Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

[ninetoyadome]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

These azeris are sad. They arrest innocent Iranian religious figures and call them terrorists just so they could improve there ties with the US and Israel. This just goes to show you what kind of backstabbing people azeris are. They did it to us and now they are doing to the Iran. Next it will be Russia so they can steal lands from them.

[Eddo211]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

[Vrej1915]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Azerbaijani President's Son-in-Law to Perform at Eurovision
March 26, 2012 - 9:22am, by Giorgi Lomsadze Tamada Tales Azerbaijan Eurovision
Few people may think that Eurovision, an unbridled celebration of European pop music, is all about family values. But when the glitzy annual music contest due arrives in Baku this May, the Caucasus tradition of looking out for one's relatives quite literally will take center stage. Emin Agalarov, the 32-year-old son-in-law of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, has been recruited to entertain the Eurovision audience before or between the contestants' acts.

Not to belittle the talent of a First Son-in-Law (married to Aliyev's older daughter, Leyla), but, to many, this looks almost like a classic move for a country renowned for liking to keep things in the family; the Aliyev family, that is.

The Eurovision organizing committee is headed by Agalarov's mother-in-law, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

Agalarov, who sings in English and was raised partly in New Jersey, said he is humbled by the honor bestowed on him and hopes that Eurovision will be “an incredible showcase” for Azerbaijan that will prompt outsiders to Google the country's name and drop by for a visit.

But these days, Google search results for Azerbaijan and Eurovision may not be exactly what he had in mind. Rock musicians who allegedly insulted President Aliyev's late mother at a protest rally, and a rally organizer were arrested recently; one of the musicians, Camal Ali, claimed that police had beaten the soles of his feet with truncheons, RFE/RL reported. Also chief among the results are news stories focusing on a blackmail campaign against Khadija Ismayilova, a reporter for RFE/RL and EurasiaNet.org, who was targeted while investigating alleged ties between senior officials and the reconstruction of a Baku square near а Eurovision venue. If this alarms Eurovision, so far, they're keeping it within the Eurovision family. "[W]e have to leave politics out of the contest . . . " a spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union, the show's governing body, told the BBC.

[ninetoyadome]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Azerbaijan: Two Killed in Operation Against Alleged Religious Extremists
April 6, 2012 - 8:52am, by Shahin Abbasov Tamada Tales Azerbaijan
Two people, including an employee of the Ministry of National Security (MNS), were killed and five wounded on April 6 in the Azerbaijani city of Ganja, the country's second-largest city, during an operation by Azerbaijan’s law-enforcement agencies against suspected religious extremists. Police have blocked off the site in question, and residents of neighboring houses have been evacuated.

Ministry of National Security spokesperson Arif Babayev told EurasiaNet.org over the phone that “the operation against terrorists in Ganja is not over yet.” Babayev did not provide more details, but said that the ministry will issue an official statement in the evening.

Turan news agency reported that an explosion this morning in the residential area of Mahrasa Bagi in Ganja had killed two people. Unnamed local sources in the city told the agency that a suicide bomber with a grenade or explosives-laden belt had committed the act. 
 


The Ministry of National Security’s involvement in the events in Ganja underlines the claim of terrorism, rather than an otherwise-explicable event. If the suicide-bomber version is confirmed, the explosion would rank as the first case of an attack by a suicide-bomber in Azerbaijan. 


Local news wires, quoting unnamed sources in law enforcement agencies, report that the MNS was taking action against religious extremists (termed “Wahhabis”), originally from Azerbaijan’s northern Qakh region, who had rented an apartment in Ganja.

During the detention operation, one of the targeted individuals allegedly blew himself up, killing MNS Lieutenant-Colonel Elshad Guliyev in the process. The five people wounded included law-enforcement officers. The victims’ bodies have been flown to Baku by helicopter, the MNS said.

Ganja’s police department confirmed to news site Vesti.az that the incident happened during an operation against an illegal armed group, which allegedly was preparing a terrorist attack.

MNS spokesperson Babayev also confirmed media reports that four people had been detained in another special operation conducted in the northwest Zagatala region.

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65232

---------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow's azeri press releases:
"Terrorist, paid by an Armenian from Georgia, kills two with explosion"

[Mher]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/09/11036848-like-casablanca-in-world-war-ii-as-iran-tensions-grow-azerbaijan-becomes-den-of-spies?lite

'Like Casablanca in World War II': As Iran tensions grow, Azerbaijan becomes den of spies

A Soviet-legacy oil nation is emerging as a hotbed of global espionage as tension escalates between Israel and Iran.

Azerbaijan, which links Russia to the Middle East, has strategic importance as a bridgehead for the West in its war of diplomacy with Tehran.

A secular dictatorship with a long border with Iran, it is one of the few remaining countries than can act as a reliable listening post for America and Israel, turning its capital, Baku, into a hotbed of intelligence activity.

“Like Casablanca in World War II, Baku is now also a center of monitoring Iranian mischief,” Ariel Cohen, senior research fellow at the Washington-based Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies, part of the Heritage Foundation, told msnbc.com. “This is understandable taking into account visa-free regime of travel between the two countries and aggressive Iranian intelligence tactics.”
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Recent events have lifted the lid on some of the international maneuvering in Baku. In March, Azeri security services arrested 22 people they say were trained by Iran to carry out terrorist attacks against the US and Israeli embassies.

In January, two accused of plotting to kill teachers at a xxxish school were also held.

'The Israelis are more subtle'
Most experts agree there are many Mossad agents in Azerbaijan working for Israel.

“The Iranians act in the open, they want everyone to know that they are here,” Dr. Arastun Orujl, director of the east-West Research Center in Baku told Britain's Times newspaper. “The Israelis are more subtle, like the Americans. But in the end everyone knows they are here, too.”

Iran lawmaker: We can produce nuclear weapons

So why does Azerbaijan matter? Not only does its geography make it an ideal place for the U.S. and its allies to face down Tehran, but its political history entangles it in the current tensions with Israel.

Millions living in northern Iran are ethnic Azeris, theoretically binding the two nations. But Azerbaijan has allied itself increasingly with Israel and the West as it uses its oil wealth to leverage its global standing.

“It was one of the first countries to back America after 9/11,” Gerald Frost, director of the Paris-based Caspian Information Centre told msnbc.com. “It is as politically helpful to the West as its position close to the Middle East will allow. America needs to pay it close attention.”

While the country has made concessions to the West, it remains a dynastic dictatorship under the rule of Ilham Aliyev, who inherited power from father Heydar Aliyev, a former Soviet leader who reinvented himself as a nationalist during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Ilham took over in a 2003 election described by Human Rights Watch as “fraudulent” and which it said was “followed by protests that turned violent, plunging Azerbaijan into a human rights crisis from which it has not recovered”.

Israel last year established a factory in Azerbaijan making parts for its military drones, and has supplied the country with $1.6 billion worth of military equipment.

The BBC reported Russia President Vladimir Putin "surprised Western leaders" in 2007 by offering to let America use its radar base in Azerbaijan to defend Europe against any missile attack from Iran.

Cohen says Iran has been trying undermine Azerbaijan's secular position in the hopes of turning it from a dictatorship into a theocracy, echoing the transition of countries such as Libya and Egypt that now appear destined to be ruled by conservative Islamists.

Mark Perry, in a Foreign Policy article titled "Israel’s Secret Staging Ground", claimed Obama administration officials now believe that the security cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel is actually "heightening the risks of an Israeli strike on Iran".

Azerbaijan has denied it would allow the U.S. or Israel to launch airstrikes, although Frost noted that it could provide associated support since it already allows the U.S. military into its airspace to reach Afghanistan and to evacuate injured troops.

While ties with Israel deepen, the future relationship with the United States is less clear because Washington does not currently have an ambassador in Baku. The last holder of the post, Matthew Bryza, left last year after his appointment was not confirmed by Congress, a decision Frost believes is likely to have been influenced by America's powerful Armenian lobby.

Cultural boom
Meanwhile, its strategic importance is being echoed in a cultural boom. Baku is enjoying a Dubai-style explosion of luxury hotels and designer fashion stores. "It is all very glitzy, very much reflecting the way Azeris want to be seen as an establish European-style country rather than a backwater," said Ben Illis, co-author of a new Time Out guide to Baku, which is due to be published next month.

It has launched a major tourism advertising campaign, and its ambitious bid to host the 2020 Olympic games found its way onto the IOC shortlist.

This spring is expected to see the unveiling of the $350 million Flame Towers – three glass-sided skyscrapers up to 620ft in height inspired by the country’s ancient association with fire. Human Rights Watch says “thousands of residents” have been forcibly evicted to make way for some of these projects.
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However, billing itself as tourism destination may be a challenge for a country that still has a very poor human rights record and still is often confused with Kazakhstan, home of comic creation Borat.

An unlikely litmus test of its political ambitions will come next month when it hosts the Eurovision Song Contest, a live music competition beamed across Europe that is a byword for kitsch (it was once won by a transsexual representing Israel). Baku's bitter enemy, neighboring Armenia, pulled out of the contest in disgust when an Azeri duo won last year.

"This will perhaps be a good indication of how far the regime is prepared to go to further its relationship with the west," said James Nixey, of British think tank Chatham House.

[Mher]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Baku Anti-Government Protesters Demand Aliyev Resignation

BAKU (RFE/RL)—Opposition supporters in Azerbaijan have staged an anti-government rally in Baku, calling for reforms, and also demanding the resignation of the country’s authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev.

The protesters also demanded the release of a dozen political activists detained during antigovernment protests last year.

The demonstration on April 8 was the first that have been sanctioned by Azerbaijani authorities after similar protests last year ended in a violent government crackdown.

Organizers of the rally claimed that more than 10,000 people took part in the demonstration. Baku police, however, put the number of protesters at around 1,200.

A statement by Baku police said the protesters were members and supporters of several opposition movements, including the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, (APFP), Musavat (Equality), and the People’s Party, as well as several nongovernmental organizations and youth groups.

Ali Kerimli, the leader of the APFP made a speech at the rally calling for greater freedoms in the country.

“The Azerbaijani government led by Ilham Aliyev is carrying out a policy that has been destroying the Azerbaijani opposition, and stifling independent voices – by banning demonstrations – over the past seven years,” he said.

Isa Gambar, the leader of the Musavat opposition party, likened the situation in Azerbaijan to Arab countries that experienced a wave of popular uprisings leading to regime changes last year.

“We have always been sure the wave of the changes, democracy and freedom in the world will come to Azerbaijan, too,” he said. “However, at the same time, we want this process to take place in peaceful ways, without confrontation and – unlike the Arab countries — without bloodshed. That is our choice. If events take a different turn, the responsibility for that would lie with Aliyev’s government.”

A member of the APFP told RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service that he and 10 other activists were beaten by police on their way to the rally.

Police in Baku have denied the allegations.

The organizers of the demonstration said authorities had disrupted transport links to restrict the number of protestors heading to the protests.

Locals say hundreds of police have set up security booths around the city.

Pro-democracy opposition activists in the oil-rich Caspian nation had staged rallies in Baku last year, but police cracked down on the protests.

At least, 16 opposition activists were arrested during the protests. Some of them have been released, but no fewer than 12 remain in custody.

http://asbarez.com/102238/baku-anti-government-protesters-demand-aliyev-resignation/

[Mher]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Salacious video defames journalist critical of Azerbaijani government

(CNN) -- A compromising video has appeared on the Internet of an investigative journalist who has been extensively reporting on government corruption in Azerbaijan.

Khadija Ismayilova, a radio talk show host, is afraid the sexually explicit images could ignite religious rage against her in the conservative country.

The video of her and her boyfriend was recorded via a hidden camera in her bedroom and then posted anonymously on a website imitating the homepage of the New Equality Party, a rival of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party.

Social mores in the Muslim society are not as strict as they are in neighboring Iran, Ismayilova says, but they're "similar to rural Turkey." Honor killings for behavior outside of accepted morals are a reality in Azerbaijan.

The video surfaced a week after Ismayilova received a threatening letter by mail "containing photos of a personal nature," according to a news release from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a democracy advocacy organization that broadcasts her shows and publishes articles that she writes.

"I received a package with pictures suggesting I have a sexual life," Ismayilova said, "and the note saying: 'You xxxxx, behave. Or you will be defamed.' "

People in high places could have reason to be angry with Ismayilova for her reporting. She has written articles implying that the daughters of President Ilham Aliyev could have a secret ownership stake in Azerfon, the country's major mobile telecom company. She has also connected the president's family to the ownership of a bank and alleged that the relationship was used for shady dealings.

Presidential spokesman Elnur Aslanov declined to comment on Ismayilova's stories, but he condemned the video a day after it surfaced, blaming it on "subversive forces who try to violate the stability in Azerbaijan."

Aslanov also said Thursday that authorities "will make all efforts to identify and punish the persons who are behind this dirty action."

Ismayilova, however, calls the spokesman's statements "absolutely insincere ... absolutely outrageous." She believes that the government is punishing her for her stories.

After all, the ruling party has raked her over the coals in print, she said, tying her ethnic background to Armenia.

Tensions run high between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed breakaway region Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as Armenia's military occupation of adjacent Azerbaijani territory. Creating the impression that Ismayilova is connected to Armenia can easily stoke additional passions against her with the Azerbaijani public.

"They've been accusing me of working for the enemies of the country," she said.

One day before the contentious video of Ismayilova surfaced, an article appeared on a pro-government news website, again bringing up questions about her ethnic background. It also attacked her private life: "Khadija is a permanent resident of Baku's expensive bars and clubs. She never hid her affection for alcohol and fast living. She often makes fun of the upbringing and values of Azerbaijani women."

A day after the video appeared, a pro-government newspaper called Iki Sahil wrote, "In her articles very often Khadija would say 'give me a freedom' and it looks like she got enough 'freedom' now," according to Radio Liberty's translation. The article went on to describe salacious details of the video and pointed out where it could be found on the Internet.

The video has triggered support for Ismayilova from human rights activists but also from an unlikely group. Religious conservatives, who are usually among her critics, have come to her aid.

The elders in the conservative town of Nardaran, while pointing out that they often disagree with Ismayilova, said in a statement that they "strongly deplore this blackmail against Khadija and demand it stop."

Ismayilova believes that the support from mosque communities and other conservatives "could have saved my life."

Journalist advocacy groups across the world have also called on the personal attacks to stop. "Azerbaijan must halt smear campaign against reporter," read a news release from the Committee to Protect Journalists on the day the video appeared. Reporters Without Borders opened its reaction statement with the word "despicable."

They say this has happened before.

"Journalists in Azerbaijan are frequently subjected to smear or intimidation campaigns as punitive action and are sometimes forced to leave the country," the journalism group said, citing its own research.

Nina Ognianova, the committee's program coordinator for Europe and Central Asia, said Azerbaijan is one of the most authoritarian countries she has covered.

"In 2009, it was the leading jailor of journalists in the region, with 11 behind bars," she said.

She recalled a similar case to Ismayilova's, one that involved sexual claims being spread about an independent journalist. The journalist was portrayed by pro-government media as being homosexual.

"The labeling put the journalist in peril," Ognianova said. "He almost died in a stabbing attack, and someone tried to push him under a train."

The government, however, disputes accusations that it represses journalism.

"Azerbaijan is an open democratic state with free media," said presidential spokesman Aslanov, who is also head of the country's Political Analysis and Information Department.

The Aliyev family has held on to power for nearly four decades. The current president's father, Heydar Aliyev, was in office for almost 30 years before he died. The current president ascended to the office in a landslide election that was boycotted by opposition parties and criticized as below standards by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which monitors elections internationally.

The former Soviet republic has recently raised its profile on the international stage. It was elected to the U.N. Security Council in October and has put in a bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.

But Transparency International, which tracks the perception of corruption in countries around the world, ranks Azerbaijan slightly worse than Pakistan, on a level with Belarus and Nigeria. It used to be lower.

In May, Azerbaijan will host the Eurovision Song Contest, with participants coming from Europe, North Africa and parts of the Middle East. Journalists from about 40 countries are also expected, which will mean increased global press exposure.

Azerbaijan has a reputation at stake and seems to respond to intense, constant international pressure -- "but with a lot of resistance," Ognianova said.

"The country has become more sophisticated in their repression of critical voices," she said. "The government tactics of sneaky punching in the gut has happened before."

The website featuring the Ismayilova video was traced back to a Web hosting company based in Texas called HostGator. CNN contacted the company to ask about who posted the website with the video. Despite multiple requests, a customer service representative refused to connect CNN with its press office or give out its telephone number. An e-mail to multiple recipients at the company remains unanswered.

Ismayilova says that although she is now in danger, she wants her story told.

"It needs to be made public," she said. "It needs to be turned to embarrassment for those who are doing it."

On her Facebook account after receiving the initial photos, she wrote, "I am convinced and determined that I can withstand any blackmail campaign against me."

At that time, she had sent an official letter to the prosecutor's office, requesting an investigation. She received no response.

"They never called me," she said. "They never asked for additional materials. They never asked for the envelope."

On Friday, two days after the video appeared, the prosecutor's office called her to question her about her request. Officials agreed to open a criminal case on charges of violation of privacy, but she also had asked for an investigation into her allegation about efforts to hinder her work as a journalist and is still awaiting a response.

The same day, Ismayilova to a gathering of civic society groups supporting her, and Radio Free Europe streamed it live on its home page. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty receives funding from the U.S. government to practice critical journalism in countries where it is perceived to be less free.

Also Friday, the explicit Ismayilova video disappeared from view in the U.S. and elsewhere.

"It's still available in Azerbaijan, but not in the Czech Republic," said Kenan Aliyev, who runs Radio Liberty's Azerbaijani service from Prague. "They are targeting Azerbaijan."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/19/world/asia/azerbaijan-video-defamation/index.html?iref=allsearch

[ninetoyadome]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Azerbaijan: What Is the Connection Between Hitler and Pop Music?
April 30, 2012 - 8:20am, by Giorgi Lomsadze Tamada Tales Azerbaijan Eurovision Azerbaijan Foreign Policy
Call it Godwin’s law in action; the longer an online debate goes on, the higher the probability becomes that one side will compare the other to Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. Hence, it took only so much German criticism of Azerbaijan's human rights record ahead of next month's Eurovision show in Baku before the country's ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party compared the Germans to the Nazis.

Like many Azerbaijani critics, many German officials and journalists have been thinking out loud that the continent’s major song contest should be used to push for an end to crackdowns on political dissent, free media and basic property rights, among other problem areas.

Baku’s thin-skinned responses to the criticism have taken many forms, including a recent article that placed pictures of German and Azerbaijani politicians critical of Baku in the company of no less than Adolf Hitler. The story was published in the official newspaper of President Ilham Aliyev's Yeni Azerbaijan Party.

Not exactly the kind of message you'd want on the eve of a concert started in the 1950s to bring post-war Europe together again.

The German embassy in Baku has complained already about earlier attacks by Azerbaijani media. As Eurovision's May 22 start date draws near, it shouldn't expect the anger to dwindle. This is pressure-cooker time for Azerbaijani officials and pro-government media, and sensitivities about international criticism are running strong.



Most recently, the spotlight has focused on the treatment of investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova, who was subjected to a video blackmail attempt while looking into links between senior officials and a company involved in Baku's Eurovision preparations.

At an April 27 news conference, Ismayilova, who works for RFE/RL and EurasiaNet.org, charged that prosecutors have gotten nowhere fast in investigating the case. But not so fast that they haven't managed to release personal details about her questioned friends and acquaintances -- an action her lawyers claim violates the law. The government, in remarks to RFE/RL, rejected the charge.

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65330

[Vrej1915]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

NB: The mine in question is in occupied parts of Northern Artsakh.
Just up from the well known Getashen/Martounashen villages, Ghrbatchev's soviet Red Army (IV Army) and Mutalibov's Omons captured during operation Goltzo (encirclement) , April 1991.
One of the other mines in question is in Karhad (aka-Tashkessan) district of Northern Artsakh ocuppied by the enemy.
The 3-rd one is in Occupied Nakhitchevan, on the western slopes of Gabudjugh (blue pick) montain of Zankezur, and basically is the alter ego of Kajaran mine, situated on the free side.
The 4-rth mine is nothing else, than the Sotk Mine, in Vartenis district of Armenia, on the border with Karvadjar district of NKR... the azaris attributed a mine they dream to hold, to the daughters of Aliyev baba, while it still needs to be captured....
----------------------------------------


Azerbaijani Government Awarded Gold-Field Rights To President's Family


Production is expected to begin at the Chovdar gold field in western Azerbaijan later this year. It contains reserves of 44 tons of gold and 164 tons of silver, worth about $2.5 billion at current prices.



By Nushabe Fatullayeva, Khadija Ismayilova
May 03, 2012
BAKU -- Novruz Allahverdiyev, 40, lives in a mud house in the village of Chovdar, a small mining town in the mountainous region near the border with Armenia. He is one of 800,000 internally displaced persons from the war with Armenia that battered his native Nagorno-Karabakh region in the early 1990s.

Allahverdiyev and members of 60 other displaced families found shelter and a place to farm in the mountains around Chovdar. Like many in his predicament, Allahverdiyev is patriotic, and the walls of his poor home are plastered with pages from an aging calendar featuring portraits of President Ilham Aliyev and his late father, former President Heydar Aliyev.

Allahverdiyev's family now faces yet another problem. A British mining company has taken over some of his land and has blocked one of the two streams his village relies on for water. Allahverdiyev is sure President Aliyev will help him and his community

But his faith may be misplaced. What Allahverdiyev doesn't know is that the president and his family own a stake in the new mine. The U.K. company is actually a front for the first family.

In two 2007 decrees, the state assigned the right to develop the Chovdar gold field and five other sites to a company called Azerbaijan International Mineral Resources Operating Company, Ltd. (AIMROC). AIMROC -- which controls a 70 percent stake in the mines, while the Azerbaijan government controls 30 percent -- has been building the infrastructure for the Chovdar mine and is expected to begin production this year.

Panamanian Trail

But sorting out AIMROC's structure is a daunting task. While Chovdar locals blame the "ingilis" (English) for their woes, the truth is quite different. AIMROC is a joint venture of four companies: Londex Resources, S.A, Willy and Meyris S.A., Fargate Mining Corporation, and Globex International LLP. All four are shell companies that, according to Azerbaijani officials, were set up specifically for this deal. It is unclear if any of them have any mining experience or other mining projects.


Graphic: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's family stake in the gold fields (click to enlarge).
A fifth company -- Mitsui Mineral Development Engineering Co Ltd (MINDECO), a mining-engineering company owned by Japan's Mitsui Mining and Smelting Company -- is listed as the official project supervisor, but has no ownership.

Of the four AIMROC owners, the only U.K.-based company is Globex International, which has an 11 percent stake, worth about $200 million. But Globex is actually owned by three companies registered in Panama: Hising Management SA, Lynden Management Group, Inc., and Arblos Management Corporation. According to Panamanian registration records, all three firms list President Aliyev's two daughters -- Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva -- and Swiss businessman Olivier Mestelan as senior managers.

Mestelan has long had close ties to the Aliyev family. He has organized artistic events with them and, together with Leyla and Arzu, appears in the records of other Panamanian companies being used as fronts for businesses in Azerbaijan, including the Azerfon cellular-services provider. Mestelan declined to be interviewed for this story.

Aliyev's office refused to answer questions about his family's business interests in the gold fields. Presidential spokesman Azer Gasimov did not return phone calls and did not respond to questions submitted in writing.

Opaque Decisions

AIMROC has been controversial from its beginning. The consortium was formed by a 2006 presidential decree that identified Globex as part of the consortium. In 2007, AIMROC was awarded 30-year leases on the mineral fields.

Chovdar alone is a lucrative parcel. According to the Azerbaijani Environment Ministry, it contains reserves of 44 tons of gold and 164 tons of silver, worth about $2.5 billion at current prices.

The contracts were awarded to AIMROC hastily and over the objections expressed by many members of parliament during hearings held in June 2007. Lawmakers complained that the consortium's ownership was opaque; that the contract was awarded in violation of bidding procedures; that none of the companies had any history of mining; and that the deal was contrary to Azerbaijan's national interests.


Ilham Aliyev's daughters, Arzu (left) and Leyla, are listed as senior managers at the Panamanian-registered companies.
During the hearings, deputy Valeh Aleskerov, chairman of the parliamentary Natural Resources Committee, defended the deal. He said the creation of offshore companies was "a common practice around the world" and that no tender was issued because of the uncertainty about how much mineral wealth there was. Instead, he said, the government held talks directly with potential investors.

The Environment Ministry's chief geologist, Agamahmud Samedov, told RFE/RL that the estimates of the other five fields are classified. He also declined to comment on AIMROC's ownership or its lack of mining experience.

When asked last month about AIMROC's ownership, Aleskerov said, "Do you think the Azerbaijani government would contract with someone unknown, with just anyone from the street?" When asked if the Aliyev family has any financial interest in the project, Aleskerov said only "Shame on you!" and hung up.

Professional Proxies

Parsing the rest of AIMROC's structure is more difficult. Londex Resources and Fargate Mining are registered in Panama, according to documents obtained from the Panama Registry of Companies.

The documents indicate that the companies are interrelated through a complicated chain of company directorships. All three are or were at one time owned by two companies registered at the same address on the tiny Caribbean island of Nevis: Casal Management and Tagiva Management.

Casal and Tagiva act or acted as the director for at least 20 companies in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Panama. It is likely that the companies are professional proxies used to hide actual ownership.

According to a document of the Tax Registry of Azerbaijan, Willy and Meyris S.A. (listed in some documents as Will & Meyris S.A.) is represented by a Czech geologist, Mirko Vanecek, the executive editor of "The Journal of Geosciences" in Prague.

'The President Is A Good Person'

Meanwhile, back in Chovdar, locals are looking forward to a rumored visit by President Aliyev to mark the opening of an ore refinery the consortium has built.

"We have heard that president will come to the opening ceremony of this factory," villager Paneh Huseynov says. "Please tell our president to come and visit us. Tell him we support his policies. We will not be allowed to approach him. Please, we ask him to come and ask about our living conditions. Then he'll see how we live and how we suffer."


Novruz Allahverdiyev is sure the president will help him.
Villagers had no idea that the president's family owns part of the mine operator. "How can the president be benefiting from this production? ... All of the companies here are foreign. Englishmen are running the business here," says one local who refuses to give his name.

Teacher Nureddin Ramazanov lost some land to AIMROC. With a salary of just $130 per month, Ramazanov says his family is starving.

"The company destroyed our road," he says. "Geologists took our land. They paid us only 2,000 manats [$2,500] per hectare.… Now I don't know how we'll survive."

Meanwhile, Karabakh exile Allahverdiyev says he is hoping to get a job at the mine. Locals say mining jobs pay the equivalent of $12 a day. So far, the mining site has hired very few locals.

Despite grinding poverty and the problems with the mine, most locals remain firm in their faith in Aliyev, whose omnipresent portrait gazes out over the people of Chovdar from the walls of shops and schools.

"The president knows nothing about this," says teacher Ramazanov. "Local officials say the president ordered that our land be taken, but I don't believe it. He is a good person."

This report was produced by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) in cooperation with RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service. OCCRP project coordinator Paul Cristian Radu contributed from Bucharest, and RFE/RL correspondent Robert Coalson contributed from Prague

http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan_gold-field_contract_awarded_to_presidents_family/24569192.html

[Vrej1915]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

ՔՐԴԱԿԱՆ ՀԱՐՑ. ԱԴՐԲԵՋԱՆԸ «ԳԼԽԻՑ» ՀԻՎԱՆԴ Է

ՎԱՀՐԱՄ ԱԹԱՆԵՍՅԱՆ

Երբ Բաքվում սպանվեց «Մոնիտոր» հանդեսի գլխավոր խմբագիր Էլմար Հուսեյնովը, ոչ ոք չէր կասկածում, որ դա հատուկ ծառայությունների ձեռքի գործն է: Կարծիքները կիսվեցին պատճառների հարցում: Վարկածներից մեկն էլ այն էր, որ իշխանությունները Հուսեյնովից վրեժխնդիր են եղել PKK-ի եւ կառավարող վարչախմբի կապերի մասին լրագրողական հետաքննության համար: Այդ թեմայով «Մոնիտորն» իրոք, առնվազն երկու ծավալուն հրապարակում արել է: Առաջինը նվիրված է Հեյդար Ալիեւի ՊԱԿ-ական կենսագրության մի ուշագրավ փաստին. նրա ծառայողական տվյալներում շուրջ հինգ տարվա մի ժամանակահատվածի մասին ընդամենը ասված է, որ «կատարել է հատուկ առաջադրանքներ»: Որտե՞ղ է «հատուկ առաջադրանքներ կատարել» Ադրբեջանի ապագա կոմունիստական եւ հետխորհրդային ժամանակների առաջնորդը` մնում է գաղտնիք:

Այդուհանդերձ, Էլմար Հուսեյնովը, համադրելով մի շարք աղբյուրներից հայտնաբերած անուղղակի տեղեկությունները, եկել էր համոզման, որ Հեյդար Ալիեւը խորհրդային հատուկ ծառայությունների կողմից «գործուղված է եղել Իրաք եւ Թուրքիա, որպեսզի ստեղծի PKK-ն»: Նա պնդել էր, որ Հեյդար Ալիեւը «ազգությամբ քուրդ է, եւ այդ պատճառով է, որ ՊԱԿ-ի ընտրությունը կանգ է առել նրա վրա»:

Լրագրողական երկրորդ հետաքննության թեման Նախիջեւանում Հեյդար Ալիեւի գործունեությունն է: «Մոնիտոր»-ը պարզել է, որ Ադրբեջանում իշխանության վերադառնալու համար Հեյդար Ալիեւը «Թուրքիայում վերականգնել է PKK-ի հետ վաղեմի կապերը»: Նրա կողմից «բանագնացներ են եղել Քյամալեդդին Հեյդարովը եւ Բեգլար Էյուբովը, երկուսն էլ` էթնիկ քրդեր»: Հիշյալներից առաջինը ներկայումս Ադրբեջանի արտակարգ իրավիճակների նախարարն է, երկրորդը` նախագահի թիկնազորի պետը: Ընդ որում, երկուսն էլ պաշտոն ստացել են Հեյդար Ալիեւից: «Մոնիտոր»-ը բազմաթիվ օրինակներով հանգել է եզրակացության, որ այդ երկու ազդեցիկ պաշտոնյաները «որոշակիորեն ֆինանսավորում են PKK-ի գործունեությունը, քանի որ վերջինիս հետ կապված են խիստ պատասխանատու պայմանավորվածություններով»:

Վերջին տարիներին ադրբեջանական մամուլը մեկ անգամ չէ, որ գրել է «Ադրբեջանի քրդացման» մասին: Հարեւան երկրի մի քանի տարածաշրջաններում, այդ թվում` Գյանջայում եւ հարակից տարածքներում, «քրդերն ունեն ազդեցիկ բիզնես-հենարաններ»: Տեղեկություններ կան նույնիսկ, որ Ադրբեջանում «PKK-ն ունի հարկահավաքության սեփական ցանցը»: Խնդիրն այնքան է սրված, որ Ադրբեջանում ներդրումներ անող թուրք գործարարները նույնպես ենթարկվում են PKK-ի «հարկահավաքների ճնշումներին»:

Թուրք-ադրբեջանական հարաբերություններում փորձաքար է մնում նաեւ Անկարայի պահանջը, որպեսզի Ադրբեջանը խորհրդարանի որոշման մակարդակով PKK-ին ճանաչի «իբրեւ տեռորիստական կազմակերպության», իշխանությունները, մինչդեռ, բավարարվում են բանավոր հավաստիացումներով: Իշխող վարչախումբն, ամենայն հավանականությամբ, ձեռնպահ է մնում կտրուկ քայլերից` երկյուղ ունենալով, որ PKK-ն կփոխադարձի հնչեղ բացահայտումներով: Թուրքական կողմի համառ պահանջն ինքնին վկայում է, որ այդ երկրի հատուկ ծառայություններն էլ քաջատեղյակ են, որ Ադրբեջանում PKK-ն քաղաքական եւ ֆինանսական հովանավորություն ունի:

Այդուհանդերձ, թուրք-ադրբեջանական որոշակի շրջանակներ պարբերաբար սեփական տարաձայնությունները փորձում են քողարկել «քուրդ անջատողականներին Հայաստանի տարածքից զենք մատակարարելու» մասին անհիմն մտավարժանքներով: Ադրբեջանական կողմը հատկապես որ խնդիրն օգտագործում է «մեղրի մասին երգը» վերստին հնչեցնելու համար: Ոմն Իլդիրիմ Մամեդով, մասնավորապես «մեկնաբանելով թուրքական ԶԼՄ-երի հաղորդագրությունները, որ ռուսաստանյան սպառազինությունները քուրդ անջատողականների մոտ հայտնվում են Հայաստանի տարածքից», ոչ միայն «հիմնավորել է» դա, այլեւ ավելացրել. «Տեղեկություն կա, որ քուրդ զինյալները մարտական պատրաստություն են ացնում Հայաստանի կողմից «օկուպացված ադրբեջանական» (չակերտները մերն են- Վ. Ա.) տարածքներում»:

Այստեղ են ասել` «հիվանդ գլխից բարդում է առողջի վրա»:

Քրդական խնդրի հանդեպ ադրբեջանական կողմի անկեղծությանը հնարավոր կլինի հավատալ միայն այն դեպքում, եթե, հետեւելով «ավագ եղբայր» Թուրքիային, Բաքվում իշխող վարչախումբը PKK-ն հռչակի «ահաբեկչական կազմակերպություն» եւ իշխանությունից հեռացնի Քյամալեդդին Հեյդարովին ու Բեգլար Էյուբովին: Այսինքն` իշխող ընտանիքի երկու հենասյուներին: Երրորդը Նախիջեւանի կառավարիչն է, որը նույնպես սերտ կապեր ունի քրդական շրջանակների հետ: Նա եւ Բեգլար Էյուբովը քենակալ են, երկուսով` Հեյդար Ալիեւի հարազատ քրոջ փեսա: Կգնա՞ Իլհամ Ալիեւը նման վճռական քայլի: Օրերս նրա անմիջական կարգադրությամբ ձերբակալվել է իր հորեղբորորդուն պատկանող առեւտրական բանկի կառավարիչը: Գուցե նրա համար, որ քրդական շրջանակները նաեւ այդ բանկի՞ց են ֆինանասավորվում: Կամ գուցե հորեղբորորդին հրաժարվե՞լ է «մուծել»:

Ամեն դեպքում, Հարավային Կովկասում եթե PKK-ն հենարան ունի, ապա` միայն Ադրբեջանում: Այնտեղ են սրբությամբ հարգում «համազգային առաջնորդի անունն ու գործը»: Իսկ Հեյդար Ալիեւի «մեծագործությունների» շարքում իր արժանի տեղն ունի PKK-ի հետ նրա կենսական կապը:

http://www.azg.am/AM/2012050410