TODAY.AZ / Politics

Ali Hasanov: Kazan meeting showed once more that one must talk to Armenia more strictly, exert pressure on it

30 June 2011 [12:12] - TODAY.AZ
APA’s interview with Chief of Socio-Political Department of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov.
How do you assess Kazan meeting of Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents?

It is not worth speaking about success. But anyway, every meeting and the issue discussed there, the approach of the sides, is an extra factor, opportunity to prove the non-constructive position of the Armenian side, and the Azerbaijani side uses this opportunity. Armenian President’s approach to this issue, non-constructive position in the recent meeting showed that Armenia is not ready, or does not want to solve Nagorno Karabakh problem in line with the norms of the international law. It showed the presidents of the US, France and Russia, the co-chairs representing these countries once more that one must talk to this country more strictly, exert stricter pressure on it, set forth the norms of the international law more resolutely. The Armenian side was not sincere, constructive in the talks, their insincerity, non-constructive position prevent the negotiations from getting off the ground.

Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Thomas Melia, who visited Baku some days ago, said “the state of human rights in Azerbaijan can be and must be better”...

I met with Thomas Melia at the Presidential Administration. His views, the information he had about Azerbaijan were discussed. We exchanged views on several issues. The discussions were held in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation. Of course, his views contained some points that did not satisfy us, proper replies were given in connection with them. I also informed him about the position of the Azerbaijani government concerning the information that he did not have, or the unilateral reports that he had. I think we will continue cooperation with the present US Administration, Department of State and other agencies in accordance with the spirit of the US-Azerbaijan relations.

By the way, in the Trafficking in Persons Report 2011 the US Department of State placed Azerbaijan on list of the countries not complying with minimum standards for elimination of trafficking, but making significant efforts towards this…

The Western countries have own methodical approaches and measures for the assessment of the processes and steps. Azerbaijan has approaches with little different standards and measures. For example, our approaches and methodological assessment coincides with the approaches and methods of other post-soviet countries. But in comparison with the West, of course, there are certain differences. Therefore all of these are natural cases. Azerbaijan may not meet US and EU standards in certain fields. But it doesn’t mean that the work is not going on in Azerbaijan or it should be rejected. I don’t see any refusal in the report you mentioned. Simply, they expect higher results and approaches. We observe the issues within the opportunities of Azerbaijan and try to reach those standards.

Do you watch the activity of the Public Chamber? What can you say about the current state of this organization?

I explained my opinion about the activity of this organization, which is called as the Public Chamber, several times. Someone understand it, someone explain it unkindly. I know some people there, and I am confident in their opportunities to make intelligent decision. But it doesn’t concern all of the people gathered there. There are various people there. The main principle of forming the organization called as the Public Chamber is as if radical anti-government position. Every radical anti-government person can not make intelligent and optimal decision about the vital political issues. There is serious emotional atmosphere in this organization. The people, who don’t make way for each other and hate one another, have gathered in this organization. Only thing united this people is their anti-government hate. It is impossible to establish the policy on the basis of anti-government hate. It is difficult for the people, who don’t accept opinions and thoughts of each other, to come together to make an optimal decision. Even the parties, which united the people with similar thoughts, face difficulties to make optimal decisions. The people with different ideas and thoughts can not make good decision because they have only anti-government position. This issue always raises doubts of sociologists and scientists. Therefore I consider that it is not worth to discuss this organization. The most objective and intelligent decision they can make is to dismiss this organization and to work as the public institution, which improves the activity of the political parties.

What is new about the government-opposition dialogue, which is put on agenda from time to time?

Such dialogues are regularly conducted in all countries, particularly in the countries with multi-party systems. These dialogues are conducted within the law, in civil form and in the parliamentary level. There is such dialogue in Azerbaijan too. Members of the parties represented in the parliament discuss the laws on public, political and cultural life of Azerbaijan, domestic and foreign policy of the country every day. Sometimes such dialogues take place within the framework of different events, forums, conferences and workshops. Azerbaijan is not Afghanistan, where Taliban fighting against the government throws down arms and begins dialogue with the government. Azerbaijan is a civil and democratic country. The dialogues can be conducted at the parliament and other higher forums here. If a group of radicals isolate themselves from these processes, it doesn’t mean that there is no dialogue.

How do you comment on the situation around the non-consent to Bloomberg agency’s Armenian photographer Diana Markosyan’s arrival in Baku?

Every media organization – international, transnational, or mass media representing any country – any information agency, its journalist must respect the rules, norms of the country they visit. The above mentioned agency addressed the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance that their journalists needed in accreditation to arrive in the country. This photo journalist was refused in accreditation. The reason of refusal was that special measures must be taken in the country for security of a person with this surname and etc. It was also noted that the MFA couldn’t conduct these measures in a short time. Then they were proposed to change the photo journalist and send another one. That mass media organization had enough choices and could send another photo journalist. But their insistence in sending just this journalist is a humiliation against the country’s rules and us. We can not accept it. The journalists must observe the rules of the country which they visit. Azerbaijani citizens, including journalists can not get visa for months for visiting any foreign country. Moreover they never explain the reason of non-giving visa to them. They shortly say that it is their right, if they want they will give it, if they want, they won’t. I think that if Bloomberg releases any statement on this issue, they must not forget our country’s national rights and rules.

It will be interesting to know your position on detainment of persons who beat American journalist and British human right activist in Baku, as well as critiques written by some newspapers on this issue.

The position on this issue is clear. Unfortunately, the opposition and some circles tried to impose upon this issue. The criminogenic situation in Azerbaijan is stabile today. The commitment of any illegal action against any citizen in any country is not an exception. No countries, including Azerbaijan, are insured from such or other criminals, or crime incident. For example any juvenile or other person can commit hooliganism at 00.30 at the street in Azerbaijan. But the operational efficiency of the Azerbaijani police showed that such cases are seriously approached in Azerbaijan. It was proved that there is neither political nor other motive. It is nothing but that the act of a group of youth. It was proved once again that Azerbaijani government seriously approaches to the security of either its citizens or foreigners. The rumors, some writings on freedom of speech and press are false, Azerbaijani government’s purposes in this sphere are clear and sincere.

Does the Presidential Administration consider measures on the occasion of 136th anniversary of National Press Day? For example, will the one-time aids be allocated to the newspapers?

The government doesn’t consider allocation of one-time aid to the newspapers from the state budget this year. Such kind of aids is allocated in the anniversary years of the National Press Day.


/APA/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/89465.html

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