January 12, 2005 - 23:13 AMT
ELECTORAL BLOC SUPPORTING RUSSIA FORMED IN AZERBAIJAN
As reported by Zerkalo Baku newspaper, Solidarity and Trust electoral alliance was established in Azerbaijan the other day. 26 non-governmental and public organizations took part in its creation. Chairman of "In the Name of Azerbaijan" Alliance Coordination Council, Russian Federation General Ilgar Gasymov is elected the head of the new structure. "As it can be seen, before the parliamentary election a power center supporting Russia is appearing in the political horizon of Azerbaijan," the newspaper writes. In Zerkalo's opinion, after Russia failed in Georgia and Ukraine, "Russians apparently intend to gain revenge in Azerbaijan." According to the newspaper, "the new organization has good chances for getting "a slice of the parliamentary pie", as influential public and political figures of the country are represented in it and the authorities have a positive attitude to it or do not pay much attention."