Appeal

by the NGO Coalition to Improve Transparency in Extractive Industries to members of the election blocs

Dear Sirs!

A Coalition of more than 40 Azerbaijani NGOs, To Improve Transparency in Extractive Industries, has recently appealed to those standing in the forthcoming parliamentary election (text of the appeal is enclosed) suggesting that the candidates pay special attention in their election campaigning to the issue of importance of transparent and effective use of oil revenues.

We are aware that the “___” election bloc which you represent comprises a number of progressive people, specialists and intellectuals. We have no doubt that quite a few of them will become members of the new parliament. Considering the importance of the mentioned issue, we suggest conducting a roundtable with the candidates representing the election bloc at your convenience.

During the roundtable, the Coalition experts will be ready to inform the candidates of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, of Azerbaijan’s oil revenues and of the opportunities and implications generated by them, and answer any questions.

We hope that the information provided at the roundtable will encourage the candidates to pay more attention to the issue of transparency of oil revenues in their campaigning. We also hope that potential MPs will find this information useful in dealing with such problems in the capacity of members of parliament more effectively.

In conclusion, we would like to say that the Coalition has no intention of advertising itself in this way and will not reveal any information to that effect to the press without the consent of participants.

Sincerely,

Council of the Coalition To Improve Transparency in Extractive Industries

Baku, August 19, 2005

Coalition’s telephone: 497-89-67.

Last correction date of the file: 24/7/2008 - 15:0:11