10.09.2005
AZERBAIJANI ELECTIONS:
Might-Have-Been Soviet Diplomat Turned into a Caspian Oil Owner
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Asim Oku, AIA Turkish and Caucasian section
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The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Heydar Ogly Aliyev
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| Late President Heydar Aliyev (the father of the present President Ilham Aliyev) in the days of his KGB career |
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Born on December 24, 1961 in Baku, Ilham is the son of Heydar Aliyev - the former head of the KGB in Azerbaijan, a member of the Soviet Political Bureau, and since 1993, President of the Azerbaijanian republic.
Upon graduating school Ilham entered the history department of the Moscow State Institute for International Relations (MGIMO). After finishing his studies he received a PhD. in history and international relations, and started teaching in MGIMO. He expected to receive an appointment to an important diplomatic post abroad, but the collapse of the USSR interfered with his plans.
From 1991 until 1994 Ilham was conducting business in Moscow and Istanbul. He became known as a lover of a luxurious living, gambling and women. In the mass media there were rumors that Ilham Aliyev ran into debt to a Turkish magnate, the owner of a casino network, owing him an astronomical sum of money. The image of Ilham Aliyev, as "playboy" was hampering Heydar Aliyev's preparation of his son to be his successor. As a consequence, before the ascension of Ilham to the political Olympus of Azerbaijan, his father already declared the closing of casinos in Azerbaijan.
In May 1994 Ilham Aliyev, under the auspices of his father, received the post of first Vice-president of the State Oil Company Azerbaijan Republic. Since 1995 (and until the present day) he is the deputy of the parliament of Azerbaijan. In 1997 he also held the post of president of the National Olympic Committee.
In December 1999 Ilham became a deputy, and in 2001 - first vice-president of the party in power, Yeni Azerbaycan (New Azerbaijan Party). In August 2003, several months prior to the presidential elections, the ruling President, Heydar Aliyev, appointed him Prime Minister. The parliament unanimously approved this decision.
It was supposed, that in the elections on October 15, 2003, Heydar Aliyev would be re-elected.
However, due to his death Ilham took his place as the leading candidate. He received a majority of the votes (77,97 %) and became President of the Azerbaijan republic. The opposition accused Ilham Aliyev of falsifications and he answered with launching a campaign of reprisals against his political opponents. The International Election Observation Mission of OSCE came to the conclusion that in the course of the pre-election campaign rough infringements and manipulations took place. The international human rights organizations accused the new President of Azerbaijan.
In March 2005, under pressure of the international organizations and primarily of the Council
of Europe, Ilham Aliyev pardoned several activists of the opposition. Since March 26, 2005 Ilham Aliyev has become Chairman of the Yeni Azerbaycan. The Nakhichevan clan supports the party in power. (Nakhichevan is the southeast area of the country, between Armenia and Iran).
In his statements Ilham Aliyev constantly emphasizes that he conducts policy in the country following in the steps of his father. Heydar Aliyev, who anchored the autocratic regime in Azerbaijan until his death, enjoyed the support and sympathies of the population, for he brought stability to the republic. However, his son lacks the qualities of leadership and his father's charisma. To his positive qualities may be added pragmatism, fluent English and a skill to make a "good impression". STRATFOR, closely connected to CIA, gives the following analysis of the character of the Azerbaijani leader: "Ilham Aliyev lacks his father's charisma, political skills, contacts, experience, stature, intelligence and authority. Aside from that he will make a wonderful president". Most likely, Ilham Aliyev is depending upon his influential representatives from the clan and is considered by them, as a "transitional president".
Since January 2003, Ilham has served as the vice-president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He is married and has two daughters and a son.
Besides Azerbaijan, he speaks Russian, English, and French.
Related items:
Ilham Aliyev - one of the most highly paid presidents in the world increased his salary with a fancy trick (02.10.05)
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