Azerbaijan Changes Flag

[Agostinho Neto]

Azerbaijan's Military Junta has banned the national flag after criticism that it looked too much like the Post-Tzarist Azerbaijani Democratic Republic's flag. The Junta also decided to reinstate the flags of the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic, along with the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Nakichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic's flags, sign that the trade embargo enacted by the United Kingdom is forcing the Government to change its system and redefine the production of national resources "We will put hand to our cash reserves to build new industries and help our economy to produce its own needs" a Military Junta spokesperson said.

The Junta also said it was important to abolish the Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic "We cannot raise the flag of a country that committed many crimes against the Azerbaijani people, henceforth the Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic is abolished" he said. But it stressed that it would only be "A temporary solution, untill the Talysh issue will be completely solved". After the announcement, hundreds of Azerbaijanis e-mailed DailyNews.Az to comment on it. Some said it was a welcomed change, a return to the pre-byzantine history of the Republic, but many criticized the decision. No incidents were reported.

Many Azeris expressed regret that not enough of Azerbaijan's ethnic and religious groups - such as Armenians and Talysh - were represented in the new designs. Others, however, felt that it was important to stress Azerbaijan's unity, not diversity. The biggest complaint was that it had been chosen by Azerbaijan's Military Junta without consulting the people. Other Azeris questioned the Governing Military Junta, expressing disbelief that it had spent time and resources to change the Azerbaijan's flag while the International Community strenghtened pressured on the small Republic. On this matter, General Turgut announced new "democratic" measures to cool down the tension with the United Kingdom, such the revoke of home arrest for President Aliyev and Prime Minister Ali Kerimli, but due to the temporary instability of the National Assembly, he denied any possible return to power. Tought being aware of the disappointment, General Turgat wished to discuss the matter with UK representatives.

National Symbols of the Azerbaijani SSR

National Symbols of the Armenian SSR

Flag of the Nakichevan ASSR (Nakichevan has de facto no Coat of Arms)

[Centurius]

Bosporan feels insulted by this use of symbols of the worker from a Government clearly not supporting the worker. Seeing this and several other recent acts we will commence a full blockade of all goods coming from Azerbaijan until the people have had the chance to chose.

[comrade nikonov]

The Republic of IndoChina will not tolerate a 'communist' regime that fails to live up to its name.

[Ranather]

"More communists, greeeeat."

[DeSchaine]

Taeunas does not recognize this so called junta as a legitimate government and demands the reinstatement of the democraticly elected officials. We also condem the use of force and squashing of rights to assemble peacefully.

[Cataduanes]

Considering the conduct of the former Azeri regime in Talyshstan the Philippines will reserve judgement on this new regime until a later time.

[JEDCJT]

Bosporan feels insulted by this use of symbols of the worker from a Government clearly not supporting the worker. Seeing this and several other recent acts we will commence a full blockade of all goods coming from Azerbaijan until the people have had the chance to chose.

Taeunas does not recognize this so called junta as a legitimate government and demands the reinstatement of the democraticly elected officials. We also condem the use of force and squashing of rights to assemble peacefully.

The UK Government can do nothing but second all these statements. However, we are glad to hear that the sanctions are beginning to work.