The fraudulent elections, followed by the post-election repression of pro-opposition citizens and violence at 26 November demonstration created an open scene for the international community to demonstrate the official standpoint toward the public-political situation in Azerbaijan. The official statements of diplomatic corps and respectful international institutions are followed up in the society with the biggest interest and concern. As a matter of fact, US Government has become the special target for criticism from the side of both national and international experts. (08-DEC-2005)
Opinion of National Political Analysts
Commenting the U.S. government´s statement about its willingness to cooperate with the new Azerbaijani parliament, the political analyst Rasim Musabeyov said that U.S. geopolitical and oil interests forced the U.S. to cooperate with Azerbaijani authorities. “If Washington were to pressure Baku, it is entirely possible that the Azerbaijani government would seek protection in the Russian Federation, which would not suit the West. Washington has no direct leverage on Azerbaijani authorities, because Baku is not financially dependent on the U.S”, noted Musabeyov.
Another political analyst, Zardusht Alizade, said that political and economic interests are more important for America than democracy and the recent parliamentary elections have once again proved that fact.
Famous expert Hikmet Hajizade said that U.S. pragmatism became apparent directly after elections. The day after elections the U.S. State Department´s spokesman said though elections were far from democratic standards, Washington would continue its cooperation with Azerbaijan. Hajizade said that though U.S. legislation supports sanctions against non-democratic states, the president could propose that the U.S. Congress make an exception for countries of great importance for the United States.
Azerbaijani Opposition Blames US Government for “Double Standards”
On the 3-rd of December the opposition blocs Azadlig (Liberty), Mill Birlik (National Unity) and Milli Istiglal (National Independence) Party made a statement about dissatisfaction of the position of US Government toward the situation in Azerbaijan. The statement expressed regret over the fact official Washington had given a hasty assessment to elections before final report of OSCE/ODIHR and approval of parliamentary elections results by the Constitutional Court.
The parties claim that such a position of U.S. government is contrary to Bush´s inauguration speech, in which he said “we will be together with people seeking freedom.” Authors of the statement remind of the U.S. Ambassador Rino Harnish´s statements that election results in the districts will be called into question, if they differ from exit poll results by more than 3 percent. Authors of the statement claim that such a U.S. position is contrary to statement of U.S. Congress Helsinki Commission that “Azerbaijan has rejected democracy.”
Opposition claims that U.S. has applied “double standard” policy to elections in Azerbaijan, because Washington´s position to elections in Georgia and Ukraine was absolutely different. The statement expressed regret over the fact that U.S. President and State Department did not “defend” their pre-election statements and delivered damage to democracy in Azerbaijan. The statement reads that U.S. high-ranking officials should give explanations to Azerbaijani people about the U.S. government´s position.
In addition, the opposition condemned Russian and Turkish governments for support of “corrupt” Azerbaijani authorities and stated that their position “is contrary to interests of our nations and governments”.
Meeting of US Ambassador and Opposition Leaders 
On the 7-th of December, U.S. Ambassador Rino Harnish (on the right) met with the leaders of the opposition blocs Azadlig and Milli Birlik. The meeting, which lasted for over 1,5 hours, was held in the Popular Front Party´s (PPFA) headquarters, because opposition leaders refused to meet in the U.S. Embassy.
After the meeting the Ambassador briefly commented on its results and called the talks “productive.” But then he deviated from the subject, speaking instead about the forthcoming U.S. programs to support the development of democracy in Azerbaijan. When asked what was discussed in the meeting, Harnish said that the opposition expressed its opinion on the parliamentary elections. To conclude the Ambassador said he is looking forward to future meetings with opposition leaders.
PPFA leader Ali Kerimli told journalists that the last statement of the U.S. Embassy and State Department, which welcomed the Constitutional Court´s decision approving the parliamentary election results, was discussed during the meeting. The U.S. government therein said that it recognizes the new parliament and plans to work with it. The opposition leader said that Washington´s position “causes surprise and bewilderment.” Numerous election irregularities were registered by international observers, who said that the elections fell short of international standards and were not democratic. Nevertheless, Washington welcomed the election results. Kerimli also noted that opposition leaders have issued a joint statement condemning the U.S.´s position.
The meeting with U.S. Ambassador did not change the opinion of either side. Kerimli said Harnish promised “to think” about the opposition´s arguments. The Ambassador recommended that opposition deputies attend sessions of the new parliament, but opposition leaders said that such attendance would be pointless, because the elections were falsified and the victories of only seven opposition representatives were recognized. Kerimli also made it clear that opposition does not believe U.S. statements that new democratic elections will be conducted in 10 districts. “The U.S. wanted to see democratic parliamentary elections on November 6 in exactly the same way,” noted Kerimli ironically.
US Ambassador Promises to Support Democracy in Future
The U.S. Ambassador Reno Harnish called “unpleasant event” criticizing of the U.S. president on the part of PACE reporters for recognition of the results of parliamentary elections and readiness to cooperate with the new structure of the Milli Mejlis.
The Ambassador said that during a year USA had done much for support of democracy in Azerbaijan in close cooperation with the OSCE and the CE, and he expressed dissatisfaction with assessment of “joint activity” of USA with the OSCE and CE on the part of reporters.
Commenting of criticizing of Washington on the part of opposition Harnish said that the USA “consequently” supports democracy in Azerbaijan. He did not exclude that periodically America will be criticized either on the part of “Azadlig”, or on the part of “Yeni Azerbaijan”.
“Nevertheless, we will keep our relations open and sincere with parties and people of the country,” the Ambassador said. Harnish wished active participation of opposition in the political life including use of deputy mandates received as result of elections. “Of course, opposition itself must adopt such decision,” Harnish said. Commenting on the opinion expressed in media that the USA did not support the opposition, the Ambassador said that the official representatives of USA more than once stated that Washington supports not concrete political forces, but the process of democracy itself.
In the whole, according to Harnish, efforts of the USA on providing democratic elections had “certain” results. He mentioned objectiveness of some media, progress in the freedom of assembly, participation of more than 1,500 deputies in the elections. He said that thanks to these “positive” moments “in some districts deputies have been really elected by people.”
At the same time, Harnish stated that the elections, as the report of ODIHR/OSCE noted, did not meet international democratic standards. In conclusion the Ambassador told: “The USA will do their best for support of people of Azerbaijan in search of democracy.”
