August 4, 2008 - 15:26 AMT
West threatens Azerbaijan with "orange" scenario
The U.S. doesn't need the stability Aliyev has maintained for many years in Azerbaijan, RBC reports.

"Ilham Aliyev is undoubtedly the favorite for the October 15 presidential election while the opposition forces announce that they boycott the election. The Communist Party and Azaldyg bloc has already refused to join the campaign. If Democratic Party follows their example, the republic will face a serious political crisis. The fact is that the U.S. needs an unstable Azerbaijan on the threshold of war with Iran," the article says.

Aliyev was officially nominated by Yeni Azerbaijan party last Saturday.

According to expert Alexey Vlasov, Baku is considering a possibility to empower Aliyev with lifelong presidential commission. "The project of referendum is being elaboration," he supposes.

"Ilham Aliyev has secured Azerbaijan's pro-western line, what forced the U.S. and Europe to turn a blind eye to authoritarian regime. Now, the U.S. needs destabilization, according to Oktay Aksoy, analyst at Foreign Policy Institute.

"Preparing for a war with Iran, the ideas of formation of Great Azerbaijan are treated seriously. Aliyev, who doesn't wish to plunge into adventures, can be threatened with an orange scenario," the article says.