CİVƏ

The most interesting event of early July, may be, is Secretary Hillary Clinton’s visit to Azerbaijan on July 4th. I observed that, activists and young people have big hopes about this visit. Day before being in Baku, Clinton said, she is gonna to raise the imprisoned blogger’s issue and to meet to young activists to discuss Internet Freedom. Before meeting to youngs, she met with Ilham Aliev, the president of Azerbaijan and then to Elmar Mammadiarov, the minister of Foreign Affairs. From this meeting, the most important meeting was the meeting with 9 young activist and their Q&As. At first, Clinton made a speech. What I did not like from her speech is sentences about being young country-18 year old country and such staff. It reminds me, the most used thoughts about Azerbaijan and democracy. Other thing what made me upset was her answer about which 18 years old progress she is talking. And finally the third, she said that they are supporting govenrment’s efforts in area of defence of free media and freedom of expression and they want government to do more, too. I know that it is diplomatic reply, but don’t know, why has no one asked her: ” Which efforts are you talking about?”

Now I look at the status updates, sharings and comments of my friends’ profiles on Facebook and I see, they feel sad. Because, we  expected more from this visit. Some of us believe, this visit will change the situation and Clinton will have stronger statements.. But now everybody who care about democracy and U.S.- Azerbaijan relationship has lost their hope and they think to do something to change the situation with own forces.

But this makes me happy.. because, no one can give us democracy, we must earn it ourselves, otherwise we never appreciate it! So… Cheer UP, guysss