Opposition news

MUSAVAT PROPOSES COMMON ANTI-GENOCIDE PROGRAM

The Musavat chairman Isa Gambar has told Azernews that discussion of the fabricated "Armenian genocide" issue by different parliaments is explained by their overlapping interests with those of the Armenian lobby.

To prevent further recognition of the genocide, all Turkic countries, first of all Turkey and Azerbaijan, must adopt a common program of activities.

He said Turkic countries and their allies must do their utmost to thwart the embellishment of the issue.

TEACHERS, STUDENTS PERSECUTED FOR POLITICAL BELIEFS

Leader of the Musavat Party Isa Gambar told journalists last week that teachers and students of a number of universities are being persecuted for their political beliefs.

According to him, students members of pro-Musavat parties are being invited to their dean's offices and asked either to leave the party or school. Mr. Gambar said this is another serious blow upon Azerbaijan's image.

PFPA reformers

hold congress

The Shahriyar culture center of Baku hosted the 3rd congress of the PFPA reformers Saturday, attended by 420 delegates representing 74 regional and city organizations of the party. Among the guests were heads and members of some 20 political parties of Azerbaijan, representatives of Turkish, British, US, Russian embassies, as well as men of art and scientists.

Messages of congratulation came from Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Rauf Denktas, and representatives of state and non-governmental organizations world over.

The congress elected Ali Karimov, who had been first deputy chairman before Elchibay's demise and then acting chairman of the party, as chairman.

In his remarks, A. Karimov said the party intends to dominate in Azerbaijan's political arena.

"Those interested in destroying or isolating the PFPA will themselves be isolated and destroyed", he said.

The congress decided to perpetuate the late chairman of the party and leader of the national liberation movement of Azerbaijan Abulfaz Elchibay.

DEMCONGRESS-2 STANDS FOR VISA-FREE REGIME WITH TURKEY

Last week's meeting of the Democratic Congress-2 focused on the plight of 2.5 million Azerbaijanis who make their living outside Azerbaijan.

The discussion was prompted by recent beating of Azeris in St. Petersburg and tightened visa regulations in Turkey, which the bloc believes may result in deportation of Azeris with expired visas.

Voicing their concern with this, speakers at the meeting said Turkey must treat Azeris differently, that Azerbaijan and Turkey must introduce visa-free regime considering the fraternal relations.

ALTERNATIVE CONGRESS PREPARING BY-LAWS

After a meeting of the DemCongress-2 late last week, chairman of the Democratic Independence Party Vagif Karimov told journalists that another party had joined the bloc. The congress will thus include 9 parties.

He added that the by-laws of the organization would be adopted before the end of February, with two drafts currently in preparation.

LEZGIN ORGANIZATION JOINS "ADALAT"

The 21,000-people "Savab" organization of Lezgins living in north Azerbaijan has decided to join the "Adalat" party.

Chairman of the organization Haji Nizami Soltanov officially submitted the organization's board decision to the Adalat party Monday.

The organization members are currently being admitted to the party, with 324 people registered already.

TURKIC NATIONALISTS JOIN DEMCONGRESS-1

The Monday session of the Supreme Mejlis of the Turkic Nationalistic Party (TNP) chose 11 members who will represent the party in the pro-Musavat Democratic Congress-1. In this connection, the meeting also decided to cease participating in the Assembly of National-Democratic Forces.

The Mejlis has condemned the authorities for ignoring the demands of the Garabagh handicapped, public opinion and opinion of political parties and public organizations. TNP believes that national forces should not put up with the arbitrariness on part of the authorities.

TWIN PARTIES ALSO EXIST

The Civil Unity Party held a congress on February 18, as Igbal Agazadeh was elected as chairman. It is curious that another party under the same name held a congress on December 23, 2000 and elected ex-president in exile Ayaz Mutallibov as chairman.

DEMBLOC SET FOR FIRST MEETING

The Democratic Bloc, comprising opposition MPs, is expected to hold its first meeting shortly, its member Mais Safarli told Azernews Tuesday.

According to him, only technical issues remain outstanding. He did not rule out the possibility of former Musavat members Shirzad Ayyub and Vagif Samadoglu joining the 11-member bloc.