Y.Cafarli: chair under Abiyev reels

Defense Minister Safar Abiyev is personally behind negative reaction to criticism of problems in the army, Turan was  told by Yashar Cafarli, the head of the Association of Reserve Officers, commenting on the statements and appeals to the media on behalf of a group of officers in defense of  Abiyev.

Social structures  have always criticized problems in the army. However, the rally in Baku on 12 January and criticism  of soldiers' death by the ruling party "Yeni Azerbaijan" has caused Abiyev’s fear for loss of office, said Cafarli.

In his view, Abiyev tries to present the constructive criticism of problems in the army, as

its discrediting. Cafarli called Abiyev not to identify himself with the army, and instead of 

making appeal to solve the available problems.

"In civilized countries, for such problems the defense ministers resign,  and not dictate their will on society," said Cafarli.

Previously,  in the end of last week, a number of military NGOs started a campaign of collecting signatures for a petition demanding the resignation of the defense minister and chief of staff for the soldiers  death. -05B-