Statue saga continues: Mexico says no, Azerbaijan says $$$

In this day and age, its not the skills of a politician, or his/her ability to make sound decisions and guide country's foreign policies that matter. No, in the 21st century, its bronze statues and park renovations that matter the most. Or at least it matters for Azerbaijan and its leadership.

I am sure you all remember the scandal (an embarrassing diplomacy if you ask me) over a statue at a park in Mexico. Back then, there were a lot of nervous breakdowns, feet stomping and cranky messages. The threats went as far as to pulling out the diplomatic mission in the country (this would have been a first. Countries pull out their missions when there is a terrorist threat, or another serious political condition, but shutting down an embassy because a statue of a former leader was removed from a park?!)

But now that the "time-out" period passed there have been new developments. Azerbaijan's ambassador to Mexico Ilgar Mukhtarov informed its audience during a lecture that the January decision to clear the statue (mind you, the map behind the statue remained as well as the name of that section of the park) cost Mexican government around $3.8billion worth in investments.

At least the threats got "bumped up in values" but given that Mexico is approximately one hundred million times bigger than Azerbaijan (its population is estimated to be 118,395,054 in 2013) Azerbaijan's "investment" might not even budge the country that much. 

Long story short, its interesting to see that the story resurfaced and that its clear that Azerbaijani government simply cannot accept that some governments wont pick up its bait no matter how big $$$ it is. 

Azerbaijan and Freedom two distant concepts?!

Source: http://indexoncensorship.org/azerbaijan-interent-censorship-free-speech/

Azerbaijan wont host Olympic Games in 2020

Its a one thing to hear Azerbaijani top official aid talk about stellar democracy, human rights and freedom of expression record in this country and the country being an example to other European countries but its another thing when bought Europeans, like Burson- Marsteller (Brussels) tout for Azerbaijan "as a good place for the 2020 [Olympic] games" oh and its gets even better, because here are the reasons why: "because of its Olympic values of respect, excellence and fair play!"Man they are good with words!

It is no surprise that Azerbaijani government invests heavily in lobby firms in the US and Europe and this is just one of the examples of these fruitful investments. What Burson- Marsteller perhaps could not see coming (or maybe simply blown away by the generous sums of cash and maybe even caviar served on a golden platter with a souvenir box containing Azerbaijani air, the judgement ability was blurred) was  the International Olympic Committee might actually say no (oops! there goes the precious Azerbaijani people's money to nothing but who cares anyway when we have true democracy and a prospering nation).

Oh but its ok, because there will be plenty of other opportunities. If its not Olympics then there will be something else. After all, its not so hard to find something where money can be "strategically" outsourced...

'Azerbaijan on the eve of Eurovision'- talking about the country with Gerald Knaus

Here is another interview at "Inside and Outside" with Gerald Knaus the founder and director of European Stability Initiative- Berlin- based think tank- talking about the situation in Azerbaijan, the country's extensive lobbying activities, human rights, freedom of expression and more... 

Here is the full interview.

And here is the report, ESI launched in 2011 "Generation Facebook in Baku. Adnan, Emin, and the Future of Dissent in Azerbaijan".

There is work currently underway to release a new report on Azerbaijan's lobbying activities within Europe.

Discussing Azerbaijan at Inside and Outside Radio program

Discussing Azerbaijan's domestic political situation, Turkey- Azerbaijan relations, and my own work as a blogger at a radio program "Inside and Outside" in Istanbul earlier this year. You can listen to other interviews that have taken place at the radio here at the show's host- Ekrem Guzeldere's page.

Here is a link where you can hear the full interview.

'Promoting Azerbaijan's polished face'

This is an article I wrote in March on lobbying activities carried out by the Azerbaijani authorities abroad. Thought I share it here too. The original article can be viewed here.

Promoting Azerbaijan s Polished Face