Azerbaijan is in no danger of revolutions like the ones that have swept through its fellow former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Georgia in recent years, Azeri president Ilham Aliyev said Saturday. | That's only 'cos Crayola is still working up the color scheme, bub. |
"I don't expect the danger of a velvet revolution in Azerbaijan. Revolutions happen in places were there is a deep chasm between the people and those in power, little trust and no support," Aliyev told a hastily called press conference. | "The people love me. Trust me on this." |
His comments came after a month that saw a prison revolt, the murder of a respected opposition journalist that stirred anti-government groups, the publication of a scathing US State Department human rights report and a high profile kidnapping. | And a month of teevee pix of pretty girls in the streets waving flags and purple fingers... |
Aliyev appears to have called the press conference in the wake of the break-up of a kidnapping ring in which the security ministry on Friday implicated top police officials. The president downplayed widespread social discontent in Azerbaijan, saying that opinion polls conducted by the opposition as well as independent and foreign organizations have shown "that the president's rating is at the highest point." | "Never been better. Say, is it just me, or is it a little warm in here?" |
On Friday the Musavat opposition party called for the government to step down after officials announced high-ranking police officers were arrested in the kidnapping bust, while at least one independent parliamentarian called for the sacking of the interior minister. Aliyev said he would not allow the case to be used in a political campaign against the interior minister but added that he had ordered a "serious" internal investigation. "Revolutions do not happen in these conditions," Aliyev said in reference to his own remarks on how the post-Soviet nation has shown good signs of development. | "Why are you all looking at me like that?" |
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