The myth around Azerbaijan's cotton industry revival

There is one truth about Azerbaijan. If President wants it, whatever it is, it will happen. No matter what it takes. So when President Aliyev junior decided to revive Azerbaijan's cotton industry, aka the white gold, his wish was granted. The way it was granted, however, is rather questionable for it was certainly in violation of labor rights, human rights, forcing people to work in the fields on hours end (including nonfarmers extending the collection to students, pupils, school teachers, and everyone who could be sent off their work for the sake of pleasing the leader and out of fear of losing whatever job these people already had). 

Speaking at the 3rd Cotton Summit, President Ilham Aliyev pointed to a few things:

- that how good cotton has been for the country's economy;

- that it has created employment (tens of thousands according to the president, reaching approximately 200,000people);

- that it has generated revenues;

- that it helps to develop the non-oil economy; 

- that it has grown from 35tons to 207 in just two years (thanks to all the hard work of teachers, students, doctors, and farmers, working shifts to meet the quotas set by the higher ups- but of course the President did not say this part);

But guess what, there are plenty of independent economists who disagree with the president. According to Nemat Aliyev, one of the biggest reasons why Azerbaijani farmers stopped growing and cultivating cotton was because how difficult this was and how little it paid. The government offers 55-60cents for a kilogram of cotton. However either the government does want to understand or simply does not want to help, these amounts do not meet all the work and effort that goes into this work. These economists say, according to calculations, the kilogram must cost at least 90cents. And only then can the government create interest in a farmer. 

Vahid Maharramli, who is an agriculture expert, the cotton collected in the country is also of poor quality. Its main buyer is Russia. Russia buys it from Azerbaijan for 1.30$/kg (while the costs on an international market is 1.50$/kg). There is also devaluation that hit the country and its residents, which dropped the value for money farmers were fetting before. Before the devaluation says Maharramli, a farmer could sell collected cotton at 60cents. Now, he/she sells it at 30cents. The government claim that they are going to raise the fees by 5 cents won't make a difference for an average farmer argues Maharramli. 

As always, nothing is done accordingly- rather than focusing on building the infrastructure in regions, and assisting farmers with subsidies, equipment, and simply allocating funds to improve their conditions, the government decided to simply act upon it. Without a plan, without needs assessment, without addressing the questions of infrastructure. But that's how everything is often done in the land of absurdistan, the land of myths, wishes, and commands.

Stay tuned for more updates.  

What you need to know about proposal for yet another referendum in Azerbaijan?

This would be a third time our country will have a constitutional referendum.

The first one was introduced by Heydar Aliyev. A year before his death, on August 24, 2002 Aliyev introduced a number of critical constitutional amendments giving the Prime Minister the power to act as an interim President- the power which previously rested with the speaker of the parliament- until the new round of elections. It was not the only critical amendment. “The most important changes over which the referendum is believed to have been organized were the cancellation of the proportional electoral system, which implied that deputies are to be selected only on the basis of single-member constituencies; the number of votes required for the election of President was reduced to simple majority where before two thirds of votes were required; and transfer authority to ban political parties from the Constitutional Court to public courts”. 

The day of the referendum was marred by violations, fraud, and yet, passed with 97percent vote.

In 2009, Ilham Aliyev, the son of Heydar Aliyev had his own referendum on March 18, which allowed him to cross off the presidential term limit among other critical amendments. Needless to say fraud and violations were abound. You know what they say, "like father like son". 

And just when we thought it cannot get any worse, Ilham Aliyev (who has been in power since 2003) decides to introduce a whole new series of amendments in another referendum. 

So what does he propose this time? In total there are 29 proposed amendments: 

- broadly speaking to reorganize the legislative as well as executive branches; 

- Aliyev suggests to extend his presidential term by another 2 years, making it 7 years in total; and have the right to announce elections at any time;

- Prime Minister would be replaced by first vice president and vice presidents; 

- Vice presidents will have immunity throughout their service. Unless vice presidents are caught "in action" committing a crime, he/she (most likely he) will be totally untouchable;

- President would have the right to introduce "extraordinary election" for president;

- Minimum of 35 age limit for presidential candidacy will be removed;

- The age limit for parliament member candidates would be reduced to 18;

- In case of human rights and freedoms violations, civil servants will only carry civic responsibility;

- Citizenship: according to current constitution, Azerbaijani citizen can not under any circumstance be deprived of his/her right to Azerbaijani citizenship. The new amendment suggests to remove "cannot under any circumstance"; 

- Land ownership can be restricted by law

What do these mean? Well it depends on who you ask. 

Alovsat Aliyev says that for instance removing "cannot under any circumstance" clause to the article on citizenship will increase cases of forced revoking. "This has to do with the government's interests in revoking citizenship from any citizen it wants", says the expert. 

On the amendment on land ownership, lawyer Yalchin Imanov says, "so basically now, property or land will be taken. Because up until now, constitution ensured immunity of property and the government was obliged to fulfill this immunity".

But not everyone is worried. Siyavush Novruzov, a parliament member thinks, "as the country develops, its security mechanisms improve, and reforms are carried out within state structures, it is important to make necessary amendments to constitution". As for the 7 year term limit, Novruzov had something even more outlandish to say. "Azerbaijan holds elections for three consecutive years [referring to presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections]. It takes one year to prepare for each election. That's why increasing presidential term from 5 to 7 is praiseworthy". 

Something tells me this referendum will go through just like all other referendums. And president will have all that he needs to ensure his son enters politics soon enough and it all will be fine in the land of Aliyevistan.