Aliyev Dynasty will live on and prosper

PanARMENIAN.Net - The major aim of the amendments is to lift the restriction on electing as a president one and the same person more than twice successively. President Aliyev wasn't able to refrain and chose the way as Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev, as well as the emirs and khans of the East. Indeed, why should he let go the reins of a country that was established for him by his father Heydar Aliyev, who almost incessantly ruled Azerbaijan from 1969 up to his death in 2003.

The amendment to the Constitution is quite distinct: in case the country is at war presidential elections are postponed till the end of the military operations. This decision is made by the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan on the basis of an application sent by the state body responsible for holding elections (referendum). In other words, we should realize that in order to convert a story into reality Baku is ready to provoke a «short-lasting triumphant war» at any moment. And all this despite the fact that we all had an experience of such a war and are well aware of its outcome. Is it possible that Baku believes Karabakh people will wait for the Russian or any other forces to arrive in order to defend their land? But Ilham I won't obviously decide on a military solution to the Karabakh problem as in that case he would have to waive the perspectives of preserving power. Like his father, he is not going to hand down his son Heydar II a country in chaos and disorder. He perfectly knows what it is, and the Azerbaijani elite don't need new gorgeous complexes.

Opposition forces and civil society institutes of Azerbaijan, however, are against the suggested amendments to the Constitution. In the words of Democratic Party Leader Sardar Jalaloglu, six opposition parties and a number of leading NGOs held a round table and arrived at the decision to fight together against execution of the amendments. "If the amendments should be adopted Azerbaijan will suffer the same fate as the African countries where reigns the odious dictatorial regime. Opposition intends to launch a campaign on gathering signatures and organize mass protest actions against the Constitutional amendments," Jalaloglu noted.

However, all these protest actions will lead to nothing and the hopes on «democratic» Azerbaijan will remain just hopes. Strangely enough neither the USA nor the EU has yet reacted to the initiative of Azerbaijani parliamentarians. On the other hand, it can be assumed that they will display a neutral reaction. Be it as it may, it is more preferable to have a predictable leader rather than one like Saakashvili, an alleged democrat.

Meanwhile the image of a kind tsar or, that of a khan, call it as you wish, is being consolidated by quite available means. The other day the first volume of "Ilham Aliyev: Development is our goal" was published.

«A fabulous future awaits Azerbaijan… We have great plans, great perspectives and a great future. And in order to convert all these plans into a reality Azerbaijan should keep to the policy of Heydar Aliyev. The Azerbaijani people made their choice by voting for this policy in 1993. There is neither an alternative to this policy, nor can it ever be. Any alternative will definitely get Azerbaijan into trouble… We are going to continue the policy of Heydar Aliyev; we are going to develop Azerbaijan into a rich and powerful state… We want every region of our country to develop. Even the smallest villages, settlements and districts are going to advance… This is our goal. I am sure this is the aim and plan of the every Azerbaijani citizen».

The preface goes: «For four years on end our country has been the first in the world by the rates of economic growth. International authority of Azerbaijan has advanced even further and today it is a country that carries out an independent policy, holds its position, and has become a reliable ally and a recognized leader in the South Caucasus Region. It's the country that till recently used to import gas and pressed towards attracting international investments, while today she herself endows energy security in Europe, makes investments abroad and supports herself. These are facts that make proud every patriotically-disposed Azeri. They once more prove that the above-mentioned words have long become a vivid reality». Here is the prospering Azerbaijan! There is absolutely no hint that in conjunction with the abrupt cut of prices on oil next year Azerbaijan will have to resort to the help of international financial institutes. Neither is there a hint of Azeri soldiers hanging themselves, captives being reluctant to return to their homeland, to dynamically developing Azerbaijan. As for the numerous murders, they are a topic we don't absolutely feel like discussing….