"I am not in this process…" - “Everyone understands that something needs to be changed”

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- Dear Mr. Mehman, the Milli Mejlis was dismissed and February 9 was scheduled for the early elections. At present, political organizations, as well as individuals, make decisions about participation and boycotts. In your opinion, how to characterize the pre-election situation?

- I think there will be changes. Parliament will be formed quite differently. But there are still plenty of dark issues, and it is unclear how this formation will go. - What do you mean when you say there will be “changes”? – It is about the composition of the Milli Mejlis. The composition will change and more young people will come there. I think there will be a lot of people who are known in public and political life. This can create a new mood. In general, the pre-election atmosphere also shows that the situation is not standard. That is, not everything goes as a pre-determined process. Therefore, surprises can be expected. It should also be noted that the pre-election situation is no longer traditional. This is a reality.

- Do you consider this situation satisfactory?

- No. I do not consider the present or the previous situation satisfactory. For me, it is important to have free and fair elections. That is, it must be done. It is true that the authority will not make a compromise about it, they take precaution somewhat...

- Are you expected to participate in the parliamentary elections?

- No, no, I am not in the process. I am not interested in this.

- You have never been a candidate for deputy…

- No.

- It is interesting that why does Mehman Aliyev, a well-known man of weight in the country and abroad, not become a candidate?

- Because the parliament has not been independent to do something there. So I can do more and be more helpful in my own place than being there.

- How do you assess the opposition’s position on elections?

- This is a traditional situation. Usually in our county, while someone goes to the election, someone not. In this case, political organizations are changing their positions too. Sometimes, the PFPA is going to the elections (Parliament - Ed.), but Musavat is not going and vice versa, or all of them are boycotting the election - as in 2008. Or, as in 2013, they are going to the elections with single candidate. What I mean is that there are different formats.

- You said that young people will come to parliament...

- It is not about age. I would say different things will happen both on the side of the government and the opposition.

- It is understood from what you say that the government changes its team, the list of its deputies, and takes into account the requirements of modern times. The opposition employs traditional election tactics...

- In fact, the traditional tactic stems from the fact that the authorities’ approach to the elections is obvious, and that the election itself is held abruptly. And election procedures - legislation, composition of commissions, propaganda issues - do not create opportunities for normal competition. Therefore, an important part of the opposition is boycotting these processes. For example, if we look at the beginning of this year, we can see that the National Council and the Popular Front Party, which is the most powerful among the opposition parties, have represented itself. They took a more principled position and tried to hold an unauthorized rally on October 19. From that point of view, this line had to continue with an irreconcilable position. In this regard, their boycotting the election is comprehensible. Others may, in fact, use this opportunity to prove themselves in parliamentary format. With regard to Ali Insanov’s position, the force that was trying to gather around him was not fully formed. Therefore, they are not ready to join the process.

- You said that other opposition parties want to prove themselves by going to the elections, using the National Council’s boycott of the elections. What is your prognosis, will there be the real opposition parties in the parliament?

- Real opposition? Now generally the opposition, the real opposition lines and framework have been removed. Therefore, it is difficult to say. I don't know, everything will depend on the situation. Because someone may be an opposition or a pro-government as time progresses. Much will depend on the situation in the country. For example, the parliament formed in 1990 was created and functioned directly under the influence of the Communists. But in 1991, the Milli Mejlis was formed in the form of compromise. By 1992, the situation had already changed. Most communists have already given up on the party. Therefore, everything can happen in our country.

- Ali Hasanov, the president's aide and head of the public-political department, who has been your target of criticism for a long time, was dismissed. That is, he is no longer in charge of media policy. In your opinion, what will change?

- I do not know what has changed. But whether or not he is in charge does not have much effect. For example, some thought that something could happen in the ideological sector after Ali Hasanov left. Nothing is happening. Apparently, it was an unneeded position, and there was nothing else that he could present except pointless statements. The state machine, as well as the traditional media continue to operate as it has been operating.

- But you have specifically criticized Ali Hasanov for the state of the media...

- I say that the situation remains the same. I do not say that the state has improved. His dismissal is part of the issue. He was the main man behind the crusades against the press and free media. His dismissal has not yet led to a new policy. Because there should be at least a proposal for a new policy, and there should be a person to be able to do so. In my opinion, there is no such person in the government yet.

- That is, has the new policy of the new government in this direction not yet been formed?

- So let's say that it continues as before. True, I don't look, but presumably Ali Hasanov’s team of cursors and slanderers, as well as team of trolls and tension increasing situations have diminished slightly. But as a whole, there is a need for a new approach to this work, a new policy and the formation of this policy. So far, no one has put forward anything.

- At the moment, some proposals are being made about the KIVDF (State Fund to Support Development of the Mass Media) and the Press Council. Some point to the merger of these two institutions, and some say the importance of the abolition of the KIVDF. In your opinion, how should the activities and prospects of these two institutions be in the new environment?

- I think that the state policy in this area should be formed first. This is the first important issue. That is, a program must be put in place and it is necessary to know how the state sees press. It means that what kind of press, information relations in society we want to see, and how we will create it. This is the main thing. If this is not possible, changing people, merging or separating organizations will not affect. In this sense, first of all, it is necessary to put forward a philosophy that what the current policy is in this area. According to this, you can merge, seperate, and change the conditions you mentioned. But the organizations you mentioned did not play a role in the development of the press, the formation of quality, responsible and objective media. On the contrary, they had negative roles. Therefore, the activity of these institutions should be revised within the new policy.

- In one of your interviews in 2017, you mentioned that those in power were interested in your proposals for media development and you submitted your proposals in writing. Are there any discussions or meetings with you now?

- Not officially.

- How about unofficially?

- There are informal conversations. I would not say that there are special discussions and meetings. There was just shooting the breeze.

- What are your expectations?

- I know there must be changes. Everyone understands that something needs to be changed and it cannot go on like this. But if we want 100 percent freedom of the media, they are not ready for 100 percent. For how many percent they are ready, I don’t know.

- What suggestions have you made?

- I have not made suggestions. I need to know if the proposals I make will be implemented or not. If there are no such things, what would I suggest?

- Is it possible to conclude that these unofficial conversations can later become official discussions and a new policy on media can be introduced?

- Anything can happen. I reiterate that the current situation, Ali Hasanov’s dismissal was caused by the discontent, problems and crisis in the information area. There are ways to get out of the situation. My suggestion is that a responsible, high-quality, free media institute should be established in Azerbaijan. I have mentioned these three points. It is possible that they are satisfied with two issues, for example the third makes them anxious. I mean, if I say on behalf of them: What will happen? How can we handle the situation? They are accustomed to keep under control. The future will carry everything. But they understand that something needs to be changed.