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ANAYURDUM

525ci QEZET
Azeris from more than 100 countries of the world will attend the fifth conference of World Azerbaijani Congress (WAC).The preparatory works are being carried out in different societies, which unite Azeris living in various countries of the world. Cavad bey Derakhti, Chairman of the Azeri Society in Sweden, WAC Board member and chairman of the preparatory committee for the V Conference has agreed to give an exclusive interview with 525. Dr. Derakhti's enormous contribution to unite World Azeris are known to Azeri Diaspora. "525" is planning more interviews with other leaders of WAC in near future.
- Cavad bey, how do you evaluate the preparatory works for the V conference? Have you informed Azeri societies in different countries about the conference and will they send their representatives to the conference?
- We are about to conclude the preparatory work for the conference. Talking from experience of previous years Azeri Diaspora are well aware of WAC's congress in Malmo . Besides, we have sent relevant brochures and invitation letters to all Azeri societies, united within WAC, as well as certain individuals. We do maintain close relations with all  Azeri community centres around the world.  Almost any organization we have invited has expressed its eagerness to participate in the conference and will despatch representatives to the forum. Our representative in Azerbaijan Teymur Eminbeyli,  is also seriously involved in preparations for the conference . He has received a reply letter from B.Vahabzadeh, the famous Azeri poet, whom has been invited to  the conference. Vahabzadeh has congratulated all tparticipants of the forum and has apologized for not being able to attend the conference due to poor health. We hope, the 5th conference will be more fruitful compared to provisions ones. We have reserved rooms in  4 big hotels in Sweden on behalf of our guests. Besides, representatives of the Swedish parliament, international organizations - International Red Cross Committee,Amnesty International , as well as leading mass media of Sweden were invited to the conference. Conference wants to draw attention of the Red Cross  to refugee problem in Azerbaijan and Amnesty International  will be asked to get involved with the fate of our compatriots in Southern azerbaijan (Northwestern Iran) whose rights are violated .
Congress is planning to hold  a gala-concert on the first day of the conference with the objective of providing the participants of the forum to get know each other.
- Which issues will be discussed at the 5th conference.
- The agenda of the conference will be too rich. We will mainly focus on discussing the following items:
1.  What steps should WAC take in order to facilitate Formation of Azerbaijani Lobby?
2. How should  WAC advise the world community about the problems of Azerbaijan? WAC's policy towards South and North Azerbaijan: liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and occupied lands of Azerbaijan national awakening and progress, development of democracy in

Azerbaijan.
4. WAC's policy towards the Turkic world: liason with  Turkic world (Turkey and all Turkic speaking nations), Turkish Diaspora and lobby.
5. WAC's policy towards other nations.
6. What can WAC do for systematic activity and emigration of world Azeris?
7. How should we resolve the budget problems ? etc.
- How do you regard the 1st conference of World Azeris to be held in Baku at the President Heidar Aliyev's Decree?
- I believe, the President is misinformed about WAC and its activities. We use all our efforts to strengthen Republic of Azerbaijan, development of its economy and improvement of social status of the population. At the same time, WAC represents the nation,  not the state. With regard to Baku conference I must say it is  a step in the right direction. However, I appeal to the Azeri officials to participate in the conference and allow us to continue the good work in the 6th conference in Baku. That will most certainly gladden our nation and disappoint the enemies.
- Recently you have had a telephone conversation with Azeri state adviser Hidayet Orucov and assumably he has advised you not to hold the V conference and participate in the 1st Baku Forum instead. What decision did WAC Board of executives make ? 
- I know Hidayat bey from the World Turkic conferences as a logical person, but his advice does not coincide with democratic principles. This proposal was discussed, however, rejected by the Board.
- So, what is your decision on joining to Baku conference?
- We appealed to the Azeri officials with a proposal to attend WAC conference in Sweden. I hope they accept our invitation and pave the way for our participatation at the Baku conference.
- Which countries will be represented at the conference?
- Almost all countries of the globe where Azeris live , i.e. North and South Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Eastern Turkistan, United Arab Emirates, USA, Canada, European countries, Russian Federation, Baltic republics, Austria, Mexico, to speak generally, over 100 countries. A delegation 100 people from Azerbaijan. President of the Turkish Republic, Northern Cyprus Rauf Denktash is also expected to attend the conference.
- In parallel to the V conference Malmo will host the festival of the world nations. Do you intend to participate in the forum?
- The date of the conference was not chosen accidentally. We are planning to use this opportunity to full extent,  illuminating the world communities mind with the  truth about Azerbaijan . In accordance with the Committee in Malmo festival we have organised cultural and musical events on August 11 and 12 public. We invited several famous artists from South and North Azerbaijan.