AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008: HOW FAIR?

In October the Republic Azerbaijan with a total population of about 9 million persons will go to the boots across the country to elect their president for a period of five years. This will be the 6th presidential Election of the republic after it got its independence from Russia in 1992.

It’s less than two months to the fixed day of election, precisely on the 15th of October, yet not much events in the country to portray the upcoming election. It will be a great misjudgment to compare the Azerbaijan election with the USA election, but whereas the USA presidential election coming up in November has since become a top news for the media bodies, making headlines not just in USA but all across the globe, the Azerbaijan presidential election is passing on as quiet with little or no mention even in the National medias as if it is of no significance having one in the first place.

For many other foreigners who reside in Azerbaijan, not much is known concerning the election. For instance, asking the question to some foreigners residing in Azerbaijan: “apart from Ilham Aliyev, who else is contesting the presidential election in Azerbaijan?” The answers will not be far from the expected; of course they will have no Idea.

Ilham Aliyev is the incumbent president and is contesting for a second term in office. His party the “Yeni Azerbaijan Parti -YAP” had nominated him unanimously to be the party flag bearer. Ilham Aliyev, who was elected in 2003, took over as president of the Republic from his father Heydar Aliyev.

Initially, opposition parties had shown interest to participate in the coming presidential elections. Parties as the “Musavat” and “Azadliq -a bloc of parties” who are well known oppositions had candidates to field for the elections, but prior to the official commencement of the election activities, these oppositions withdrew form the election. The oppositions had stated among many reasons for the withdrawal as connected to unfavorable condition in the electoral system, non confidence in the Electoral conducting body.

Nonetheless, the ruling party YAP is structurally robust as compared to these other parties. From America to the United Kingdom, successes in election are pretty well determined on the availability of fund; the YAP party has got fund in essence. Although it is a wide assumption that state fund is channeled to the YAP party activities which obviously is an illegal act. Other assumptions by the opposition is that the government has help suppress the opposition therefore the consequence is that it has enabled the YAP to portray itself as having a great grassroots base.

Whatever the argument maybe, it is noteworthy to state that sampling opinions of the electorate, the common choice for presidency is Ilham Aliyev. Pressing these electorates further on why their choices are Ilham Aliyev, they simply say there is no opposition. Some although speak favorable concerning the achievements of the president Ilham Aliyev during his first ternure, while others see no positive achievements and simply expect a change.

Depending on what side the arguments come from, a truly free and fair election can only be possible in a battle where two persons of equal strength, equal opportunity and equally playing field contest. It is a no contest in a scenario where one party is by far stronger than the other party. In as much as the outcome of the election on 15th October is already onesided, it will definitely be seeking credibility just because of the single act that the opposition did not participate and that there was no real test on the ability of the YAP candidate Ilaham Aliyev to pull many votes.

NAKCHIVAN: A PEOPLE’S HERITAGE, A PEOPLE’S PRIDE AND A HOME OF BEAUTY

I visited the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan for the first time courtesy of an invitation from a dear friend -Elmira. I made the trip with my wife Lala and our 5 months old son Joel. It was to be my first time to this part of Azerbaijan and same for my wife. The journey of about I hour from Baku to Nakchivan was a smooth fly; from an aerial view, it reveals how on a very fast rate the Azerbaijan capital Baku is developing with a great number of high rising building and good road networking. Descending from the plane on arrival in Nakhchivan, we were greeted with the purest serenity of athmosphere; my wife observed how very pure the atmospheric air felt in Nakhchivan as compared to the congested capital Baku.

To me Nakchivan is one of the most beautiful spots in the Caucasus and to a larger extent on Earth. I have been to other regions of Azerbaijan, but whereas occupational related activities took me to these parts, my trip to Nakhchivan was based on relaxation. Of course Fizuli, Tartar and the occupied Azerbaijan territories of Karabakh are all beautiful; however I will not fail to add that my perceptions for these different places are based on different perspectives. Among the things that fascinated me on this particular trip to Nakhchivan were the surroundings full of high mountains; the long stretches of low green lands; the people’s customs, traditions and general way of life; the valleys, vegetations, springs and pools; not forgetting the meals, natural diary consumption and fruits consumed directly from the gardens.

Nakhchivan has a strategic role in history. Besides that it is presently a place for Islam religious sojourners who visit the Ashabi cafe, it is also a significant part of the Christian belief. After all, going by the ancient history, the Mount Ararat, that is just a stone throw from the hinter areas of Nakhchivan but presently located in today Turkey, Ararat is believed to be the place where Noah’s Ark had settled. In essence, a new phase of human origin is traceable to this part of the world and all mankind can lay claim to a root in this region.

A brief insight on Nakchivan; the exclave has its capital as the Nakhchivan city. Other regions within the Autonomous republic are: Babek, Julfa, Kangarli, Ordubad, Sadarek, Shakhbuz and Sarur. Iran, Turkey, Armenia and the River Aras surround this Azerbaijan exclave on various sides. Another visible surrounding of the Nakhchivan exclave is the Caucasian mountains.

The Autonomous Republic is a very historical place in the history of Azerbaijan. Nakchivan is the birth place of prominent sons and daughters of the larger Azerbaijan. The larger Azerbaijan in context means including the Southern Iranians who are Azerbaijanis by origin but are now part of the Iran based on an agreed treaty of 1828 (treaty of Turkmanchay -agreed between Russia and Iran after the Russo-Persian war). Among the prominent sons from the exclave include Meami Aceami (world renowned builder of his generation) Karoglu (a national warrior), Husein Cavid (a poet and a national hero) and of course Herdar Aliyev (one of the 20th century elder statesman and great politician).

The majority of persons of this exclave are predominantly farmers and herdsmen. In the past, the hinterlands of Nakchivan had been food basket of its surrounding settlements including the Armenia. Our host family in Nakchivan, Baba who is a native of the Sarur region, had explained to me how during the peaceful coexistence between Azerbaijan and Armenia, he and many other farmers of his village were constantly transporting their farm produce to the Armenians but after the Armenia invasion of the Azerbaijan territories, these practice are now a thing of history. Also Baba in own words had told me how the whole extent of the Sarur villages has been a plantation of vines and grapes extending the whole length to Turkey in the West, Armenia to the South, to the River Aras and Iran to the North the North central respectively. But these entire vineyards were destroyed during the Russia occupation of the Azerbaijan territory. At that time, Gorbachev who had characterized these as immoral to the communist beliefs had ordered the destruction.

The Nakchivan land is rich with nutrients and very fertile for all types of crops; potatoes, tomatoes, apples, melons, corns, to mention a few, all these crops are all very productive on the Nakchivan soil. Other than the food crops, Nakchivan rear all sorts of animals; goats, sheep, cows, donkeys and horses. The Azerbaijan exclave is also very rich in minerals such as Salt and Molybdenum.

My trip provided to me the privilege to get a view of Momine Khatun –a 14th century monument built to symbolize love; the Zangazur Mountains –that separates the Armenia territories from Azerbaijan; the Aras River –that runs through Armenia, Iran and Azerbaijan; the Mount Kapydhik –the highest point of the Nakhchivan mountains, it is also believed to a spot upon where Noah’s Ark anchored for a while; the illandag Mountain –translated as the snake mountain. Other places that were so fascinating to me include the Herdar Aliyev museum, the museum of Huseyn Cavid, and the Nakhchivan main meseum. More so, all over Nakhchivan, there is a gush of pure water; the territory is so blessed with spring water that a spring is found virtually on all corners of the republic.

Among the prominent places that I visited that will remain a life time memory was the Ashabi café. The Ashabi café is translated to be a café for wishes. According to the story I was told, the café was proclaimed as sacred based on outcome of the events of many centuries ago. Three friends who were fleeing from a cruel king hid in the café for safety. According to the story, the event had occurred even before Christianity or any other religion was practiced. The three friends with the knowledge of a supreme being prayed to God for protection upon which God subjected them to a deep sleep. After many centuries had passed, the three men woke up from their slumber, in their process to relate with the community they discovered that they’ve been sleeping for up to three centuries. Legends have it that they were later transformed to pieces of stones in the Ashabi café.

In Islam, the Ashabi café was quoted in the words of the Quran (Qurani-Karem Kehf suresi 18). It was recognized as one of the holy places on Earth; no wonder I could observe so many foreigners who had come to make the holy trip to the Ashabi café. Thanks to the present government of the Azerbaijan republic, journey through the café is made much easier with the erecting and renovation of the stair and walk ways. Also, the surroundings around the café have been beatified. To my opinion, if this singular place is well harnessed, it can turn out to be an important Azerbaijan tourist destination for foreigners and consequently become a source of revenue generator for the government just as is practiced all around the globe, a common reference is Mecca of Saudi Arabia.

Besides the natural beauty, Nakchivan main city is by far a very clean place and peaceful serene. Despite it bubbling with life, it’s free of what characterizes a big city such as traffic congestions, environmental pollutions and poor sanitation. According to my wife, the Nakhchivan city depicts a picture of modern day cities.

During my stay in Nakhchivan, I was trilled to learn a proud people way of life. The natives of Nakhchivan are so proud of their heritage. The pride is sometimes mistaken for arrogance but as proud persons, they firstly identify themselves as a citizen of Azerbaijan but never forgetting where their heritage lies. These characteristics of the natives of Nakhchivan has rubbed into their co-existence and further solidifying their brotherly fondness that is easily identified with them irrespective of which part of the world they presently settle at. Another lasting impression I had acquired from Nakhchivan is that there is a great value for the institution of family and the people’s customs and tradition are well preserved and passed on to the younger generation. This can also be a case that is peculiar with the entire Azerbaijanis. Just as the Nakhchivan natives are proud of their heritage, the Autonomous republic of Nakhchivan will ever remain a reference of pride to the entire Azerbaijan republic.

RUSSIA IS TEACHING THE WORLD A LESSON BY INVADING GEORGIA

Russia is once again reminding the world how terrorizing it can be and is yet again defining itself as the sleeping terror. In a century where peace is pursued at all cost and war is highly eschewed or executed as a global common battle as in the case on “war against terror”; with all eyes eluding from Russia focusing onto more global problems like food shortages, global warming, etc Russia is simply making a statement that we can also be the 21st century global problem.

After the collapse of the USSR, Russia who had everything to loose and nothing to gain has remained bitter with the way its once assumed power was reduced to nothing. With the era of Putin Russia was again rejuvenated to strengthen its battered ego. Thanks to the money acquired with the sales of its Oil deposit with additionally the vast mineral deposit found in the Russia territories.

All the independent republics from the Russia larger Soviet Union has courted the Western countries and has fraternized with the US and Europe in a way that has displeased Russia. Sometimes in 2007, Putin was spitting fire and brimstones because of the Georgia intent to join the NATO. Russia vehemently aired its disapproval and during one of the G8 meetings with Putin attending as a Russia president he criticized USA and the European Union. Presently, the real intent of Russia opposing Georgian entrance to NATO is been played out. Since 1992, Russia has remained in the break away region of South Ossetia in the Georgia Republic. Same as what is experienced in Nagorno-Karabakh which Russia has indirectly orchestrated to frustrate another of the old USSR republics, Azerbaijan; the South Ossetia scenario remains slightly different though because Russia has its force positioned in this region. Ever since Georgia has been trying to reclaim it territory but to no avail.

If the truth must be told, Russia who wants to have a strong footage in the South Caucasus in order not to loose out totally will not want to leave just like that from the Georgian territory. Recently, Russia has seen all ploys by USA to position military satellites in the countries that neighbors the Russia Republic as a threat; The Georgian president who is a favorite son of the US government will not hesitate to allow the Americans to have a go in the Georgian territories should there arise a conflict between US and Russia or between the US allies and Russia.

Russia invasion of Georgia is a simple case of an old Rogue that cannot be changed, an old habit that dies hard. Russia is evil in its intent and has never had any good agendas for any of its partner, allies even its enemy. From the events of the week we can see how Russia has defiled all and have directly attacked places significant to the Georgian economy. For example, Russia attack on Georgia was to blow up an Oil pipe line that supplies oil from Baku, through Tbilisi to Europe. Other targets of Russia were to directly target the military bases of Georgia stationed way outside from the place in context. Strength for strength Georgia is never a match for Russia of which Medvedev or Putin knows very well.

Russia is in pure terms stating that even though we seem to be written off, we still remain a terror. Russia is making a clear point to the West (US and the EU) that we are the real string pullers in this part of the world and despite any relations with any neighboring country Russia does not see itself bullied out. It is Georgia who is facing the Russia cruelty and Georgia is absolutely defenseless against “mighty-bully” Russia, who knows what country will be next? It maybe Azerbaijan another rising economy in the south Caucasus; no wonder the Azerbaijan government authority has decided to play the mute card so as not to provoke the big bully Russia.

The world, EU and USA have to reconsider their plans for the smaller Countries that borders Russia. The Georgia/Russia conflict only reveals how helpless these nations are in a Russia invasion. The sovereignty of every nation has to be respected and every earthly citizen has a right to live freely in own country without a fear of possible invasion. Russia is only taking its time; but will Russia one day play out the events of past years in these regions? It will definitely do only the future will reveal.