[20031105]RS21661_阿塞拜疆2003年总统选举和继任：对美国利益的影响.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21661November 5, 2003Azerbaijans 2003 Presidential Election andSuccession: Implications for U.S. Interestsname redactedAnalyst in Russian and Eurasian AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryThis report discusses the victory of Ilkham Aliyev the son and designatedpolitical heir of ailing incumbent Heydar Aliyev in Azerbaijans October 15, 2003,presidential election. It describes the campaign and results, and examines implicationsof this political succession for Azerbaijani and U.S. interests. This report will not beupdated. Related reports include CRS Issue Brief IB95024, Armenia, Azerbaijan, andGeorgia, updated regularly.BackgroundSince achieving independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has been convulsed bysecessionism by its Nagorno Karabakh (NK) region, civil disorder resulting in theoverthrow of presidents in 1992 and 1993, and a steep economic decline that has left largeparts of the population in poverty. The exploitation of oil and natural gas resources in particular large offshore reserves in the Caspian Sea may improve living standards,if economic