Authority and opposition in terms of system crisis

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- Nasimi bey, you must have read the article of Ali Hasanov. What do you think, what"s point in writing this article in the current situation? What does the article say?

- I"m regularly watching statements of government officials and opposition representatives on topical political issues. I"ve read the A. Hasanov"s article. First of all, I"d like to emphasize that Hasanov makes propaganda statements and grants interviews in terms of growth of political activity, so there is need in preparing the ground for some non-political steps the government is going to take. That"s once again.

It has to be kept in mind that Ali Hasanov"s main job responsibility is to delineate government statements, concerns and priorities of the authorities. Therethrough we learn about the real situation in the government and its steps to be taken. At the same time Hasanov is eager to prove that he is happily performing his tasks for the good of the country. At present, there are social-psychological tensions in society, concerns and contradictions. Some nuances are manifest in government"s decision-making.

When adjusted for changes in local, regional and international situations, the authorities are forced to reform the system of relations inside the country. However, it is not inconceivable that there are figures and groups inside the power unprepared for the said changes and opposing steps directed to destroying the traditional conjuncture. This suggests that A. Hasanov is one of key figures pretending to dictate directions, contents and type of relations between the authorities and the opposition.

- In his article Ali hasanov slings muck at the leader of the People"s Front Ali Kerimli. Why is Kerimli? Does this mean that Kerimli is most disrespected by the authorities or, instead, recognized as the single leader of the opposition?

- You"re quite right, the article primarily focuses on Ali Kerimli only. To tell the truth, an approach of this sort is not novel. Note that Ali Kerimli has for long been under fire of pro-goverrnmental mass media and propaganda bodies. Authorities" attitude toward Kerimli is univocal both in dark corridors of power and noisy viewing stands.

The top authorities are extremely angry and concerned about Kerimli"s political activity. To my thinking, the ley factor is that A. Kerimli is successive in his activity, has scores of followers in society, notable for his successful organizing skills, enjoys great sympathies of middle-ranking public employees and international support. Besides, harsh criticism and mentality of his speeches stir resentment of the government.

It is no mere coincidence that today most high-ranking oppositioninsts of Kerimli"s party are jailed. Rights of Kerimli and his followers are seriously infringed. As a rule, when amnesty and acts of pardon are announced by the authorities, the PPFA is repressed. Any man od sense realizes that the authorities" imitation policy in respect of the opposition has been over.

- Ali Hasanov is alleging that Ali Kerimli is eager to turn Azerbaijan into Syria. What can you say about it? Is this a threat, propaganda or attempt of security against any danger? Is this a desire to shuffle off somebody"s blame on Ali Kerimli?

-Any man watching interviews, statements and actions of Ali Kerimli knows that he is is strongly committed to the legal and peace political struggle. Neither he nor his Party members commit illegal actions or calls. That"s why it remains unclear why the opposition is criticized by the authorities. To all probability, in so doing the government tries to dissuade, disturb belief and weaken public activity of Kerimli and his followers.

Besides, the authorities are conducting propaganda preparations for implementation of an illegal plan against Kerimli. The probability remains that they are trying to intimidate him. For some reason or other legal statements and actions of Kerimli are fraught with government"s stern response while persons openly rubble-rousing, insulting and threatening, are not subjected to any persecutions by the authorities.

- At a time when ordinary people are talking about the power evolution, articles of this sort are faced with a mixed reception. Some say it is aimed to cause people"s dissatisfaction. What do think of it?

- It"d be premature to speak about any serious evolution or reforms in the country. There are no signs of any changes. The country is going through a legal crisis, social and economic difficulties, moral and psychological decline caused by the rule of the current authorities. To overcome difficulties, the authorities must radically change their previous policy. Some latest steps of the government are welcomed in society. There are expectations that relations between the authorities and the oppositions and inside society as a whole will be normalized.

If actions of the authorities in respect of the people are positive, it would be a major asset to the common cause. In particular, in considering that the authorities may get hurt from the growth of tensions in society, their approaches should be softer. Regretfully, the situation is reversed. An impression is that some people in power are seeking to espouse tensions.

- Allegations laid down in the article indicate certain differences among intra-power groupings or otherwise?

- The system of previous relations inside the power is highly disturbed which is due not only to differences between groupings. Main reasons of the controversial situation in the region are disastrous conditions of the population, growth of disgust and protests, reduction of income and concern over times to come. Even external and internal policy play a part in the matter. However, it is still unobvious that all the above would ever cause an intra-power crisis.

- The population is anxious about goings-on and manipulations in the political arena of Azerbaijan. People cannot grasp what is a real opposition. What is this going to lead to? How is it possible to overcome the crisis? What needs to be done to ensure righteous struggle between the opposition and the power?

- The key factor of negative political developments in our country is in the anti-democratic nature of management and the lack of pluralism. The political arena of society is closed for open activity. There are artificial obstacles on the way of political struggle through the use of legal and political methods. The problem is that no democratic elections are held in our country, so it is hard to speak about the power and the opposition in classical sense of a word.

Note that one group placed resources of the state under its own interests while another group struggles with the regime. That"s about the size of it. Note that forces seeking to retain power are obstructing the democratization of society and the conduct of democratic elections. In the meanwhile, another force protesting against the law and illegal approaches opposes the former.

Until the society is mobilized for peace changes, political institutions cannot overcome the disquietude and perplexity. It is essential to prepare the society for changes. Unless all social subjects, institutions and particular persons recognize their responsibility, moral, legal, social and political crisis in the country is likely to exacerbate. Positive changes are contingent upon free democratic elections and respect for human rights.