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6/1/1992 - Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Azerbaijan: Part Two by Thomas Goltz

Part Two INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD A FFAIRS TH E CRANE ROGERS FOUNDATION WEST WHEELOCK STREET PETER BIRD MARTIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HANOVER NH 03755 U S A TELEPHONE TELEX 953115 SNNS HANOVER TELEFAX To Readers Tom Goltz newsletters From Peter Martin Using weary gauge I arbitrarily divided Tom Newsletter Number parts This Part Two You welcome THEINSTITUTEOFCURRENTWORLDAFFAIRSISANEXEMPTOPERATINGFOUNDATION ALLCONTRIBUTIONSARETAXDEDUCTIBLE ASPROVIDEDBYLAW Agreeing peace Azerbaijan prepares War Baku Azerbaijan Despite aqreement participate international peace conference Nagorno Karabakh leadership former Soviet Republic Azerbaijan today announced plans country footing counter Armenian gains around disputed enclave territory The peace conference agreement reached Finnish capital Hel sinki between Armenian Azerbaijan other CSCE member countries foresees meeting between Armenia Azerbaijan along eight other nations Belorus capital Mensk No peace conference given But Baku representatives Helsinki agreeing mediation government forming voiced commitment agressively defend country frontiers through increased military preparedness The issue maintaining independent military force outside control structure Commonwealth Independent States first mooted months little until recently string defeats hands Armenian militiamen Nagorno Karabakh abundantly clear Azeris create credible force The Xojali remaining Azeri enclaves within Armenian enclave attendant massacre civilians month directly resignation President Ayaz Mutalibov early month Mutalibov being followed political pogrom those perceived retarded reation At special session Supreme Soviet Jr Azeri parliament Tuesday speaker after speaker including acting president Dr Yagub Mahmedov withering attacks former government without mentioning prospect negotiated peace Armenia Rather Azeri position frozen national honor those Armenians lived Nagorno Karabakh there subscribe Azeri normal citizens state other Armenians This position opposition Popular Front which holds virtual power policy Azerbaijan The recent Front government acting Defense Minister Rahim Gaziev mathematician turned soldier organized defense Shusha Azeri stronghold Nagorno K Gaziev scored further national points threatened Baku second Tiblisi Russian troops Mutalibov former president communist party resigned We coming Xojali other Azeri villages Karabakh Armenians Gaziev address Tuesday chants applause members communist numerically dominate present Azeri parliament I today accuse anyone chamber responsible disastrous situation today We present Gaziev defense establishment heads We called volunteers terms The borders under attack bothered fortify positions continued There sense tactics uipment available knows This truth people understand To build takes years presently He called parliament declare state emergency places entertainment whole nation might understand conditions soldiers living front Those willing homeland right He harsl attacked predecessors looting The first first minister defense Gaz luxury sedan Gaziev harged I ordered complete check inistry defense established stolen money material enders should tried under against nation Gaziev would report parliament month should because there To address Gaziev called everal retired generals assist rganization existing militia groups acting their front should liquidated included before Azerbaijan devolves Lebanon specif caliy demanded weapons registered Ministry Defense Supreme Soviet authority dismantle volunteer forces faced gravest problem because truth enemies among friends acting minister Acting President Dr Yagub Mahmedov appeared embraced nationalist position praising Gaziev speech promising parliament would measures Gaziev deemed necessary salvation country Mahmedov everyone accept Azerbaijan state emergency state Mahmedov reiterated Karabakh conflict might still solved through peaceful means moral material resources ration marshalled peace negotiations oblique reference nation conference Mensk In other speeches floor political pogrom continued unabated politicians ormerly loyal Soviet system attempted distance themselves embrace nationalist cause The bizarre moment special session Sheikh Islam Allahshukur Pashazade chief Muslim cleric Muslims Caucasus region weakly defended himself against allegations served KGB agent In addition threaten resign unless unfounded press reports about association former Soviet security apparatus cease Pashazade suggested Karabakh problem result natio having strayed Shariah slamic The Sheikh remarks peels derisive laughter Above New Defense Minister Rahim Gaziev Below Two Baku Babes Oblivious To War In The Land Politica Crisis Azerbaijan Grows Baku The political crisis Azerbaijan continued deepen decision broad based Popular Front movement participate coalition government remnant5 former communist party The decision after stormy parliament convened create policy national unity deteriorating military situation disputed territory Nagorno Karabakh But session quickly devolved heated debate future presidential apparatus status former communist controlled parliament itself Nagorno Karabakh largely Armenian populated autonomous region within Azerbaijan completely dominated domestic political scene Azerbaijan months years But erupted issue February Armenian militiamen allegedly backed former Soviet troops overran remaining Azeri Turkish settlements region slaughtered hundreds fleeing civilians Publi indignation initial silence government resignation President Ayaz Mutalibov March there leadership vacuum departure Although despised Azeris being little Moscow puppet Muta represent central authority there The powerful position president temporarily filled chairman parliament Dr Yagub Mahmedov Mutal intimate former communist functionary initially tried distance himself tainted legacy After making historic decision enter consultations Popular Front broad based dissident ement grown shadow government streets Mahmedov Prime Minister Hasan Hasanov agreed principle presidential apparatus should suspended abolished Popular F conditions participate emergency government The Front demanded parliament suspend itself legislative power t1_i_l_l_i h_r_a National Counc person equally divided between members parliamentary minority opposition communist elite The government appeared comply Front demands Hasanov appointed three Front supported assume cabinet posts Minister Defense Interior Publications But described Front leaders double cross Mahmedov called issue presidency former communist party dominated parIlament The results predictable desperate retain their status majority voted against ition suspension presidential apparatus clung constitutional legality which presidential elections within three months president resignation June The decision continue present governmental structure Popular Front threw parliament chaos members Democratic Block calling their adversaries traitors worse Know responsible happens result travesty perpetrated order protect presidential apparatus friends Democratic Block member Popular Front leader Arif Hadjiev Mahmedov following sided voting According Azerbaijan constitution quorum seats required given resolution Out parliamentarians voting motion dissolve presidential apparatus voted against while voted Twenty voters either abstained their ballots invalidated Of parliamentarians voting motion suspend presidency during election campaign leading polls June voted against while voted resolution either abstaining having invalid votes The Popular Front requested turned One their number threw parliamentarian disgust Off floor others further saying former communists deliberately pursuing political course would devolve civil alleged Moscow inspired plans stabilize Azerbaijan ItwiiIendinbiood saiddeputyTahirKarimli Wesigned protocol government announced readiness participate coalition nation But government broken promise fools Who knows appen The remarkable appearance sessi Abul Elchibey brain behind Front position everything defense independence former USSR A dissident spent IS months labor 19705 espousing Turkic nationalism Eichibey puiiticiar thana iivigthik tankwhohasdevotedhisadult prying Azerbaijan erstwhile Soviet orbit As persona grata Azeri media years But abrupt around reflecting level disintegration former communist government apparatus creeping Popular Front ditch government attempt opposition Elchlbey invited attend parliament permitted address partocrats voted secure their continued tenure power voting continuatio presidential apparatus scheduling elections June We deceived El hibey elaborate staccato silerlced chamber We agreed enter coalition goverrment critical situation Karabakh But government wants power presidential apparatus which invitation again abuse organs power state We adamant about abolition presidency monopoly power Elchibey continued Share Give judiciary cabinet ministers parliament But after years domination Moscow presidency means control above manipulation wlnoever below Observers suggest Front associated deputies likely refrain participating National Council leaving pending disaster Karabakh responsibility present parliament acting president Above Opposition deputy Towfig Gasimov Maligning Government Below Crocodiles communist elite their swamp seats T A_ 2_g_n iament after former communistshad refused to_p_c_ S B_ ti__oD_ Esteemed ladies gentlemen Thank allowing speak I present thoughts certain conclusions I begin complaining situation requires I Perhaps often I regret having accepted proposal Premier Hasan Hasanov Chairman Parliament Yagub Mahmedov participate coalition government This playing insulting I I respond members Popular Front What It first I fooled I I might fooled twice I forgive anyone means deceive three times Many people Why noise here7 If brave Karabakh This idiocy If Karabakh heart nation brains parliament rannot divide Our tragedy Moscow creating possible obstacles cannot build democratic state Azerbaijan And things improve unless create democratic society Everything wasted effort But elect president elect I Lfditic acousti El dipped I _ause traiiscril speecl picked P F eWSlJaper AzadliK partic ularsi F Elcliibey speci F eitered Lito lasai lalimE would dolne Muta No transc Still I I ZnM _lude version uture setteW Elch around I0 everv ierves frayed His delivery macline uictuated Ji pauses Throughout address mainly looked center toward seats occupied exclusively seats occupied mixture communists members Demc cratic BIc resumably refere F decisic Spring along creatiig executive A C Pa agreeme CP minated added L stscript first F resident would CP General Secretary Ayaz iutal But president elect three months June overthrown And natural Because today state deserving president power force people forced overthrow force What alternative We create structures protect president prevent turning dictator This requires special institutions Power divided legislative executive branches independent judiciary supervising first branches Everybody Court including president workers peasants everyone Everyone right society bring action against anyone president Otherwise anyone least I I create counter balancing structures whoever elect president clergyman destroy himself destroy those nearest because there institutional structure prevent Just before session started Popular Front appealed people rally front Parliament But spite appeal certain people weapons And imagine presidential campaign offices street meetings Who guarantee Grenades hased Agdam today Baku street corners We first corfiscate weapons different groups presidential elections It nation stake We transitional period three months Cbefore elections possible The presidential powers should shared between National Council chairman Parliament Prime Minister Everything place Many sitting involved oppression those struggled color tional They oppressed orders Nobody could utter Mahmed Emin People araid But Why should again democracy facirg obstacles suffering losses There another achieve Mary wanted Commonwealth Independent States We urged tills We CIS would exist months Three months passed In another three CIS collapse The Ukraine Commonwealth future That proves right stand against joining CIS On other Azeri President signed CIS agreement because created confusion In Moscow Azerbaijan playing difficult whether Azerbaijan entered Commonwealth A movement independence should focus We fight fight should fighting The Xojali tragedy Empire GB We possess facts first rallies strikes Khankendi Stepanakert organized US KGB deputy chairman It KGB organized first rallies Yerevan Even Baku anaged organize meetings Suspecting nothing participated We being sides Moscow everything possible including pitting different groups population against other prevent creating truly independent state Then manage agree other organize something arabakh border areas distract attention create chaos If elected president would clapping hands months later would resign Just months former president speaking those present nodded agreement everything You nodded agreement resigned We cannot create state Azerbaijan possesses resources Russia enough children grandchildren You build plants factories I understand three months Russia obliged intelligenue network concentrate ferns If asked Yelt5in months where Karabakh located respoid doesn concerned about Ingush The ought tragedies seeking thrust To prevent should first reform National Security Ministry KGB We believe Defense Minister We believe Interior Ministry should reformed But National Security should reorganized completely Once defend ourselves speak about elections other matters My I minutes Excuse Thank Eyelets rolled Mahedov again praised Abulfez great thinker greatly respected matters electio issic The usual series speakers _ratic Jc addes business drivig Iskeder Hamidc Frot Demc ratic Bloc Yagub Muallem referrinc acting preside title teacl there really Jl discussiCl electior Y Can waste ioney easury matter You yourselr There enoul chauer nmuist obscure skede exact words referrig Mhmedovs alleged pencl graft takig students effect Mslnedov Burnt Scloo In Agdam The Destruction Goes On I L Iy medov sputtering Iaredthathe 1dn01on ueands ormed outothe Pa I iemiCrop Ioc41 Lmal Husse Iui5 demarded siander Cat Z eiiiaiid gallery eiFio tliis Moscow brought iretocomple clnaos until lallmedu gercy oUtGlh hihey brouc chair desperate attempt riational unity G rocodiles cheer lalililed ailythir unusual esumed discussior Jem ageiida It uirieal Then Ki3B firal maiaged rAhainb Popular Front Contest June Elections Azerbaijan Baku The broad based opposition Popular Front Azerbaijan announced contest presidential elections scheduled June provided current election abuse changed international observers insure clean result Speaking crowd around gathered first Front rally Baku months representatives dozen political parties organizations associated umbrella group announced their candidate would Popular Front chairman Abu Elchibey Azerbaijan leading dissident during 1970s 1980s Eichibey hermit intellectual previously shunn running elected office appears acquiesced popular demand contest elections powerful presidency order reduce power office system political checks balances USA It clear loyalists defunct Communist Party field their candidate although observers acting president Yagub Mahmedov natural choice Legal registration candidates Tuesday April But Front decision field Elchi thrown wrinkle observers political whorehouse Baku The Elchibey leadership Front previously announced favored boycotting polls To seemed tantamount admitting opposition organization Azerbaijan incapable organizing anything street demonstrations entering compromise deals former communist elite Followin Mutalibov resignation March series defeats disasters disputed territory Nagorno Karabakh Eichibey entered unprecedented protocol Mahmedov Prime Minister Hasan Hasanov envisaged forming coalition government national unity The conditions Front suspension immediate dissolution powerful presidential apparatus legislative power turned communist dominated parliament National Council consist equal numbers former communists opposition parliamentarians Mahmedov agreed formula described Front deception faith threw issue future status presidency floor whole parIlament Predictably majority person voted continued survival institution served their security umbrella specifically voted maint constitutional clause requires elections presidency within three months vacancy position June They overwhelmingly voted maintain presidential apparatus present despite pleas Front minimum power executive distributed between Prime Minister Judiciary other organs The Front countered threatening participate temporary government boycott elections leave growing disaster Nagorno Karabakh exclusive responsibility communist government But remarkable around which Front leaders rooted sense civil responsibility patriotism Front seems ready contest elections We recognized people Azerbaijan cannot solve their internal problems there reason world should accept Mutalibov Mahmedov other communist legitimate leader country Front leader Kurban Mahmedov The people trained suspect leadership because level corruption country cannot remain opposition forever Nationalist Sign Commemorating Short lived Republic Azerbaijan Prime Minister Resigns Baku Azerbaijan Prime Minister strong Hasan Hasanov former communist functionary someone might bridge between partocrats nationalists Popular Front resigned office Saturday rumors fraud bribery further polarizing Caucasus country inimical camps Sources close former Prime Minister suggest Hasanov decision resign after details customs fraud standal began emerging opposition press might secure appointment Azeri Ambassador either W ashington United Nations before being implicated The scandal which reported million dollars transferred Azerbaijan purchase foreign goods which tenth returned Azerbaijan threatens implicate bureaucrats It comes charges month officials highest level government emergency relief funds targeted Azeri refugees Karabakh purchase Japanese video equipment Marlboro cigarettes Hasanov process creating coalition government national unity already appointed Front supporters ministries Defense Interior It doubtful acting ministers accept reporting directly presidential apparatus again Nc Tle Talir Aliev Miis Interior F Gaziev Minister Defense cabinet deciic Hasanuv takers And presidential pala0 there Ayaz Mu talibov Two witnesses nfired Robert Finn U S embassy waitig Yagub Mahedov protocol other lappy throat Vafa Gc ulizade assured vodka former president lurking aroused former ffice Russia Azerbaijan establish diplomatic Baku The Russian Federation Republic Azerbaijan formally established diplomatic Saturday officially ending years occupation domination St Petersburg Moscow Caucasus nation We regard historic moment Russia recognized sovereignty Azerbaijan Azeri Foreign Minister Hasan Sadikov joint press conference Russian counterpart Andrei Kozyrev But clear after years special Czarist Russia captured territory makes Azerbaijan following brief Iran With exception brief existence Azerbaijan Republic country either Russia under indirect Moscow until September Azerbaijan declared itself independent along other former Soviet RepubI When asked Russia intended embassy Baku Russian Foreign Minister looked confused moment leavi impression Moscow seriously considered establishing physical presence Kozyrev reporters addition lengthy official discussions acting Azeri state Yagub Mahmedov acting Minister Defense Rahim Gaziev about lateral issues current crisis between Azerbaijan neighboring Armenia disputed territory Nagorno Karabakh unofficially representatives large ethnic Russian community Baku They assured shared positions concerns other citizens Azerbaijan Karabakh Kozyrev obliquely addressing growing Russian sentiment Azerbaijan Recently scores Azeris applying refugee status newly opened American embassy Baku apparently subject nationalistic backlash growing crisis situation Nagorno Karabakh Following press conference Kozyrev introduced destitute family Azeri Xojali destroyed February Armenian militiamen allegedly supported 366th battalion former Soviet Interior Ministry Army stationed Stepanakert I Russian minister I house anonymous repeatedly Azeri officials brought Kozyrev Following interview photo opportunity Azeri foreign minister shuttled Russian guests official dinner leaving Xojali family Baku street themselyes The Kozyrev party scleduled travel Nagorno Karabakh Sunday leaders enclave group Iranian diplomats involved peace mission FEATURE mixed Armenian Azeri families huddle Azerbaijan Baku Elchin loves loves family problem He Azeri Turk Armenian afraid become recent increasingly bitter dispute between ethnic nation Specifically Gala abducted Elchin countrymen exchanged Azeri hostages disputed territory Nagorno Karabakh There enough instances sudden disappearances friends relatives justify their fears You every someone knocks stupid Elchin Falstaffian designer artist whose favorite subject normal times The people worried about knock The captive takers Azeri militiamen whose relatives captured Armenian militiamen Faced inability government Baku getting their loved finding their hostages trade local Armenians married Azeris Russians It matter indifference dwindling potential bartering chips happen citizens Azerbaijan desire leave My children going school Gala musician We desire Armenia Can imagine would Elchin Azeri Yerevan It known mixed Azeri Ar menian marriages there Armenia number thought Whatever mixed couples country ethnic Azeris living Armenia uprooted obliged first upsurge inter ethnic violence The Azeri refugees Armenia focused their wrath large Armenian community Baku demanding Armenian housing given exchange their properties Most ethnic Armenians Azeri capital smalle communities violence January under circumstances usually described pogrom But Armenians remained sheltered their Azeri neighbors decided return hopes xenophobia passig moment could somehow return normal It The continued spiral violence Nagorno Karabakh exposed remaining Armenians blast Azeri hyper nationalism small community Armenians still Baku terrified We heard cases giving their Armenian sisters while Azeri husband stood terror nothing elated Elchin We cases where neighbors chased would abductors We police KGB actually preventing abduction One recent cause celebre brought attention correspondent octogenarian Armenian composer national artist status despite multiple chances leave years chose Baku He dragged March presumably front Agdam exchanged rumor elderly father known Azeri judge It known whether composer whose public family survived journey hanged A western observer track could iscovered Armenian hostages varying awaiting exchange number Azeris living Several hostages common criminals released their terms order traded Armenia maintains Baku trading women children As result atmosphere perceived inability indifference government Azerbaijan protect local Armenians other minorities American embassy Baku found itself uncomfortable position becoming center potential refugees before embassy consists anything series hotel rooms The would asylum seekers Armenians members strong local Russian population foreigner atmosphere prevalent Baku started affect their lives It however doubtful ethnic Russians accepted refugees United States proximity Russian Federation despite there economic hardship According American asylum policy economic refugees bottom pecking order A Russians Ieft Baku because there place there Nana Azeri speaking physical therapist works They sleep railway stations Russia But still learn adapt Azerbaijan That America No Russians members other ethnic groups known abducted although there reports several close calls mistake A Turkish diplomat Baku related witnessed descended central market accused account accent being Armenian The released proved himself Jew circumcision If circumcised Russian would robably Armenia diplomat The problem would migrants obtaining travel documents daring travel country order obtain Russia elsewhere Few Baku Armenians leave apply passport identified level xenophobic Azeri chain application either stall application while tipping someone hostage We government Azerbaijan their interest migration because condition favored nation status American official quoting policy government assures I absolutely condemn hostage taking Popular Front chairman Abulfez Elchibey understand motivation behind hostage takers They their families They there Armenians Baku They It inhuman But The Minister Defense Rahim Gaziev himseif member Front announced practices Armenians because efficient There rules subscribes Gaziev And exchange gasoline prisoners hostages bodies Despite threat abduction though Elchin Gala leave Baku certainly unknown future United States Our Elchin familiar various refugee criteria United States concerning legitimate persecution religion ethnic background Gala qualifies everyone What United States asked rhetorically Wash dishes refugee culture The preferred temporary asylum Gala ironically enough Turkey country suffi ciently close culturally physically couple severed Azerbaijan other while conflict between their nations But decision appears painful through couple continues mouse potential abductors while attempting maintain normal They continue attend opera theater foreign friends Azeris Jews Russians Georgians remember Baku multi cultural Soviet famous culture place where dressed cultured people strolled along streets until night Now pedestrian zones empty Elchin leaving Gala different friends every night alone waiting until morning again American Legislators Call For Conditions US CIS Aid Baku Following contac Armenian capital Yerevan Azerbaijan capital Baku weekend Arizona D senator Dennis DeConcini joint Chairman Senate Commission Human Rights Member Appropriations Committee favor tying future Commonwealth Independent States CIS Moscow wiliingness allow former Soviet Repubiics Iike Armenian Azerbaijan their Senator DeConcini along Foreign Relations Committee member James Jeffords R Vermont Senator Daniel Akaka D Hawaii arrived Sunday finding includes Armenia Turkmenistan Kazakistan Ukraine The legislators their mission partially determine degree former republics belonging defunct USSR wanted members CIS address prospective levels ccordingly After these republics Armenia Azerbaijan I intend qualify USSR _ordance Moscow ability these countries DeConcini exclusive interview Both Armenia Azerbaijan locked bloody intensity disputed territory Nagorno Karabakh maintain official Russian involvement fight cause atavistic conflict claimed lives years In addition meeting members Azerbaijan acting president Yagub Mahmedov Monday Helsinki Commission chance members increasingly powerful opposition Popular Front Azerbaijan Sunday The chairman Front Abulfez Elchibey officially announced candidate presidency Azerbaijan April Senator DeConcini USA would expert observers insure fairness elections The primary candidate Elchibey Azerbaijan eminent dissident throughout 1970s 1980s popular candidate office president vacated March former Communist Party functionary Ayaz Mutalibov Elchibey ikely Popular Front initially decided boycott elections following flammery national parliament March reversed itself early April Front announced would I resist relating fOllowing anecdc about CODEL Cc gressional Delegati CODEL drove Front leadquarters usual waiting utside attertively listening Azeri Ira speaking about political subject other The speaker paused senatc walked steps extendirg their baffled members crowd Who Glad DiConici pressi flesh The breakfast senators Deconcini scene Z steps yesterday straight central casting Iwas obliged truth contest June polls sense national responsibility The Front S intention control powerful presidential apparatus order disband limit powers along Executive Congress Judiciary branches government USA Deconcini Jeffords Akaka other opposition government people Monday determine extent icial official Azeri leadership interested supporting international peace ference Nagorno Karabakh thorny issue human rights CIS We welcome intermediary efforts anyone comes along Popular Front deputy chairman Niyazi Ibrahim But there knows about Azeri Armenian conflict better Azeris Armenians You international conferences meaningless sides without Russia CODEL visit One terview Sovyetska Guest Ic Ya essme staying guests state terrptdd retely praise Mutalibov It clear Aerica system yalists desperate preserve their igatives started eager other disinri rnati particularly important business variety Mutal moderate business regular yting A Eurc while Pc pular Fr xeniOphobi Bc lshevik organizati intent nationalizing oreign vestets eorbit Islami furdanertalists Iran There seweral least nationalizati iehts Are S O Up untii Septeber USSR wlere tlere foreig ivest hents i0geda state As Ayaz belng We investment absolutely ivestmeit personal ffers If business We wants itself C spade spade Mu alibov Idas F Frorrt against Yes The Frc unced review every corrtract companies Mutalibc tenure abrogate deals appear dubious vintage It reiarkable business iurny began ortiyar theFr itspositio buyers tryig protect their investmerts Pc rtrait Of Ayaz Mutal I Urilal At Supreme Sc Men Rc Received Hanover July