Opposition news

MUSAVAT CENSURES GOV’T’s FOREIGN POLITICAL COURSE

The Musavat secretary Sulhaddin Akbar a roundtable "Azeri diplomacy today", organized by DemCongress-1, that the problem of incompetence of Azeri diplomacy had a number of objective reasons. He attacked the government's foreign political course, blaming the relocation of the Turkmen embassy from Baku to Ashgabat and the disregard for the interests of Turkey on the incumbents.

He then announced that most of the diplomats are national security agents.

Mr. Akbar indicated that a way out of the situation lies through the formation of a legitimate government, preparation of an elaborate foreign political course, military doctrine and national security concept.

Also addressing the roundtable was ex-foreign minister Tofig Zulfugarov, who said he was opposed to the outright criticism of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. He added that only half of foreign ministry employees are true diplomats.

BUSH, PUTIN TALK OF GARABAGH?

The DemCongress-1 convened on Monday to discuss the meeting between US and Russian Presidents Bush and Putin in Ljublana, Slovenia. The two leaders were expected to discuss the future of the Garabagh problem.

Following the meeting, the Musavat chairman Isa Gambar claimed in an interview with journalists Monday that the two presidents had not spoken of the Garabagh conflict, which he believes is both good and bad for Azerbaijan. It is good because Azerbaijan, without counting too much on a peace plan, will not come under renewed crackdown, while the bad factor is that peace efforts have significantly subsided.

OPPOSITION SEES GARABAGH SOLUTION THROUGH STRONG ECONOMY

A seminar dedicated to the "Role of the economy in Garabagh settlement" was held at the Organization for Free Garabagh Tuesday.

Speaking at the seminar chairman of the economic commission of the Musavat party Gubad Ibadoglu touched upon the country's economic potential and rational utilization of the defense budget.

He described as normal the fact that the share of defense expenses constitutes 12% of the state budget. $110 million is enough at the time of no war, but certainly not enough in the period of war.

Concerning the proportions of the shadow economy, G. Ibadoglu said it makes up around 60% of the whole economy, which means that around $500 million remains beyond the state budget. If a portion of these funds is spent on defense, Azerbaijan can build a strong army, he said.

Azerbaijan must have a sound economy both to live in peace and at war, as both politics and war are built on the economy, he concluded.

ALDP LEADER ALARMED WITH THE SPREAD OF WAHABI THREAT

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Liberal Democratic Party Fuad Aliyev and Iraqi ambassador to Azerbaijan Galib abd-Hussein discussed the socio-political situation in Azerbaijan and Iraq in their meeting on Monday.

Mr. Aliyev said he was alarmed with the spreading Wahabi threat in Azerbaijan, which can jeopardize the sovereignty and democratic development of the country. The ambassador said in response that his country had banned the propaganda of Wahabism.