Isa Gambar: "We will start mass protests if by-elections are like November 6"

"It is too early for me to publicize opinion of the party congress. I will take a stance on some issues before the congress and on some issues at the congress."

"We will appeal to Baku Mayor's Office to hold the congress in Heydar Aliyev Palace. If the incumbent party holds its congress in this palace, why doesn’t the leading opposition party demand the equal opportunity? As to the private halls, chiefs of all halls are afraid of the pressure of the authority."

Mr. Gambar said that agenda of the congress will be decided on April 29. He thinks there is no need for principal changes in the political trend of the party.

"Our principal stands will remain unchanged. Some changes may be made to the party regulations to improve the management and democracy inside the party."

Mr. Gambar doesn't want to resign from the party chairmanship post and intends to be elected party chair once again. He also touched on cooperation potential with Azadliq bloc.

"Every one should pay attention to its own political trend. The time will show which political course is better. The time will also show whether there is need for cooperation with Azadliq bloc or not."

He thinks that PACE will consider Azerbaijani delegation’s credentials after the re-run elections.

"The authority shouldn’t interfere with normal election process in 10 constituencies. We will start mass protests if the re-run elections are going to be like November 6."

He said that they haven't decided to support Classic Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan chair Mirmahmud Miralioglu, but the issue is on agenda.

"We have decided to support Mr.Miralioglu’s adviser Fikrat Jafarov in constituency #69. But the party has not made any decision to support Mirmahmud Miralioglu. This decision is doubtful as there is a candidate of Musavat running for elections in this constituency. We are ally with Miralioglu and will continue our cooperation."

Mr. Gambar thinks that it is possible to make changes to the party plan for 2006.
"We consider 2008 presidential elections as a part of democratization of Azerbaijan and solution to some problems. My standing for the elections depends on the time."

He said that they put forward some proposals on the government-opposition dialogue but the authority didn't give positive reaction.

"It is the authority's turn to present its proposal. Ilham Aliyev has been invited to Washington in this situation. They will discuss some problems as well as Iran problem. In this stage, dialogue between the authority and the real opposition can help strengthen the position of the government ion Washington. I can give an example to show the importance of the dialogue. If anybody thinks that the opposition needs the dialogue, he makes a mistake. Permanent dialogue continues between the opposition and the authority in every country. These dialogues don’t mean sharing any posts. Only national issues are discussed in these dialogues. The opposition did everything to the dialogue but sees that the authority doesn’t want to conduct the dialogue."

Mr.Gambar thinks that invitation of Ilham Aliyev to the US is connected to Iran problem.

"Ilham Aliyev wasn’t invited to the US in 2003 because of the elections. No reforms, improvements were realized in Azerbaijan since then and this factor makes the invitation impossible. The invitation is connected to the Iran problem because Iran's nuclear program poses threat to West and the world. This problem will be on focus during the visit. Of course, other issues will also be considered. I think, Azerbaijan authority should think over all factors in this complex situation and should make a proper decision from national viewpoint. The authority should take advantage of the cooperation with the US. Liberation of our occupied territories should be on major focus in the discussion."