Opposition news

POLICE DISPERSE PICKET IN FRONT OF RUSSIAN EMBASSY

Police have dispelled the unsanctioned picket by the National Patriotic Union Party in front of the Russian embassy. Some 100 people wanted to take part in the protest action and demand expansion of ties with Russia, currently home to 2.5 million Azeris, and a more active Russian involvement in the Garabagh conflict settlement.

This was the second failed attempt to picket Russian embassy. The first was made Monday by the National Resistance Movement. In both instances, police did not resort to force.

DOCUMENTS ON SHAKI CLASHES FORWARDED TO INT'L ORGANIZATIONS

The Human Rights Committee of those arrested during the November 18 developments in Shaki has forwarded materials documenting what happened to international organizations. The documents indicate places where the arrested are kept in custody (predominantly those of opposition parties Musavat, ADP, Vahdat, and PNIA), description of cases of violence, etc.

This was announced Friday at a roundtable held on the initiative of the Institute of Peace and Democracy at the Human Rights Resource Center.

Also discussed was the joint activities program of the Committee and Shaki intelligentsia.

IRANIAN AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MUSAVAT CHAIRMAN

The Musavat chairman Isa Gambar met with the Iranian ambassador Ahad Gazai at the party's HQs Thursday to exchange views on the development of Iraninan-Azeri relations, settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict, regional and other issues.

The meeting was also attended by the embassy's first secretary Darush Safarnejat, third secretary Abdulfazl Sharifi and the Musavat secretary on political relations Sulhaddin Akbar, the party told Azernews Thursday.

MUSAVAT DENIES RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID

The Musavat chairman Isa Gambar has dismissed the rumor that the authorities had allegedly transferred a tidy sum to his account.

A government official, who declined to reveal his name, has told Azernews that in order to pacify Musavat, the opposition pre-election frontrunner, the authorities did provide some financial support to it. In fact, it is for this reason that a relative lull has been established in the political arena.

Mr. Gambar says the authorities have never financed the party. He said such reports are intended to discredit the party in public eyes.

MUSAVAT LOOKING FOR SPACE TO HOLD CONGRESS

Musavat has long been preparing for a congress, but has been unable to find appropriate space for the purpose, chairman of the party Isa Gambar told journalists Thursday.

According to him, the congress is delaying because of the lack of space as the party needs a conference hall of at least 1,500-2,000 seats.

Repeated appeals to relevant bodies have remained unanswered, I. Gambar said and added that the party would go on the search.

OPPOSITION URGING REGIME TO SAFEGUARD NATIONAL INTERESTS

Azeri-Russian relations in light of the upcoming visit by Russian president Putin were discussed last Wednesday by both Democratic Congresses.

The two blocs have agreed that the Azerbaijan government must be governed by national interests in issues of the Gabala radio-location station and the Caspian status and that no concessions should be made to Russia.

Certain politicians believe that the visit will open up a new era in bilateral relations with Russia.

Chairman of the "Ahrar" party Vagif Hajibayli says Azerbaijan is pursuing an erroneous policy with regard to Russia, which is why Russia has opted for close cooperation with Armenia.