Azerbaijan President Says Revolution Impossible

President Ilham Aliyev (file photo) (epa) 13 November 2005 -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, speaking after disputed election results, has said revolution is impossible in his country.

Aliyev's remarks to Turkish media were released on 12 November by the state news agency Azertaj.

He said there is no chance the opposition could be thrust to power on a wave of mass popular protests, such as occurred in Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan.

The president's party won more seats than any other, according to official results from parliamentary elections last weekend. International observers say the polls fell short of democratic standards.

The opposition, seeking to emulate the protests that forced change in other former Soviet republics, has demanded the annulment of the results and new elections. It is also mounting a series of rallies.

(AP/ITAR-TASS)