Azernews.Az

Yashar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the United States, has responded to last week’s article by Ali Karimli, chairman of the opposition Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), published in The Washington Post.
Aliyev wrote in a letter to the publication that contrary to Karimli’s allegations, the international community welcomed the 2005 parliamentary elections due to numerous improvements. These included two presidential decrees calling on election officials to observe electoral legislation, lifting the ban on public protests, the government’s supporting the conduct of exit polls, finger-inking of voters, and the invalidation of election tallies in ten district election commissions where irregularities were presumed.
"Democracy is not only a component of Azerbaijan-US relations but also one of the most substantial pillars of the Azerbaijani statehood," the ambassador said.
Karimli’s story claimed that democracy is not being paid due attention, elections are systematically rigged and the opposition faces pressure in the country. The PFPA chairman also wrote that the Azerbaijani opposition is seeking "not interference or financial aid from the United States, but moral support".*