AZERBAIJAN: Political infighting and paralysis

The government continues its campaign of stopping all forms of protest, no matter what the reason. Two large protests have occurred over the past few months, both quickly dispersed by police. The first protest was against Iran, which has been bolstering the Shiite Muslim sect throughout the world. The second protest was held against Israel for its invasion of Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the main opposition political party Musavat has been paralyzed by infighting. Following the October 2003 presidential elections several opposition leaders, including Musavat deputy chairmen Rauf Arifoglu and Arif Gacili, had been arrested and received five-year prison terms. They were all pardoned in the spring of 2005. Since their release, they have been at odds with other party leaders who were not arrested. Arifoglu has accused another deputy chairman, Sulhaddin Akper, of collaborating with the government officials. But he has never produced any substantiation for the charges.

In May, Isa Qambar was reelected Musavat Party Chairman unopposed for a third term, even though party rules prohibit a third term for that position. Gacili announced that he would run for chairman of the party governing council against Akper and former First Deputy Chairman Vurgun Eyyub. Gacili removed himself from the race after Arifoglu convinced him that his candidacy would only split the party. But later Arifoglu said he would quit the party if either Akper or Eyyub were elected. He claimed that Akper was a government plant who was a former member of the secret police, and that Eyyub was incompetent. His threat was successful, because neither candidate received the necessary 60 percent vote to be elected to the office.

Akper, who did receive 58 percent of the vote, vowed to run again for the office, claiming that he had been smeared by Russian intelligence and had no connection with the ruling regime. Eyyub, who received 40 percent of the vote, also dismissed the arguments against Akper and promised not to run again and throw his support behind Akper.