Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

[Haykakan]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

THE VOICE OF RUSSIA: THE NUMBER OF WAHHABIS IN AZERBAIJAN GROWS EVERY DAY BY TURKEY'S HELP

15:11 22/10/2013 " SOCIETY

The number of Wahhabis in Azerbaijan is growing every day, and the
sponsors from the Arabic countries, particularly from Saudi Arabia
and Turkey, have the most active part in the process of spreading
Wahhabism in Azerbaijan, states the article published on the website of
"The Voice of Russia" radio station.

The article reads that the followers of radical religious teachings
have recently taken roots in Azerbaijan and have become a headache
for the law enforcement. Radical Islamist movements are often funded
from abroad.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey have the most active part in the process of
spreading Wahhabism in Azerbaijan. They carry out propaganda among
the poor under the guise of charitable activities. For example, they
offer the local youth free education in their countries. After getting
there religious education, the Azerbaijani graduates return home with
"non-traditional" views.

Such a network of agents, influence, plus unlimited financial
contributions promote spreading radical Islamic movements in
Azerbaijan, said the senior scientific associate at the Arabic and
Islamic Research Center of the Oriental Studies Institute of Russian
Academy of Sciences Boris Dolgov.

"Radical Islamists are supported by both Turkey, and, in some respect,
by Western powers, which have their own strategic interests. This kind
of support affects the enforcement of radical Islam in the region,
including Azerbaijan. Here, the ideas of radical Islamism and Wahhabism
spread under the motto of establishing an Islamic state, which will
supposedly solve all the problems of social, economic and political
nature," he said.

"The Voice of Russia" notes that recently various foreign media
regularly report about the death of citizens of Azerbaijan, who
fight on the side of the Syrian rebels. According to some estimates,
more than 300 people from Azerbaijan are fighting in Afghanistan
and Pakistan. Reinforcement of radical Islamic groups in Azerbaijan
threatens the stability both in the Caucasus and in Central Asia,
stated Alexander Krylov, the leading researcher at the World Economy
and International Relations Institute of the Russian Academy of
Sciences.

"Radical Islam is not just a religion; it plays the role of the
political ideology that seeks to change the society in general and to
establish a worldwide caliphate. Azerbaijan could become a part of
a worldwide caliphate too, so the danger here is obvious; it is the
destabilization of the situation according to the Libyan or Syrian
script," he said.

According to various estimates, the number of followers of radical
Islamic movements in Azerbaijan reaches up to 20,000 people.

Conspiring skillfully , they operate under the auspices of various
charities and religious movements. They can come out of the shadows
and become a real threat at any moment, "The Voice of Russia" writes.

Recall that the relationship between international terrorist groups and
Azerbaijan originated in the early 1990s. That time, the Azerbaijani
army, having failed in the aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR), retreated with losses. Trying to save the situation,
the Azerbaijani leadership, headed by Heydar Aliyev attracted to the
war against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh international terrorists
and members of radical groups from Afghanistan (groupings of Gulbuddin
Hekmatyar), Turkey ("Grey Wolves", etc.), Chechnya (groupings Basayev
and Raduyev etc.) and some other regions.

Despite the involvement in of thousands of foreign mercenaries and
terrorists in the Azerbaijani army during the war, the Azerbaijani
aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh Republic failed, and the Baku
authorities were forced to sign an armistice with the NKR and Armenia.

However, international terrorists found ties in Azerbaijan, and used
them in the future. Recruitment was conducted among Azerbaijanis,
who then were sent to Afghanistan and the North Caucasus, where
participated in the battles against the forces of the international
coalition and Russian organizations.

In recent years, the citizens of Azerbaijan are actively involved in
terrorist and extremist activities in Russia, Afghanistan and Syria.

In Azerbaijan the citizens are brought to criminal liability for
participating in "illegal armed groups" in Afghanistan, sentenced to
minor terms of imprisonment.

http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2013/10/22/wahhabites/

[Haykakan]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

US CRITICIZE COUNCIL OF EUROPE FOR ASSESSMENT OF AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

October 25, 2013 | 13:04

The U.S. criticized Council of Europe mission for giving positive
assessment of Azerbaijani presidential elections. The criticism was
voiced by Christopher Midura, Acting Deputy Chief of US Mission to
the OSCE, in response to the address by the CE Secretary General
Thorbjorn Jagland, Contact.az reported.

"Wile ODIHR and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly found 'significant
problems throughout all stages of election day processes' and found
that the election was 'undermined by limitations on the freedoms of
expression, assembly and association,' we were surprised that the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) assessed that
a 'free, fair and transparent' process prevailed on election day,"
the letter mentions.

He recalled that US had recently joined the Council of Europe's Venice
Commission as a full member of and "looks forward to promoting human
rights and democratic governance through that important institution."

"The US believes that the OSCE and the Council of Europe have
significant, complementary roles to play in strengthening respect
for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and rule of law,"
reads the statement.

Azerbaijani opposition accused authorities of paying bribes to the PACE
mission. The opposition claimed the talks were held in Hilton hotel in
Strasbourg. The Council of Europe did not respond to the accusations.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

[Mher]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jpP95k2jbk

lol I really don't get these people. It's like they try to make themselves look like complete fools. You would think tens of billions of dollars just spilling out of your ass would buy you some class, or civility, or dignity, but it doesn't look like it

at 6:00 is an alltime classic scene
" I think the main thing is to have goal, if you have goals its easy to achieve them"

at 6:50, when a tough question comes up, the fat bald guy in the background loses it

[Haykakan]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jpP95k2jbk

lol I really don't get these people. It's like they try to make themselves look like complete fools. You would think tens of billions of dollars just spilling out of your ass would buy you some class, or civility, or dignity, but it doesn't look like it

at 6:00 is an alltime classic scene
" I think the main thing is to have goal, if you have goals its easy to achieve them"

at 6:50, when a tough question comes up, the fat bald guy in the background loses it

Too bad i can't hear what they are saying-they volume is too low.

[Hakob]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

12:14 12/12/2013 » SOCIETY
Life in Baku behind Potemkin’s village facade: Ruins, poverty, disappointment

“The centre of Baku looks nice from a window of a car, it is full of lights and beautiful buildings, while in a five minute drive from the centre one encounters completely different life; ruins, poverty, disappointment”, states the article “Baku; life as in Bangladesh, façade as in Dubai” published in “Haqqin.az” Azerbaijani portal.

The author notes that tourists coming to Azerbaijan want to have fun not to get upset, that is why they don’t notice bad sides of the country.

“Reincarnation of Baku is not a novel thing by its nature; it’s a lesson for new rapidly developing countries of how to make a city attractive only for those who look at it from a car window. So that they will only see the shimmering illumination of skyscrapers, Flame Towers, a huge flag waving in the air and the newly built glittering Ferries wheel. “Baku is fascinating, only if … To find out that “only if” we have visited just the parallel street of National Flag Square, where we witnessed a completely different life. It doesn’t look like a centre, either by appearance or by content. It is full of ruins, poverty and disappointment”, state the article.

The author notes that in the 20th section of Bailovo or “Shanghai” village, as Baku’s population calls it (several districts of Baku are also called by that name), there are living people who also have families, who as well need a place to live in. The houses here are constructed mostly illegally, and are subject to demolition. However, no one touches them. Why to do so? What the government will do with that territory? The oligarchs have their own territories, where they have already built mansions with stunning views over the city, though they are stunning only if they don’t turn their heads.


“A little boy shouts at us,-“Why are you taking photos of me,” and he started beating me with his fists. For him the camera is an insult. No one here wants anyone to know how they are living and actually, no one knows. Can we imagine that the photos of Bailovo will appear in a tourist guide and the tour busses will visit this place , while in front of the entrance some people sell souvenirs?…it is ridiculous”, notes the author.

As the article posits, “When visiting a city like Copenhagen, you are affected not by the beauty of the city but by the fact that you admire that scene during the whole journey. The same goes with Tbilisi, even if it is not always neat and tidy. “What comes to Baku, its centre is like Dubai; skyscrapers, shopping malls, good roads, while the outskirts resemble to Bangladesh; landfills, collapsing houses without any facilities, outdated cars, which surprisingly still operate and what is most important people, people full of despair. However, one even doesn’t need to drive far, this scene can be encountered while walking in the city centre and turning into the inner side of the houses. The comparison is very significant”, notes the article.

The author indicates that the building “Khrushchevka” which is situated in the same area as AzDrama now has a beautiful façade, but the life of the people living in that building has even worsened.

Now their houses have cheap plastic windows without any soundproofing provided by the state. At nights the residents have to listen to noise of the fountains, cars and to quarrels of drunken people. The lights illuminating the house blind the residents till 2 am in the morning. The yards are not well constructed either.

“Oddly enough I think that the officials didn’t even consider taking care of their citizens. They thought “now when the building has a beautiful façade it is enough for the residents to become happy. The main aim of the officials is to make the city attractive and beautiful for those who observe it from a car window. When there were presidential elections in Azerbaijan, I saw several cars of the representatives of observing missions, including OSCE traveling in the city. The windows of the cars were of a toned glass, very black. I don’t even mention that this kind of windows is forbidden in the country. What was the aim of putting those windows? Was it to make the representatives invisible or to make them see less? A good question. Nevertheless, the nerds from ODIHR saw too much, but this is completely another story,” reads the article.

A large wall on the road from the airport to Baku prevents visitors to see the real life of the city.” This kind of “fences with ornaments” is present also in other regional towns of Azerbaijan. “I would like to look into the eyes of the man who invented them, although it is unlikely as that man died long time ago. His name was Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin. Always bowing to both local and foreign emperors he didn’t give real solution to any problem. This man set an example for the whole country how to gain favour. Yeah, thank you, we‘ve learnt it very well,” notes the author.

[HermanGerman]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Too bad i can't hear what they are saying-they volume is too low.

Try this yexpayr

[Hakob]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Increase of fuel prices by Azerbaijani government boosted rise of food prices by 15-20%

“After Azerbaijani Tariff Council increased the prices of gasoline and oil products, an increase in prices of food is noticed in the markets and shops of Baku. Overall, price growth is mainly observed among agricultural products which are brought to the capital city from the regions of the republic,” Azerbaijani information portal Turan reports.

As it is stated in the article, the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee presented their data and claimed that food prices in the country have already grown. According to their statistics, even before the rise of fuel prices, in November of 2013 the food prices have already increased by 1.4%. That price hike affected flour, rice, bread, pasta, beef, chicken, fish and meat products, milk and dairy products, eggs, butter, vegetable oil, pears, quince, pomegranates, potatoes, onions and garlic.

“Experts think that there will be an increase in prices in December. The reasons are considered to be the rise of gasoline prices and approaching New Year,” states Turan.

Note that Tariff Council of Azerbaijan starting from December 3 sharply increased the price of gasoline and diesel fuel by 27%-33% and the price of gas for enterprises became almost twice the former price. Earlier, in January of 2007 by the decision of Tariff Council of Azerbaijan the prices were again increased; the price of gasoline grew by 50%; price of electricity increased three times and the price of water became twice its former price. The fare of public transportation has increased by more than 30%.

Azerbaijani independent experts declared that the increase of fuel prices will generate growth in prices of food and other goods. On Sunday Azerbaijani opposition held a rally in Baku against rising prices. The protestants demanded the resignation of Azerbaijani government.

[Hakob]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Azerbaijani police cordoned off mosques in Baku after shootout took place between Wahhabis in Sumgait

Mosques in Baku and areas surrounding Azerbaijan are cordoned off by police, a group of religious people has told the Azerbaijani portal "Haqqin.az." According to them, the police keep Baku Mosques under control for several days already.

As stated in the article, the correspondent of the site has visited a number of mosques and has personally got convinced in rightfulness of the religious people.

According to police, the necessity to control the mosques is due to the latest clashes between members of different religious sects in Azerbaijan. In particular, after the shootout that took place in Sumgait between representatives of extremist movements of "Salafi" and "Khawariji" the police took control over the "Garachukhur" and "Ilahiyyat" mosques.

As "Kavkazski Uzel" informs in Azerbaijan two more people, suspected in involvement of the armed incident between the Salafis and the followers of "Khawarij" religious movement in Sumgait, are detained. Thus, the total number of detainees reached to nine.

The shootout occurred on December 11, in the evening in the city of Sumgait. According to the Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, the conflict occurred because of the religious cleavages between two religious groups "Khawarij" and "Salafis". During the conflict, automatic weapons and grenades were used. As a result, 4 people were injured and seven suspects detained.

[Mher]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

Increase of fuel prices by Azerbaijani government boosted rise of food prices by 15-20%

“After Azerbaijani Tariff Council increased the prices of gasoline and oil products, an increase in prices of food is noticed in the markets and shops of Baku. Overall, price growth is mainly observed among agricultural products which are brought to the capital city from the regions of the republic,” Azerbaijani information portal Turan reports.

As it is stated in the article, the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee presented their data and claimed that food prices in the country have already grown. According to their statistics, even before the rise of fuel prices, in November of 2013 the food prices have already increased by 1.4%. That price hike affected flour, rice, bread, pasta, beef, chicken, fish and meat products, milk and dairy products, eggs, butter, vegetable oil, pears, quince, pomegranates, potatoes, onions and garlic.

“Experts think that there will be an increase in prices in December. The reasons are considered to be the rise of gasoline prices and approaching New Year,” states Turan.

Note that Tariff Council of Azerbaijan starting from December 3 sharply increased the price of gasoline and diesel fuel by 27%-33% and the price of gas for enterprises became almost twice the former price. Earlier, in January of 2007 by the decision of Tariff Council of Azerbaijan the prices were again increased; the price of gasoline grew by 50%; price of electricity increased three times and the price of water became twice its former price. The fare of public transportation has increased by more than 30%.

Azerbaijani independent experts declared that the increase of fuel prices will generate growth in prices of food and other goods. On Sunday Azerbaijani opposition held a rally in Baku against rising prices. The protestants demanded the resignation of Azerbaijani government.

hey aper, I appreciate the articles you post and they are usually very helpful, but please get in the habit of providing links.

[Hakob]

Re: Azerbaijan - Internal Political Affairs

By Panorama.am. Minister of Education of Azerbaijan reveals falsificationы in official statistics: first-graders are less by 12 thousand

The Azerbaijani Minister of Education stated the actual number of the first-graders in the country. They turned out to be less by 8% or nearly 12,000 than the number of the children born during the corresponding year indicated in the official statistics.

According to the Azerbaijani news agency "APA", the Education Minister Mikail Jabbarov in his speech made at the XIV Congress of teachers of the Republic stated that currently in 4513 educational institutions of Azerbaijan 1 million 188 students study and 151 thousand 538 teachers work.

According to Mikail Jabbarov in recent years, "the number of children attending the first class grows." Thus, the Azerbaijani Minister noted that 137 thousand children attended the first class in 2013/2014 academic year.

The children born in 2006 went to first class in 2013, while according to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, in 2006, there were born 148.9 thousand children in the Republic. Given that, according to the Minister of Education of Azerbaijan only 137 thousand children attended the first class, a natural question arises: where the 11,900 or 8% of children have gone which is the total number of births? Were they born in Azerbaijan, but left the country with their parents in the last 7 years? Don’t they go to school? Or maybe they have never existed, and those thousands of children appeared only on paper?

If we consider that a part of the first-graders was born in 2007, then the difference will be even more serious, because, according to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, in 2007 there were born 151,900 children in the republic.

Azerbaijani authorities seriously overstate the population of the country by falsifying a series of indicators. However, some data are periodically being published in Azerbaijan whcih contradict the official statistics of the "growth" of the population of the republic. Thus, in January 2013 the chairman of the Azerbaijani State Student Admission Commission Maleyka Abbaszade, at the presentation of the 12th issue of the journal “Abiturent”("Entrant"-Ed.), while summarizing the results of scientific and statistical analysis of the enrollment of students for the 2012-2013 academic year, stated that over the past eight years, the number of high school graduates in Azerbaijan had decreased by 33810 person or by 27.46%.

Earlier, in July 2012, scandal broke out in Azerbaijan in connection with a major falsification aimed at "increasing" the number of students. The scandal started after the statement of Maleyke Abbaszade, the Chairman of the State Commission for Students Admission, which stated that 90,000 students were to participate in the final exams of the 9th grade, but actually only 78,000 participated. Abbaszade noted that she knew nothing about the fate of 22 thousand students of IX and XI classes, who were to take part in the finals of 2012.

Commenting on the situation, expert Alovsat Osmanli noted that instead of 90,000 students 78,000 attended the final exams of the 9th grade. "Meanwhile, 8000 of 78,000 failed the exams. This means that only seventy thousand graduates were able to get the Certificate of General Education," said Alovsat Osmanli. As the expert said, according to the statistics, 11 years ago 133 thousand pupils entered the Azerbaijani schools. Of these 133 thousand students only 70,000 could get high school diploma.

Besides, the data of the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan concerning the number of persons over 18 have been seriously overstated in comparison with the data of the CEC of the republic. Thus, in November 2010, the head of the Azerbaijani Election Monitoring Center and democracy training Anar Mamedly turned to the head of the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan with a request to clarify the situation, pointing out the difference in the figures of voters recorded in the data of the CEC and the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan. Thus, on the website of the CEC it is stated that there are 4,829,888 people registered on the list of the voters. The website of the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan stated that Azerbaijan's population over 18 (who has the right to vote) is about 6,438,000 people. The Azerbaijani state agencies could not explain difference of figures in 1.6 million people.

In June 2013 Akif Gurbanov, Azerbaijani CEC member, stated, "The report of State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan indicates population of 9 million 356 thousand people. More than 6 million 467 thousand people are aged above 20. In the report of the CEC the figure of the voters has reached 4 million 986 thousand people. The difference in numbers makes one and a half million. Where are these voters?"

In July 2013 the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed in its report concerns about the fact that according to the State Statistics Committee, the number of those who are over 20 exceeds the number of the voters with 1.5 million.

In previous articles on this topic we have already indicated that the population size of Azerbaijan is overstated by State Committee on Statistics of the Republic approximately with 37%. In reality, the calculations show that the population of Azerbaijan is overstated by State Statistical Committee of the Republic approximately with 3.5 million people and is unlikely to exceed 5.8 million.