REBIRTH OF STATE INDEPENDENCE IN NORTHERN AZERBAIJAN:
THE SECOND PERIOD OF HEYDAR ALIYEV'S RULE IN AZERBAIJAN
(1993-2003)
In recent history at the helm of Azerbaijan stood a powerful
politician. He was one who easily unravelled all of the
tricks and deceitful plans of enemies understood political
loops that confused others, one who was ahead of his
time for decades and centuries for his political wisdom
and easily saw what happened behind thick political walls.
This politician was Heydar Aliyev. Only his personality could
resist the trickery and modern weapons of our historical
enemies that have repeatedly drowned our people in blood.
THE GREAT AZERBAIJANI,
A DESPERATE FANATIC OF AZERBAIJAN
Well on its way to entering into the world community with successful internal and foreign policy, Azerbaijan experienced the most honourable and difficult period of its history — the period of transition. All people and countries with moves toward modern progress have passed this exam; each characterized with their peculiarities and difficulties. Azerbaijan's transition was complicated by the invasion of the important portions of its land, by 1 million refugees and IDPs within a population of a total of 8 million.
The everlasting enemies of Azerbaijan did their best to prevent the Republic of Azerbaijan from a free existence and created obstacles on its way to achieving the level of other highly progressed states. The independence and strengthening of Azerbaijan in the role of the "gold bridge" between Europe and Asia, Russia and countries of the Near and Middle East contradicted their plans. Modern Azerbaijan turned to a cross-point of interests of the great international powers of the world. Rich with full underground and aboveground resources, independent Azerbaijan is constantly exposed to political, military, economic and moral pressures. Those obstacles will always appear along the way.
The "Armenian card" of the shrewd enemies exercised on the Azerbaijan people for centuries have never been so actively and widely used before. Armenian lobby functioning in Russia, France, the USA and other states as well as within international organizations is much stronger today. It possesses powerful means, important positions and great financial support to influence the parliaments and military-political governments of those states, also the activity of some powerful international organizations; influences the foreign policy of the countries it supports, as well as the international organizations and prevents Azerbaijan from improving relations with them.
The tactics to destroy Azerbaijan from the inside, to create ethnic and civil confrontation among its people, to establish religious divisiveness have never been so systematically used before.
Never before have native traitors — "axe with a native handle" (idiom) teamed up with and served for foreign enemies to rob the wealth of the country and to occupy high positions within its territories. As much as their servants hired for foreign countries, pseudo-informers against their country and people, did their best to gain foreign sympathy.
And never before has Azerbaijan become the central point of great interests and opposition.
In addition to all of the abovementioned, the liberty of Azerbaijan means the awakening of this great nation having a rich, ancient history and a long history of a powerful state system establishment. Awakening of the feelings of historical ownership of the piece of the land by piece robbed from the motherland, beginning of the fair struggle for the re-establishment of the justice and national and moral unity — all this means the beginning of the NEW AZERBAIJAN RENAISSANCE. The gradual strengthening of the independence of Azerbaijan is powerful support for rising up, unification and assertion of the rights of the 60 million Azerbaijanis spread out all over the world. The enemies, that once shared our lands among themselves, are troubled over the abovementioned facts.
The enemies of Azerbaijan were mostly bothered with the fact that, drowned in so many problems, Azerbaijani people were ruled by one who easily unravelled all the tricks and trickery plans of the enemies, understood the political loops that confused others, one who was ahead of his time for decades and centuries for his political wisdom and easily saw what happened behind thick political walls. This politician was Heydar Aliyev. Only his personality could resist the trickery and modern weapons of the everlasting enemies of our independence in different historical periods which repeatedly drowned our people in blood.
The enemies of Azerbaijan realized that the time was not 1918-1920s. It is our turn to win. For the struggle for independence of Azerbaijan, the establishment of a new life was led by the personality of Heydar Aliyev. God gave a chance to Azerbaijani people sending us the right personality at the right time.
The personality of Heydar Aliyev is an unrevealed world. This rare genius can be compared with an endless ocean. God endowed him with the talent to find out the right way from unexpected situations. All of the abovementioned caused by the fact that Heydar Aliyev was THE GREAT AZERBAIJANI and a fanatic of the people and the country of Azerbaijan. This rare peculiarity characterized Heydar Aliyev in all of his activities.
Heydar Aliyev was born to an ordinary Azerbaijani family of workers. He is characterized as a person of great talent, thoroughly aware of the problems of his people, witnessed the tricks of the 'neighbours' in his youth, a man of perfect education, of deep knowledge of history, wide-outlook and concrete knowledge, with a deep love for his people and country. He had the experience of more than 50 years of rule; was aware of the fine points of ruling systems of a different character and level, a son of a little nation in the Soviet area raised to the level of a leader in covering 1/6th of the world; USSR. Gorbachov's prosecution and tricks did not scare him. He was a man of strong will and great personality respected by the great leaders of today. And most important, he was the national leader sent by God to save our people from the difficulty of a period of transition.
The activity of the prominent public official Heydar Aliyev in Moscow in 1982- 1987 proved to be a man of iron will. In this period, he was a member of the Political Bureau in the USSR government and occupied the high position of the first chair deputy of the Council of the Ministers of the USSR. In the Kremlin regime, subordinated to velikorus (Great Russia) chauvinism and the psychology of the great state system as well as in the system of persecution and discrimination caused by this regime, he proved that nothing could resist his everlasting talent of state leadership. Heydar Aliyev succeeded in ruling over the most problematic spheres of a regressing great empire and achieved great authority in all of the USSR. He was the only one in the Political Bureau to rule the Soviet state and to prevent the regression of that time. Thus the leaders of the Kremlin, especially M. Gorbachov considered Heydar Aliyev to be a serious opponent. During his leadership in the Soviet period, Heydar Aliyev always kept the development of Azerbaijan as a major priority. The great son of Azerbaijan was the obstacle also regarding Armenian militarists who tried to separate the Nagorny Karabakh from Azerbaijan. That was why the "tool" of Armenians since Stavropol-M. Gorbachov achieved his aim: Heydar Aliyev was estranged from the government of the USSR. It was the worst stab in the back for our people in the period of the Soviet government. Soon Armenian militarists supported by M. Gorbachov started their activity towards the invasion of the Nagorny Karabakh from Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev received "stabs" from Moscow and the traitors of Azerbaijan.
The Kremlin regime with M. Gorbachov at its head implemented the persecution against Heydar Aliyev in 1987-1990. As always, Heydar Aliyev continued his attempts to find ways out for his people in the period of Soviet regression and focused all of his experience on the salvation of Azerbaijan from this deep crisis. Obedient to Moscow, unskilled leaders of that time and deceitful policy carried out by them deprived Azerbaijan people of the mental potentiality of that genius.
THE WINNER OF THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
THE SAVIOR OF AZERBAIJAN STATE
Time passage between the First and the Second periods of Heydar Aliyev's ruling, the period of the anarchy were the years of regression for our country. The years between 1990 and 1993 were those of survival. Deceitful leaders of our country and followed them unskillful regime of 'the National Front of Azerbaijan' faced our country with downfall; Azerbaijan was about to disappear from the map of the South Caucasus. On the 21st of January 1990 (the next day after the tragedy of January 20th ) under the risk of his life, Heydar Aliyev came to the permanent membership of Azerbaijan in Moscow to express his regret and demanded punishment for mass annihilators and thus he started the struggle for independence of Azerbaijan people.
The great politician supported his people in their worst days and came back to his country on July 29th 1990. In Baku he faced with humiliation; he was prohibited to remain in here. Two days after his arrival in Baku he had to leave for native Nakhchivan on July 22nd 1990. Heydar Aliyev led the movement for independence of Azerbaijanis from Nakhchivan, which was in the military-political and economic blockade by Armenians and Russian soldiers. Nakhchivan was deprived of any contact with Azerbaijan. The position of Azerbaijan was complicated by the chair-struggle of that time leaders and our lands including Nakhchivan, where the fate of all the country had been decided were under the danger of occupation. In such a difficult situation that Heydar Aliyev's political genius and wisdom with the help of the struggle of the Nakhchivan people, could show the way out for Kengerly people. Armenians failed to occupy Nakhchivan.
Our history witnessed many dark pages: unsuccessful Karabakh war, betraying of our sacred lands to the enemy in exchange for power, preventing from the ruling of Heydar Aliyev, saved himself from "Kremlin puzzle" where Narimanov was once killed, efforts to keep him out of the power in Nakhchivan. A question arises: -Could everything be so tragic if he led the government at that time?
During his residence in Nakhchivan, Heydar Aliyev revived national state system traditions, deleted the terms 'soviet' and 'socialist' from the name of the autonomous republic, adopted the three-coloured flag of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan as the state attribute, gave a political evaluation to the abolition in January 19-20th. Besides the abovementioned people of Nakhchivan rejected to participate in the referendum on retaining the USSR, local organs of the Communist Party in Nakhchivan had been liquidated; December 31st declared the Day of Solidarity of all Azerbaijanis in the world and separated and blocked Nakhchivan released from the enemies.
Again the question arises: What happened in Azerbaijan when Heydar Aliyev was far from the motherland?
The real picture was as follows. On the eve Heydar Aliyev came back to the ruling, Azerbaijan lived the most terrible period of its history. Suffered losses, betrayals, parricide, sell off the lands in the exchange of the post. All these turned to be usual. Anarchy embraced the country. Armed gangster groups dominated in provinces, regions and separate districts of the capital. The sound of firing bothered and scared people. As soon as the situation complicated the unmanageable leaders of that time left the 'scene' on always-ready plains. A group of careerists robbed people of wealth gathered during the Soviet period. There was no hint to the existence of the state. A group of 'work rests' unaware of rules of government and behaved only under the instructions coming from abroad, raised Azerbaijan to the level of national tragedy. The civil war and ethnic confrontations approached. The front was free for the enemy. Azerbaijan was losing its authority in the world. All the hopes were exhausted. The most terrible fact was that native traitors united their powers with the enemies abroad. Dashnak's dreams of 'Great Armenia' and enemy plans prepared in neighbouring capitals on the deletion of Azerbaijan from the Caucasus map were on their way to realize. Azerbaijan was on its way to being ethnically broken. The village of Navahi, near Baku, have already heard the first shots calling to the civil war, blood had already been shed…
Heydar Aliyev was in the power to change this terrible picture. Thanks to the will of the Azerbaijan people, a great politician of the world was brought back to the head and crated an obstacle on the way of the enemies. The return of Heydar Aliyev in June 1993 was the conclusive point for Azerbaijan. The wise political leader prevented civil war and destroyed the plan of internal and foreign enemies concerning the liquidation of Azerbaijan. He undertook the government of the state. The danger and tragedy passed by our Motherland and the people. The struggle for independence took the direction of the victory.
What was his next step? And why June 15th 1993 is the day of Salvation? Let us ponder over:
Independence is the most valuable wealth for a citizen and for the whole people. For many years we struggled for our independence and had thousands of martyrs. Achieved independence is much difficult to preserve. No independence is achieved without a strong and powerful state. People without a state are doomed to destruction. For us, the state of Azerbaijan is a matter of life and death.
The great merit of the president before our people and history was that he preserved the state system of Azerbaijan in the period of sharp geopolitical contradictions for owning of our lands and saved Azerbaijan from destruction. Preservation of the state means the preservation of independence; means Salvation!
The encroachments of October 1994 and March 1995 did not confuse the state of Azerbaijan and the obstinacy of President Heydar Aliyev. He proved himself as a president devoted to his oath and ready to die for the independence of his people and Motherland. Our people regained their self-reliance and high spirit, witnessed stability and peace.
As the great statesman, Heydar Aliyev's second historic achievement was stability. Genius politician, relying on his power and experience proved devotion to his words: "The state independence of Azerbaijan will be eternal, unbreakable and firm…"
He occupied the right position in the problem of war. Taking into consideration the power, the plans of the enemies and their international supporters, analyzing the dangerous situation in which Azerbaijan has been involved, Heydar Aliyev evaluated the situation. He achieved seize-fire and thus save our gene pool, preventing Azerbaijan from the waste of young and healthy forces.
Heydar Aliyev recommenced the ancient and eternal name of "Azerbaijan" over our land, people and language and Islam-Turkic unity, disappeared the risk of an ethical clash.
Azerbaijan witnesses gradually rising respect and authority in the world. Azerbaijan is recognized as a democratic, legal and secular state by the whole world. Our Constitution-the basic law is the work of Heydar Aliyev's mind and one of the most democratic and perfect Constitutions of the world. Carried out internal reforms and stability in our country positively affect the extension of international relations. The Republic of Azerbaijan bases its foreign policy on the principles of equality and mutual interests. Thus it is an open country to all the countries of the world.
The best achievement of president Heydar Aliyev in foreign policy was that he re-established traditional friendship relations with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan and the completely Turkic world. The Republic of Azerbaijan is an equal member of the Turkic state's family and Heydar Aliyev awarded the name of the wise leader, Ataturk of the modern world.
Independent Azerbaijan is gradually gaining authority in the Muslim world.
The Azerbaijan Republic is a member of the international unities and organizations. We may be proud of successful reports at the worthy international assembly of CE made by the well-deserved successor of Heydar Aliyev's policy Ilham Aliyev and with the superiority over Armenian militarists of deputy group led by him.
The international authority of the Azerbaijan Republic is also proved by the fact that Ilham Aliyev was elected the Bureau Member and the vice-president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Against the "Armenian card" historically used by our traditional enemies to defeat Azerbaijan, president Heydar Aliyev applied the oil strategy, which is stronger than the "Armenian card" in the solution of the Caucasus problem. Today prescient politicians understand the power of the oil strategy against "Armenian card" and the Armenian lobby. The near future will prove to us the deep essence of this policy worked out by Heydar Aliyev.
Only future generations will witness the importance of the product of Heydar Aliyev's intellect, the work of his tense and insistent activity — Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline (to be explored in near future in spite of the obstacles put by foreign and internal enemies) and Baku-Erzurum gas line for the countries of the region and Turkish world.
The supposed amount of infestations on these contracts is about
$50 billion and only in the successful implementation of all those
contracts. It is surely a great amount. The investment in oil and gas
production up today comprises about $50 billion. The planned
amount of the investment for the construction of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline
is about $ 2.5 billion and for the construction of the Baku-Erzurum gas line is
about $ 1billion. In the case of successful exploration in the fields
supposed by 21 contracts, we may expect a soon increase in the
investments. So the investment of about $ 50 billion will be corrected
depending on the situation.
Ilham Aliyev
Against forces pressing the Azerbaijan Republic from the north and the south and prevented it from traditional relations with foreign countries, Heydar Aliyev opened the East-West corridor. To release Azerbaijan from economical blockade he revived the Silk Way. World politicians highly appreciated his policy and at the same time, it worried Armenians. The international conference held in Baku in the famous palace 'Gulustan' on the 7th and the 8th of September 1998 with the participation of 32 states and members of 13 international organizations, was a great achievement of the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. The revival of the great Silk Way has a great role in the economic-moral awakening of Azerbaijan and the completely Turkish world.
The great politician of our time Heydar Aliyev led his people through difficult crosses of life and could supply its safety up till today.
There is not any foreign soldier or military base on the territory of Azerbaijan today.
Azerbaijan plays an important role in support of peace and stability in the Southern Caucasus.
Azerbaijan takes active and regular participation in the international struggle against terrorism.
The strategy of Heydar Aliyev concerning the Caspian Sea is successfully implementing even today. To achieve all this at the cross of the international interests, as well as the interests of the great states and bordering countries, the country of important military-strategic position and rich resources- in Azerbaijan is beyond the powers of any politician.
The best merit of Heydar Aliyev for his people in the sphere of foreign policy was normalizing the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, once spoiled as the result of bloody abolishment carried out by great military forces led by M.S. Gorbachov and Armenians or their supporters in January 20th 1990 in Baku. The historical friendly relations between Azerbaijan and the Russian people re-established thanks to political wisdom and mutual efforts of the presidents Heydar Aliyev and V.V. Putin. Today's Azerbaijan positively appreciates the extension of multisided friendship relations with its northern 'neighbour'.
Anytime and everywhere: in country-wide receptions, the meetings of the international level and high-level negotiations the president of Azerbaijan popularized Azerbaijan truth. Today Azerbaijan destroyed the international information blockade once used against it. The world accepts Azerbaijan truth thanks to Heydar Aliyev's careful activity, national fanaticism and love for his Motherland is a GREAT AZERBAIJANI.
Heydar Aliyev collected a group of progressive youth from different regions of Azerbaijan, who got their education at high schools of Moscow, Leningrad and other cities under his care, focused on the Apparatus of the President and different state structures, trained them and prepared for new powerful Azerbaijan of the future.
The president of Azerbaijan missed no process that happened in Azerbaijan. The most important events he took under his own control, thus implemented his duty with "accuracy of the jeweller".
…The late June 1994. Separatists under the defence of foreign enemies and native traitors showed themselves in Balaken. With the initiative of the leader of the state, a group of intellectuals left for Balaken. We spent the night in Zagatala, for we have left Baku very late. Early in the morning of the next day, we were in the house of Balaken executive power. We look forward to meeting with people. The head of the executive power was waiting for the 'guests' from the Russian Federation (Dagestan). Waiting for officially uninvited by the state 'guests' was a sign of negligence for us. We were dissatisfied with such strange behaviour. About 11 o'clock in the morning, we received a call from the government and demanded the state representative from Baku and the head of the executive power to be near the phone. We were waiting for the call of the President. At that time Heydar Aliyev took under his control a very important problem of the country…Being in the hot spot of dangerous events I was for the next time assured and proud that Azerbaijan had a leader. Heydar Aliyev, the author of the words "The state independence of Azerbaijan will be eternal, unbreakable and firm…" is a man of his word; we are saved…
The historical merits of Heydar Aliyev before his native people are endless.
We have a difficult aim: to study and analyze all of his works and correctly present them to the future generation. The historian cannot manage it! This is the work of special research workers and the future. I want to address my contemporaries: Azerbaijan is witnessing a troublesome period of transition different from others. How many great forces are taking notice of our land? How many else are taking notice of our resources and oil? Could a little state have so many enemies inside and abroad? We should remember the experience we gained, bloody movements for independence, the reality of the modern world and the experience of other people: the only way out in the period of transition is a strong individual.
Let us confess that all the progressing people, nations and states of today had great individuals such as Ataturk, Washington, Bismarck, Nehru, De Goll, who showed the way in such a difficult period. Heydar Aliyev was one of them. The time will show it to Azerbaijan people and all mankind.
The 90s of the 20th century is an unforgettable page of Azerbaijan history-'the Movement for Independence'. Heydar Aliyev was at the head of this movement. As the winner of the Movement for Independence, the great person remained in history as a genius. He that is born to be hanged will never be drawn.
Today at the beginning of the 21st century modern Azerbaijan succeeds in the establishment of the democratic, legal and secular state. The worst remained behind and turned into history. Azerbaijan has once forever saved itself from the enemies and looks forward — to the future thanks to the "Ataturk" of our people — Heydar Aliyev.
Modern Azerbaijan, as well as 60 million Azerbaijanis of the world, are on their way to revival under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev - the well-deserved successor of the way of the world genius — Heydar Aliyev's way. We are waiting for the renaissance of Great Azerbaijan.