Tahir Karimli: "Unlike some oppositionists, I do not play a game"

"The Vahdat Party has always pursued an open policy. The party's decision to dialogue with the authorities is not new. I have made public this many times," Tahir Karimli, leader of the Vahdat Party (Unity Party) told the APA in his exclusive interview.

Stating that on February 14 this year, the party's Political Council decided to dialogue with the authorities, Karimli wondered why the pro-opposition parties noticed this six months later.

"In fact, their concerns are more serious. The matter is the opposition i.e., the Musavat Party, Popular Front Party and their several allies fear that the Vahdat Party's political course will spread to other parties. They want to prevent this from becoming a precedent. They fear this might cause a strong despair in the social base of the opposition and lead to the collapse of the weak opposition," he said.

The party leader noted that the members of ANIP, PFPA and Musavat parties were represented in the parliament at different periods.

"I do not want to expect others to take the next step. I think it would be more frankly to dialogue with the authorities rather than cooperation with foreign forces. The party supports me in this step. On the other hand, how long will the Azerbaijani society tolerate false opposition?. This unsuccessful policy will lead to the collapse of many individuals. I want to remind those accusing me that I supported Abulfaz Elchibay and Isa Gambar in hard times. Unlike some oppositionist, I do not play a game. I hate ugly political maneuvers. I have determined to support President Ilham Aliyev’s positive strategy. We must admit we could not change the current power through revolution or elections. We harm our people by bitter quarrel. We must admit that Ilham Aliyev has many positive sides," Karimli underlined.

Commenting on the articles in the press, Karimli said he was the only authoritative state official among the supporters of the people's movement in the 90s.

"I declared death sentence for the former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachov. By this step I put my family and relatives in danger. Tahir Karimli is among rare officials, who avoided dirtiness of the corrupt system. I wonder why the opposition, which once lead a rally of 50 thousand people cannot not stage 50-people rally now. I want to address those calling themselves as key opposition that what di they gain by making us to come to conflict with the then President Heydar Aliyev. The conflict still goes on. I want to reconcile the parties," he said.

The party leader called Azerbaijani opposition a decorative one adding it sacrifices Azerbaijani and its people's interests at strategic moments.

"Our party members see there is no prospect in becoming opposition and realizes that the dialogue with the authorities is urgent," he said.

Karimli said he has met with several state officials regarding the cooperation.

"Unlike, some opposition parties, Vahdat party will support the authorities preserving its character. We have applied to President Ilham Aliyev for meeting with him. The party will prove the society that it is taking a right step and try to reach a consensus between the sides," the party leader concluded.