Today.Az - Views of Azerbaijani political scientists and politicians on Barack Obama’s election as US President

Today.Az » Politics » Views of Azerbaijani political scientists and politicians on Barack Obama’s election as US President

06 November 2008 [14:15] - Today.Az

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has won the US elections. As every change of government in the US has an impact on the world policy, this change will also have an influence. APA has learned the views of political scientists and politicians on possible changes in the US’ world policy and the country’s attitude towards Azerbaijan.

Political scientist Vafa Guluzadeh:

These elections proved to the whole world that America is a democratic country and there is no racism there, African Americans may also be elected president. First of all. Barack Obama will correct George Bush’s mistakes, second, Obama will have the power to ensure America’s national interests in the whole African continent. He will be closer to Latin America, Muslims, Arabic world than white McCain. I think that Barack Obama’s winning is a great and positive event. America’s interest in Azerbaijan will grow during Obama’s presidency. Obama was in Azerbaijan, I met with him in 1998. In my opinion, special attention will be paid to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a strategically important country. Azerbaijani people’s intellectual potential makes it available to develop the democracy in the country. The United States will increase assistance and support to Azerbaijan.

Political scientist Gabil Huseynli:

There will be no serious change in Azerbaijan-US relations, because the two countries have a practice of the relations, this practice can be improved. Maybe, much attention in Azerbaijan-US relations will be paid to the issues related to democratic values and human rights, not to economic situation. Unlike the Republicans, the Democrats are expected to prefer these values in their policy. First of all Barack Obama will pay attention to the internal problems, elimination of unemployment, improvement of welfare, taxes-related issues, solution of problems of people of African origin. He will probably be engaged in the world problems in the third year of his presidential term.

Political scientist Ilgar Mammadov:

Attitude towards Azerbaijan will depend on the change of the United States’ policy in global context and energy policy of the new president. If this energy policy will aim to reduce the oil price in the world, Russia’s role in the world and regional issues will decrease, so the United States will be able to closely cooperate with Azerbaijan. If as a result of this policy oil prices remain high and Russia continues its claims, competition for Azerbaijan will strengthen.

However, it seems that in any case the new president will choose the policy led to the cheaper oil, which is related to the oil production plans in the United States.

Political scientist Rasim Musabeyov:

I don’t think that there will be serious changes in US policy toward Azerbaijan. We should expect for the next Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary for Azerbaijan, as well as the next Minsk Group co-chair and further instructions. In any case I think the new president will address the US financial and economic crisis and other serious problems. He made promises on Iraq, Iran is also on agenda and he has to normalize relations with Europe. The policy toward Turkey can also be brought on agenda. US attitude to Azerbaijan will be connected with its attitude to Iran. We can express concrete opinion after specifying all these issues. The United States can not make any step in the Middle East not considering the Turkey’s interests. This reality will take important place in US policy because of Azerbaijan’s position in the South Caucasus as a largest and most developed country in the region.

Member of New Azerbaijan Party’s Political Council and member of the Parliament Aydin Mirzazadeh:

Republicans and Democrats have different views on a number of national interests of America. Obama is young and active, has an experience of political offices and there can be some innovations. Many things will depend on the Obama’s team. We can speak about the changes only after concretizing of his foreign and domestic policy priorities. Obama begins his work in very difficult period. First international financial crisis hit America. Second, what decision will make Obama on Iraq? He criticized Bush for Iraq and promised to withdraw troops. Will he do that? There are many questions like this. Relations with Russia and Europe also expect for their solutions. There will not be any serious changes related to Azerbaijan. Obama was in Baku and met with the President. He has enough ideas about Azerbaijan. I don’t expect for cardinal changes.

Leader of Musavat Party Isa Gambar:

These elections confirmed US leadership in the field of democracy. Representative of the minority in the United States won majority of votes and became the president. Naturally some changes promised by Obama are inevitable. Relation of these changes to Azerbaijan policy depends on a number of factors. It should be noted that Obama has no close relation with the US oil and energy sectors. We have to take his attitude to the region into consideration as well. Naturally these factors will cause the innovations in US Caucasian policy. Azerbaijan’s government has to make efforts for positive direction of these innovations and to introduce the Azerbaijan’s fundamental interests and regional problems to the new US leadership at necessary level.

The US shows a big democratic example to the world. Both the US and whole world have observed election campaign for 21 months and nations of the countries, which have problems on democracy, observe relations and competition between the rivals. Of course, there will not be big changes in foreign policy. The US will take positions from their own interests. First of all, I expect close relations between the US and Europe. The West will take a full role in world policy and it will make it stronger. The US demonstrated that democracy and freedom is a universal value and all nations should select this way.

Sardar Jalaloglu, Head of Azerbaijan Democratic Party:

Election of Obama as the President of the US showed that the US citizens could send racial discrimination to the archives of history. There will not be any changes in foreign policy of the US. First, there is a serious power sharing in the US and other state bodies are powerful as presidential institutions. There is a good condition, because US Congress is ruled by Democrats and the President is also Democrat. The policy persuaded by Obama may be more supported by the Congress. Moreover, election platforms of McCain and Obama are similar. Obama is simply young and energetic. Substitution of democrats with republicans occurs every 4-8 years.

Fazil Gazanfaroglu, Head of Great Establishment Party:

It is early to speak about changes of USA foreign policy directed to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a small country for the United States. It is not right to expect such kind of changes soon. Serious changes are predicted in world policy. Oil bourgeoisie was substituted with information technology bourgeoisie in the world at present and ideas, outlook of the government differ from previous ones. The aforementioned factors will cover Obama's policy.

/APA/