisory Group.

However, I have learned from our Armenian colleagues that during
the last 12 months the EU Delegation has deliberately excluded
Armenian state institutions from the decision-making process for
this agreement-driven project, a situation that is contrary not only
to the spirit of our relations but also to the legal base of the EU
Advisory Group.

This unacceptable and erratic management by the EU Delegation, which
does not correspond to the level of understanding reached with Armenia,
has resulted in the loss of all the key advisers in the EU Advisory
Group and created worrisome and unnecessary discontent in Armenian
state institutions, which could undermine our wider relations.

1. What remedial action is the Commission going to take to stop this
situation and genuinely involve Armenian state institutions once
again in the EU Advisory Group’s decisionâ~@~Pmaking process?

2. How is the Commission going to monitor the EU Delegation’s
management of this flagship project in order to avoid such
irresponsible actions, which are absolutely contrary to the spirit
of our friendly relations?

3. How can this effective cooperation tool be reinforced?”.

The response of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton runs as follows:
“The HR/VP fully shares the view that EUAG has been an excellent
cooperation instrument in the EU relations with Armenia.

The HR/VP would like to assure you that there has been no intended
suppression or restriction of advisory support. The mandate of the EU
Delegation in the management and oversight of the project is clearly
defined, as is the role of UNDP as the implementing partner. In case
currently perceived problems, mentioned in the honourable member’s
question, would persist, the HR/VP would be grateful for these being
brought again to her attention.

The HR/VP would also like to re-assure you that in view of forthcoming
new stage of relations between EU and Armenia, governed by the
Association Agreement, the EU plans to further increase its advisory
support to the Armenian side in the framework of the project. As
an example, an additional seconded post of advisor to the National
Assembly has been published in order to assist the Armenian parliament
in increasing its institutional capacities to tackle the task of
approximation with EU legislation.

Regarding the legitimate and appropriate involvement of the Armenian
authorities in the management of the project, it is assured in the
framework of the Advisory Board of the EU Advisory Group. It is the
project body when involves the beneficiaries directly in the decision
making. The board meets on a quarterly basis and its decisions are
considered mandatory. Within its framework, the beneficiaries have
been consistently consulted on reports, work plans and have also
participated in the selection committees of advisors.”

The EU Advisory Group is to assist the Armenian authorities in the
preparation of a process to negotiate, conclude and implement an
Association Agreement with the European Union, including setting up
a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA

HISTORICAL ARMENIAN HOUSES OF MUSH ARE BEING DESTROYED

10:37, 3 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENRPESS. The Housing Development Administration
of Turkey (TOKÄ°) has begun the destruction of the historical Armenian
houses in Kale district of the city of Mush. As reports “Armenpress”,
Armenian periodical “Agos” stated this.

In accordance with the new Turkish project it is considered to destroy
about 500 houses and build 770 new houses instead of them. It is
also stated that the current dwellers refuse to take the money
provided by the Housing Development Administration of Turkey and
leave the houses. Notwithstanding, responding their complaints the
representatives of the Housing Development Administration of Turkey
announced that they will destroy the houses either way and if the
residents do not leave the houses on their own accord, then all their
things will appear under the ruins.

One of the residents of Kale district Erjan Chetin stated that they
do not want to leave the houses, which was built 148 years ago. “My
house costs millions, but instead TOKI will give only a one-roomed
or two-roomed flat,” the Kale resident noted. Also he underscoredthat
the municipality representatives threatened him to leave the house.

Previously, an electronic petition has been launched in Turkey to
prevent the destruction of the historical Armenian houses in Mush.

“The Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians are subjected to systematic
massacre.

The process, launched by the Armenian Genocide of 1915, is now
continued as a cultural and economic genocide. They aim at getting
maximum profit and destroying the collective memory,” the organizers
stated.

L’ARMENIE ET LA POLOGNE RESSERRENT LEURS LIENS

La visite du President Sarkissian en Pologne constitue le principal
sujet d’actualite. Lors d’un point de presse, le President armenien a
dit avoir discute avec son homologue Bronislaw Komorowski d’un large
eventail de questions bilaterales et internationales. Il a fait part
de son ” admiration ” face aux progrès economiques de la Pologne,
exprimant, dans le meme temps, son insatisfaction quant au volume
des echanges commerciaux entre les deux pays. Il a dit esperer que
la commission intergouvernementale armeno-polonaise et la Chambre de
commerce Armenie-Pologne contribueront au developpement des echanges.

M. Sarkissian a par ailleurs dit avoir discute du rapprochement de
l’Armenie avec l’UE et du Partenariat oriental, dont la Pologne est
l’un des pays initiateurs.

Par ailleurs, lors de la conference de presse, le chef de l’Etat
armenien a fustige l’Azerbaïdjan et la Turquie, regrettant que, pour
certains pays de la region, l’Europe soit seulement un marche et
non un système de valeurs. Il a regrette qu’un pays [l’Azerbaïdjan]
qui dit avoir opte pour l’amarrage europeen glorifie un assassin,
menace d’abattre les avions civils et de declencher une guerre contre
un peuple qui vit sur sa terre historique depuis des siècles. L’autre
voisin de l’Armenie, la Turquie, qui aspire egalement a devenir membre
de l’UE, avait ferme sa frontière avec l’Armenie depuis les premiers
jours de l’independance de celle-ci.

Serge Sarkissian a par ailleurs evoque les relations armeno-russes,
qu’il a decrites comme ” strategiques “. L’Armenie et la Russie sont
membres de l’OTSC et sont liees par une cooperation très etroite en
termes militaires, techniques et economiques. De surcroît, c’est en
Russie que vit la plus grande communaute armenienne dans le monde,
dont les representants sont très respectes. ” Nous n’avons jamais fait
d’action allant a l’encontre de la Russie et ne le ferons pas. Nous
construisons notre politique non pas en fonction du principe ” ou-ou
“, mais en fonction du principe ” et-et “.

A l’occasion de cette visite, plusieurs documents ont ete signes entre
les gouvernements d’Armenie et de Pologne en matière de communication,
de cooperation dans le domaine de l’agriculture, de lutte contre la
fraude douanière et d’environnement.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 26 juin 2013

mercredi 3 juillet 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

UN SUSPECT CLE DANS L’ENQUETE SUR L’ASSASSINAT DE HRANT DINK ARRETE EN TURQUIE

Un suspect cle dans l’enquete sur l’assassinat du journaliste turc
d’origine armenienne et militant des droits de Hrant Dink a ete
arrete dans la province de Trabzon sur la mer Noire a signale le
journal turc Hurriyet.

Selon le journal, après l’arrestation d’Ersin Yolcu le procès doit
recommencer debut septembre selon une decision de la Cour supreme.

L’arrestation de Yolcu a ete realisee après que la Cour supreme ait
infirme le jugement a sa liberation de prison. L’homme est maintenant
encore detenu dans la prison de Trabzon, en attendant le second procès.

Yolcu avait ete condamne a 12 ans et six mois de prison, mais a
ete libere en 2010 après que le tribunal ait juge qu’il n’y avait
pas suffisamment de preuves prouvant qu’il etait un ” membre d’une
organisation terroriste “. Il etait avec un autre suspect cle,
Ahmet Iskender.

mercredi 3 juillet 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

L’OPPOSITION EN AZERBAIDJAN FAIT-ELLE PEUR AU CLAN ALIYEV ?

L’Azerbaïdjan n’a pas eu une election presidentielle concurrentielle
depuis Aboulfaz Elchibey a ete elu au pouvoir en 1992. Mais les forces
politiques de l’opposition du pays espèrent changer cela lorsque
les electeurs se rendront aux urnes en Octobre. Le mois dernier, la
majorite de l’opposition du pays s’est reuni pour former un conseil
national, dirige par l’ecrivain Rustam Ibragimbekov, 74 ans, qui a
remporte une recompense academique en 1995 pour son script pour le
film russe ” Burnt by the Sun “.

Le Conseil national comprend le Parti Musavat, le Parti du Front
populaire d’Azerbaïdjan Ali Kerimli, le Mouvement El, le Parti de
la solidarite civile, le Parti pour une societe ouverte de l’ancien
president du parlement Rasul Quliyev, et environ 15 autres partis.

Cette evolution, explique un analyste politique de Bakou Huseynbala
Salimov, a capte l’attention internationale et celle du gouvernement
azerbaïdjanais.

” Dans le passe, l’opposition a ete limite a des groupes marginalises
inacceptables et russophobes. Maintenant, tout d’un coup, un laureat,
un homme qui a reussi, a rejoint l’opposition. Par consequent,
le gouvernement est preoccupe ” a dit Salimov. ” Avouons-le, ni
l’Occident, ni l’Iran, ni la Russie n’ont jamais montre un interet
serieux dans l’opposition avant. Maintenant, il y a la possibilite
que cet interet puisse apparaître “.

Ibragimbekov (aka Ibrahimbeyov) etait a Washington la semaine dernière,
où il a tenu des reunions avec des fonctionnaires et des membres du
Congrès et du departement d’Etat. Ibragimbekov a declare a RFE /
RL qu’il tentait de sensibiliser le Conseil national a Washington
et a contrer les efforts deployes par le gouvernement du president
Ilham Aliyev de le depeindre comme un outil de Moscou.

Resister au changement

Aliyev, dont la famille a preside le pays depuis que son père a aide
a evincer Elchibey dans un coup en 1993, est largement pressenti
pour briguer un troisième mandat lors de l ‘election du 16 octobre
et a deja ete propose par son parti au pouvoir Yeni Azerbaidjan
(Nouvel Azerbaïdjan).

Ces derniers mois, le gouvernement a pris plusieurs mesures visant a
contrôler le processus electoral. Il a abaisse le statut de la mission
europeeenne de l”Organisation pour la securite et la cooperation a
Bakou, peut-etre comme un prelude a l’interdiction des observateurs
electoraux europeens.

Il a reprime les ONG, en arretant des militants et en accusant le
bureau local de l’Institut National Democratique finance par les
Etats-Unis de soutenir une ” revolution Facebook ” en Azerbaïdjan.

Et le 6 juin Aliyev a signe une loi très critiquee subordonnant les
points de vues diffamatoires ou offensants sur Internet passible de
trois ans de prison. S’adressant aux journalistes lors d’une conference
de presse a Bruxelles le 21 Juin, Aliyev a defendu le bilan de son
gouvernement. Il a dit qu ‘” il n’y a pas de prisonniers politiques
en Azerbaïdjan, si vous lisez attentivement les commentaires après
la session de l’Assemblee parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe,
qui ce Janvier, a rejete le rapport sur les prisonniers politiques
en Azerbaïdjan. Je pense que ce chapitre est clos “.

Le 19 Juin, Human Rights Watch a publie une declaration disant que
” depuis Mars 2012, les autorites ont arrete ou condamne au moins
22 militants politiques, des journalistes, des blogueurs de medias
sociaux, des defenseurs des droits de l’homme, et d’autres qui
critiquaient le gouvernement. Rien que cette annee, des personnes
ont ete inculpees ou condamnees dans 16 cas “. Aliyev a egalement
rejete les allegations que les autorites interfèrent avec l’accès
a l’information provenant de l’exterieur ou a l’interieur de
l’Azerbaïdjan, en disant : ” nous avons un Internet libre, et le
nombre d’utilisateurs d’Internet en Azerbaïdjan est de plus de 70
pour cent et il n’y a pas de censure “.

L’opposition cherche un challenger serieux Le Conseil national a
evolue lentement depuis sa fondation le 28 mai. Son programme comprend
une nouvelle constitution avec la decentralisation du pouvoir et des
contrepoids, un gouvernement parlementaire, et de nouvelles elections
legislatives en 2015. Le gouvernement a minimise l’importance du
corps unifie, en esperant qu’il allait faillir comme les tentatives
passees d’unir l’opposition. Les journaux gouvernementaux produisent
quotidiennement des articles critiquant le Conseil national et rejetant
Ibragimbekov comme un politique amateur.

Dans un discours devant un rassemblement du YAP, le 7 Juin, Aliyev
n’a pas mentionne le Conseil national, mais a accuse l’opposition en
general de suivre ” les ordres donnes de l’etranger “.

” Ils sont prets a faire des concessions afin d’arriver au pouvoir
“a-t-il dit. Se referant au Haut-Karabagh, une region ethnique
armenienne de l’Azerbaïdjan qui a ete independante de facto depuis
1994, Aliyev a declare que l’opposition ” est pret a presenter le
Karabagh a l’Armenie “.

Le vice-president du YAP Ali Ahmadov a dit a une agence de presse
locale cette semaine que le Conseil national etait ” un incident
ordinaire en Azerbaïdjan et ne porte aucune importance “. Il a predit
qu’il allait s’effondrer ” dans un court laps de temps “.

Dans les commentaires a RFE / RL, le Secretaire adjoint executif du
YAP Mubariz Gurbanli a fait echo a cette position : ” D’abord, je ne
crois pas qu’ils se mettront d’accord sur un candidat Deuxièmement,
meme s’ils sont d’accord, cela ne va pas produire un resultat majeur
pour le processus sociopolitique de l’election comme ils l’espèrent.

Rien ne va changer, peu importe qui ils designent “.

L’opposition peut unir ?

Dans les coulisses, Aliyev et son parti ne sont pas aussi optimistes.

Au cours des dernières semaines, Abbas Abbasov, un ancien initie qui
est base a Moscou, a lance quelques declarations très critiques sur
le regime Aliyev. Abbasov a servi comme vice-Premier ministre sous
Heydar Aliyev et est un personnage riche et influent dans la diaspora
azerie, et est un ami de Ibragimbekov. En plus de son influence,
les analystes le voient comme une source potentielle de financement
pour l’opposition.

Neanmoins, bien sue le Conseil National soit en negociations intenses
sur son candidat unique, il est loin d’etre certain que Ibragimbekov
sera approuve. Lors d’une reunion le 21 Juin, le groupe n’a pas reussi
a choisir un candidat commun.

Bien qu’il est populaire et bien connu en Azerbaïdjan comme une figure
culturelle, il a peu d’experience politique. En outre, il a passe
une grande partie de ces dernières annees a l’etranger, partageant
son temps entre Moscou, Bakou et la Californie. Il est secretaire
de l’Union des cineastes de Russie et president de la Confederation
des syndicats de cineastes qui reunit des organisations similaires
a travers l’ex-Union sovietique.

” Trop tôt pour le dire ”

Ibragimbekov n’a pas ouvertement dit qu’il voudrait etre le candidat
de l’opposition, et il ne s’est pas presente a Bakou depuis que
le Conseil national a ete fondee. Il a fait dire a Reuters dans une
interview recente qu’il ” n’aurait pas peur ” de se lancer si il etait
choisi. S’adressant a RFE / RL il a dit a propos de ses plans. ” J’ai
mon propre candidat a l’esprit. Nous allons en discuter. J’espère
qu’un seul candidat sera convenu. Plusieurs personnes veulent que je
sois le candidat. Il y a cinq ou six raisons pour lesquelles je ne
le voudrais pas ” a-t-il dit.

” Il est encore tôt pour moi de m’exprimer a ce sujet ” a-t-il ajoute.

” Je vais vous reveler mes raisons dans le temps. Mais pour plusieurs
raisons, il serait difficile pour moi de l’accepter “.

Le president du Conseil national executif Eldar Namazov a dit
qu’Ibragimbekov est attendu a Bakou a la fin du mois et qu’une decision
sera prise ensuite.

Gulaga Aslanli, chef adjoint du Parti Musavat, l’un des participants
les plus influents au Conseil national, a declare a RFE / RL que son
parti n’avait pas d’objection a soutenir Ibragimbekov.

Elkhan Shahinoglu, directeur du Centre d’etudes Atlas a Bakou,
affirme que certains au sein du Conseil National vont essayer de
pousser l’opposant de longue date Isa Qambar, qui etait le principal
candidat de l’opposition du Bloc Bizim Azerbaidjan (Notre Azerbaïdjan)
en 2003, comme choix du conseil .

Toutefois, en choisissant Ibragimbekov cela pourrait changer la facon
dont Aliyev et le YAP gerent les elections. ” Ibragimbekov est bien
connu non seulement en Azerbaïdjan, mais partout dans le monde. Les
autorites pourraient difficilement mener une campagne de chantage
contre lui ” a dit Shahinoglu. ” Il serait soutenu a Washington,
Moscou et les pays de l’Union europeenne. Ses ressources financières
augmentent aussi ses chances. Contrairement aux pauvres de l’opposition
en Azerbaïdjan Ibragimbekov peut financer sa propre campagne electorale
et le Conseil national. C’est très important, a l’heure actuelle “.

Mais les sceptiques notent que, meme avec Ibragimbekov sur le
bulletin de vote, l’Azerbaïdjan est bien loin de la Georgie voisine,
où le milliardaire Bidzina Ivanishvili a finance son propre mouvement
politique et l’a emporte sur le parti au pouvoir du president Mikheïl
Saakachvili lors des elections legislatives en octobre dernier.

Note de la redaction :

Robert Coalson a contribue a cet article a partir de Prague et Richard
Solash a contribue a partir de Washington.

mercredi 3 juillet 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com