Although one week has past since the expiry of a deadline for switching from Cyrillic to Latin alphabet in Azerbaijan Republic, the majority of publications are still printed in the Cyrillic alphabet.

The Azeri President Haidar Aliyev last June ordered all governmental, non-governmental and publications to use Latin alphabet instead of Cyrillic alphabet as of August 1. In his directive, Aliyev also called for using the country's official Azeri language rather than Russian. However, it seems that the Azeri president's directive has almost been ignored, since even the state television network Space still continues to broadcast in Russian. This clearly shows that the Latin alphabet, which has no historical roots in Azerbaijan Republic, has not been welcomed by the Azeri nation.

For centuries, Arabic alphabet was used in Azerbaijan as its official alphabet. Numerous beautiful calligraphy and inscription works in all parts of this country in Arabic alphabet are strong proof of the fact that this alphabet has deep historical roots in that country.

Political observers believe that the noncompliance with the Azeri president's directive shows that the Latin alphabet runs counter to historical and cultural realities in Azerbaijan Republic. Besides, making this alphabet compulsory in this republic will also entail some problems, including the financial problem for those publications not supported by the government.

Another problem is that switching from one alphabet to another will impose some limitations on information dissemination and lower the circulation of publications in the short run, as many Azeris are not familiar with the Latin alphabet. Furthermore, introducing the Latin alphabet, which is the third change of its kind in this republic, will bring about a cultural disruption and identity crisis.

Therefore, it is clear that changing the alphabet in a country needs a longer period of time, and setting a deadline for such a change is not a feasible decision.

However, some political analysts believe that the Azeri government itself knows very well that the directive is not feasible. But by insisting on making the Latin alphabet compulsory, the Azeri government is trying to divert the public attention from the country's more important issues.