WORLD PAID RESPECT TO ONE OF ITS REMARKABLE PERSONALITIES
Azerbaijan suffered bereavement on December 12 2003 - people lost one of the biggest, powerful personalities it created during the whole world history, - distinguished politician and state figure of the present, pride of the Turkish world, founder of statehood of the independent Azerbaijan, its devoted son dedicated his life to the development, happy future of the Motherland, which he loved most of all, thus becoming a legend, - the President Heydar Aliyev. The loss is irreplaceable, its bitterness is incommensurable.
Heads of states and governments of various countries, well-known social-political figures, cultural and art workers direct telegrams to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, express him, members of his family, Azerbaijan people condolence. This once again testifies that Heydar Aliyev was not only the President of Azerbaijan, but also one of the unique personalities with high authority all over the world.
More than third a century Heydar Aliyev led over Azerbaijan and during this time played so majestic role in life of the country, destiny of the people that it will never be forgotten. He was not only the leader, but also father of the nation in full sense of this word. In each region of Azerbaijan traces of creative policy of Heydar Aliyev are evident.
December 15 ancient Baku having completely changed its shape for last 30 years due to grandiose constructive work of the President Heydar Aliyev, went into mourning. This day, from 9 o'clock a.m. national farewell ceremony with Heydar Aliyev was held in the Palace of Republic. Both sides of the avenue where the Palace is located were set with scarlet pinks.
To pay last honors to the President Heydar Aliyev, once again express him obeisance as a world-scale politician, the president of Russia Vladimir Putin, president and premiere of Turkey Ahmed Nejdet Sezer and Redjep Tayip Erdogan, president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, ex-president of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadzeh, acting president of Georgia Nino Burdjanadzeh and presidential candidate of Georgia Michael Saakashvili, president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, chairman of the Supreme Body of Uzbekistan Erkin Khalilov, first vice-president of Iran Mohammed Rza Arif, special representative of the president of USA Brent Skourofort and assistant of state council Elizabeth Johns, chairman of the State Council of Dagestan Mohammedali Mohamedov, president of Adzharia Aslan Abashidzeh, mayor of Moscow Yuriy Lujkov, executive secretary of CIS Yuriy Yarov, vice-premiers of Moldova and Kirghizia arrived in Baku.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said to journalists: "I was not simply treating Aliyev with respect. I treated him with love. This is a great loss. He was a great state figure, political lump". "Heydar Aliyev, - continued Russian leader, - was a well-known personality not only in Azerbaijan, but also within the former Union. Different opinions were expressed of him, but when I personally got acquainted and started to work with Heydar Aliyev, my relation to this person changed radically. I understood that this is an amazing person, wise, capable leader, real politician. Scales of Heydar Aliyev are beyond the boundaries of Azerbaijan. I must openly say that Azerbaijan is very fortunate that politician famous in the European and world scale was heading this state. On the one hand he was internationalist, on the other - a great patriot. Heydar Aliyev was a friend of Russia. Decease of this great person deeply saddened everyone who knew him, including also personally me. We had personal, very frankly relations with him. Heydar Aliyev was a great political figure of the former USSR and did really many things for development of bilateral relations between Russia and Azerbaijan recent years", - said V.Putin.
"I want to remind, - emphasized also the president of the Russian government, - that Azerbaijan is one of the few republics of the former Soviet Union where actually no Russian-speaking school was closed, and the number of periodicals in Russian became even more than in the Soviet times. And this is despite of the difficulties we confronted so far in the Caucasus totally".
In conversation with journalists president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev said: "Heydar Aliyev was my close friend and great politician to whom I had the most profound respect. We all know that Heydar Aliyev did many things both for the CIS states and for his people. Following generations will give real prize for his services before nation. For me it is very hard to speak about my dear and unforgettable friend in past tense, but I must say that Heydar Aliyev up to the last minute made every effort in the name of well being of his people".
Prime Minister Redjep Tayib Erdogan emphasized: "Heydar Aliyev was recognized and favorite leader not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the whole Turkish world. The phrase "One nation, two states" belong namely to him, perfectly expressing the Turkish-Azerbaijan friendship. We must try that the idea expressed by this wise saying exists also henceforth. May the soul of great Heydar Aliyev rest in peace. Stating this we must strive to protect and strengthen brotherhood and unanimity of the Turkish world. Respected Heydar Aliyev, whose death shocked all of us, made great efforts for development of the region. This genius person did many things for realization of projects of the oil pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and gas-pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum. We also must try much so as the given projects would necessarily become a reality. Turkish-Azerbaijanian relations are set on such a solid foundation that no force is capable to destroy them. I am sure that the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, continuing the way of the respected Heydar Aliyev will make a new contribution in the development of our relations".
The first vice-president IRI Mohammed Rza Arif stated: "Death of the outstanding state figure Heydar Aliyev was perceived in Iran with a feeling of deep grief and sorrow. The merits of Heydar Aliyev in the development of Azerbaijan-Iranian relations are invaluable. Sharing grief of Azeri brothers and sisters, I express deep respect and esteem to the personality of Heydar Aliyev, a man benedictory to the Most High, may Allah rest his soul".
In his short interview to the journalists ex-president of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadzeh said that death of his dear friend Heydar Aliyev is a big loss not only for Azerbaijan, but also for all the Caucasian countries of, and the whole world. He said: I was extremely grieved by loss of my devoted friend tested during long years, in mature period of my life. The unforgettable Heydar Aliyev had a number of large projects, which he intended to carry out. I hope they will be by all means carried out. Heydar Aliyev was not only my friend, but also of all the Georgian people, cared of them. His death grieved both Azeris, and Georgians. I have arrived in Baku to pay respect to my dear and unforgettable friend to share grief of his family, close people, Azerbaijan nation.
The acting president of Georgia Nino Burdjanadzeh noted that Heydar Aliyev has done much for the Georgian state and people. His merits are invaluable. Heydar Aliyev had exclusive services in development of relations between our peoples and states. I hope that our relations will proceed also henceforth. I shall never forget the meetings with Heydar Aliyev. Let Allah rest his soul in peace.
At the airport Bina the presidential candidate of Georgia Michael Saakashvili said: "Heydar Aliyev was the personality enjoying great authority not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the space of CIS and all over the world. Heydar Aliyev has played an exclusive role in development of relations between the Caucasian republics, in particular, between Georgia and Azerbaijan. Present and future generations will never forget merits of Heydar Aliyev, will use fruits of his activity. The Azerbaijan-Georgian relations will develop also henceforth, present and future generations of both peoples will achieve further strengthening of friendly and brotherly relations founded by the outstanding state figure Heydar Aliyev. Let Allah rest the soul of Heydar Aliyev in peace".
Chairman of the State Council of the Dagestan Republic Mohammedali Mohammedov said: "Heydar Aliyev has done so much for the peoples of Caucasus that today all of them should be grateful to him for the established independence and calmness. Heydar Aliyev has huge merits both before his people, and before the people of Dagestan. The Dagestan people never will forget him. On behalf of the people of Dagestan and on my own behalf I express the deep condolence to the close people of Heydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev".
The president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma emphasized: "The irreplaceable leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev was my close friend and friend of the Ukrainian people. Our friendly relations developed and became stronger due to him. Heydar Aliyev was an ingenious man, wise personality. I am sure that in future Azerbaijan people will realize greatness of Heydar Aliyev even more deeply".
Leader of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov visited embassy of the Azerbaijan Republic in Ashghabad to express his condolences in connection with death of Heydar Aliyev, Turkmenistan.Ru correspondent in Ashghabad informs.
Famous oilman Constantine Baybakov well known in Azerbaijan as a close colleague of Heydar Aliyev expressed the deep condolence and noted that such a loss is difficult to suffer especially for those, who knew Heydar Aliyev personally. "It was a man, who could solve many difficult problems and always achieved the set objects. It is difficult to estimate how many good things this man did for our peoples. He always listened attentively any requests of the ordinary citizens. Books must be written about him, as only by statements it is impossible to express scale of the things done by him. We have not got enough such people. It is very hard to endure the fact that he is not present with us".
Friends and colleagues of the President Heydar Aliyev, everyone, who knew him, came to the embassy of Azerbaijan to Moscow. Among them was also the speaker of State Duma of Russian Federation Gennadiy Seleznyov, who made record in the book of memory.
- I left frankly record in the book of memory, - Gennadiy Seleznyov said. - I wrote: may the memory of the great son of the Azerbaijan and Soviet people live forever, because Heydar Aliyev was a very bright political figure both in Azerbaijan and in the Soviet Union. A man rarely gifted, man of rare intellect, a man, who in the most difficult situations did not lose confidence in that the truth will be in his side and that life in Azerbaijan will change to the best. He was a man sincerely devoted to his family, his wife. At that time not everybody understood his decision to rebury Zarifa khanum, take her body to Azerbaijan. Today I understood why he did so. He is buried near her, that is, they will be together. They were together here, they will be together also in the heaven. I knew him personally very well. I had long-hour conversations with him, that's why for me it is a very great loss, I would like my condolences to reach his relatives and close people, the whole Azerbaijan people.
Heydar Aliyev - one of the most faithful leaders in strengthening the Russian-Azerbaijan relations, man, who understood that Russia is the real strategic partner, that Russia is the country, which knows Azerbaijan well and that in Azerbaijan they know Russia. He made consecutive steps, so that these relations were strong, nothing was murky. And that's why today Azerbaijan-Russian relations have reached such a level that Azerbaijan is one of our best partners among the countries of CIS.
After the wreath-laying ceremony and record in the book of memory the minister of defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Ivanov stated to the journalists that people in Russia grieve together with the Azerbaijan people and especially they, who knew Heydar Aliyev well. "I had honor, working as the chairman of Council of Security and minister of defense, some times meeting with him, and once I was his subordinate, young operative worker of KGB USSR, he already then was the general of KGB. Now, when I wrote words of the most sincere, deep condolences, I just remembered the time, when some years ago in Baku we with Heydar Aliyev remembered the past. It is very pity that such a person has left life, a very wise man, clever man, who in the complex for Azerbaijan period headed this country again and confidently led it forward", said S.Ivanov.
Leader of the nation
Estimating (if it is possible to estimate now) such scale persons as Heydar Aliyev, it is impossible to consider this or that period of his activity in isolation from all the previous activity, - system integrity in this case gets broken. Fragmentary estimations of this or that period of activity of H. Aliyev can not give completeness of image of this historical person.
At the seventies of last century, thanks to H. Aliyev, Azerbaijan was experiencing renaissance. These years production made in republic was adequately reflected in its economy. It is difficult to enumerate all the achievements of those years. Air-conditioner plants, deep-water base plants, computer works, "Ulduz", "Ozon", industrial association "North", Sumgayit chemistry combine, unique structure EP-300, jewelry, shoe, macaroni factory, Divichinskiy poultry factory and others were constructed. Radical reconstruction of oil refineries, Mingacheur hydroelectric power station was carried out, the hotel "Moscow", the Palace "Gulistan", Palace of Republic were constructed.
In 70-80s more than 4 bn rubles was invested in reclamation and irrigation structures. At the expense of these means fixed capital of 3,5 bn rubles was established, new irrigation grounds on 270 thousand hectares and on 550 thousand hectares complex reclamation works were executed. Aghstafachay, Terterchay and Khanbulagchay reservoirs were constructed.
These years powerful complex of space instrument making and scientific researches was created in Azerbaijan, which was the basis for realization of the unique space experiment "Gunesh".
Only in Ganja the factories "Billur", machine building, faience product complexes, the second turn of combine carpet goods, combine on manufacture of bakeries etc. were constructed. Cultural-educational establishments were constructed all over in Azerbaijan. Leading a thin, from time to time very risky policy, using strong and weak sides of the political situation of those times, H. Aliyev promoted involvement of more and more new investments in Azerbaijan. In the complex and thin political game in Politburo and around it, at an enormous pressure of forces H. Aliyev returned to Azerbaijan those petrodollars, which were easily given away by his predecessors.
But one must not think that all these were achieved at the expense of petroleum incomes. Moreover, these years Azerbaijan had already moved on secondary roles in the USSR petroleum industry. The oil-production industry of Azerbaijan still did not bring special dividends to its people. It could not bring them anyway, as its economic structure could not be changed by anybody - it was the core of the Soviet economy. Neither cotton, nor grapes could bring special income under domestic prices of those times.
The investments came into Azerbaijan due to activity of H. Aliyev.
It is now clear that if in 70s Azerbaijan did not create industrial potential, then after the USSR collapsed irresistible difficulties would emerge before it. And western petroleum companies started to master riches of the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian since 1994, took place in many respects due to stability in the republic, presence of high class experts and expensive equipment for development of sea oil and gas deposits acquired at the 70s.
For H. Aliyev interests of business and duties were always on the first place, and all those who worked with him mark it. Vladimir Medvedev having long supervised protection of Brejnev and Gorbachev remembers: "I prepared trip of H. Aliyev to Vietnam... But I revealed shells cases at scrap metal in the steel plant near the old Martin furnaces".
"But they will not blow up", - Vietnamese assured me, and refused to remove them. Something was corrected, on the coast of one of the rivers, for example, at my request footpace was built to the ferry, one of the routes was changed etc.
When Heydar Aliyev arrived, I reported him about the cases and asked, whether it is possible to refuse from the visit to the factory. It is Impossible, - he answered, - they are waiting for us there, we must be going".
As says S.Yanardagh: "Politicians should observe set of three qualities genius, political activity and heroism". When the ex-president of Azerbaijan, being in Norway, arrived to observe sea oil production in stormy weather, he was told at such a weather one should not go to the sea. But Aliyev asked: "Are there oilmen?", - and having heard - "Yes", he answered, - "Well, I shall be one of them".
Even Gorbachev emphasized working capacity and compulsion of H. Aliyev: "And here extraordinarily severe winter fell off. From different places help telegrams fell down on the center. In Ural snowstorms created such drifts that traffic stopped. Not tens - hundreds of trains appeared thrown with all cargoes, with everything that makes basis of manufacture and life-support of the population. There occurred threat of paralysis of the whole national economy. The government had to work much. First vice-president of the Council of ministers Heydar Aliyev was engaged in operative questions at that time. Also Yegor Ligachev joined the work".
But let's get back to events of the late XX century, June 20, 1990. H.Aliyev comes back to Baku and a day after - June 22 flies to Nakhichevan - in Baku real threat was created to his life on the part of official structures. From September 3 till June 9, 1993 he supervised Nakhichevan, being under political and economic blockade, both from the side of partocrats, and democrats. In these heavy conditions, supervising from the cold study lighted by a kerosene lamp, he does everything to keep situation under the control.
The situation in Nakhichevan was awful, he was experiencing, probably, the most difficult period of his lifetime. At that time the leadership of Azerbaijan took almost hostile position in relation to this territory. The words of the then head of Azerbaijan are invaluable in this sense: "Nakhichevan for me is as appendix, if it is necessary - I shall cut it off". And under such circumstances Heydar Aliyev took the rudder of Nakhichevan. And laborious daily and hard work on actual rescue of the land from famine and cold, rescue from death started. Turkey came with help - products, electric power, fuel, the president Suleyman Demirel personally came to Nakhichevan. Also the president of Iran Hashemi Rafsandjani responded the appeal of help and a flow of vitally necessary cargo began entering from this country. Warmth, electricity returned to houses of the inhabitants of the area, products appeared. The death threat receded. Although there were fights in Garabagh, cease-fire regime was established here.
In winter 1990 the Supreme Body of Nakhichevan put forward petition before the Supreme Body of Azerbaijan to exclude the words "Soviet" and "socialist" from the name of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic and to rename the Supreme Body to Supreme Mejlis, to accept three-color state flag - heritage of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, fallen as a result of aggression of Bolsheviks in April, 1920.
Activity of the communist party was suspended here, the population refused to take part in the referendum about maintaining USSR, though the authorities carried out this action in Baku, Azerbaijan, events of the "Black January" of 1990 were politically estimated, December 31 was announced the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis all over the world.
Construction of own border services, national army, the statehood itself began step by step, agrarian reform started. But all this instead of understanding and approval caused rage and envy of the official Baku. In October, 1992 disgraceful military expedition against Nakhichevan and Heydar Aliyev was brought there. But it failed with crash.
In the meantime situation in Azerbaijan was not improved - summer 1993 the country was standing on the brink of an abyss. June 15, 1993 extraordinary assembly of Milli Mejlis chooses Aliyev a speaker and June 24, 1993 - transfers to him discharge of duties of the president of Azerbaijan. At last on October 3, 1993 by direct national voting he was elected the president of Azerbaijan.
In his inauguration speech Aliyev firmly stated: "One of the basic tasks facing the independent Republic of Azerbaijan is organization of state construction. Our way is clear, and we have repeatedly declared it - this is the way of democracy. The lawful state functioning on democratic principles should be constructed in the independent Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan State, using its historical traditions, basing on world experience and universal values should go the way of construction of the democratic state. Such is our way, and today I promise that I shall be faithful to it". The heavy and laborious work on complete restoration of statehood and stability in Azerbaijan began. And today, in our sight, main achievements of H.Aliyev are possible to consider as follows:
The only leader having given not any inch of the Azerbaijan land - is H. Aliyev. In seventies, thanks to the powerful economic market, Azerbaijan achieved the potential by means of which it held out in critical time. The whole industrial infrastructure of Azerbaijan was built on the principle "To pump out Azerbaijan petroleum more and faster". Only HAliyev managed to break this system, which did not allow getting on the final product, therefore semi-manufactured goods were taken out from the republic. Only in time of H.Aliyev new kinds of manufacture not connected with oil and gas production and petrochemistry appeared in significant amount. Having got quotas from Moscow, he annually sent young people to study at the leading high schools of USSR, having created thus layer of highly skilled experts, so much necessary in Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, further they were not used properly. Being the first vice-president of the Council of Ministry of USSR and supervising important industries H.Aliyev, having large creative potential, got mass of adherents among the large organizers of manufacture, whom "democrats" with Russian scope named "the red directors", whereas they were skilful manufacture organizers. In heavy for Azerbaijan time they did what they could to help the republic after H.Aliyev came to power. When both the communist regime and NFA arranged blockade of Nakhichevan, only thanks to H.Aliyev and his great authority both in CIS and abroad, the independent republic managed to survive. Surrounded by numerous enemies of the independent Azerbaijan H.Aliyev managed by titanic efforts to prevent civil war standing at the threshold and stop the Armenian aggression. For a short period of time battle-worthy army was created which stopped the aggressor approaching (for the first time "cargo 200" went to Armenia), that forced it to sign the armistice and go on peace negotiations. Without exaggeration it can be said that international conspiracy against Azerbaijan was broken. Under the hardest conditions, when H.Aliyev was rendered strongest counteraction powerful external and internal forces, he managed to convince western companies of safe political future of Azerbaijan and continue negotiations on development of sea deposits of the Caspian. First contract was signed (today they are 22), which role is difficult to overestimate in future destiny of Azerbaijan. Along with economic factor it created a new geopolitical situation in Transcaucasia, and not only there By the help of people and power ministries revolts inspired by neighboring countries were put down. It may be only imagined what terrible tests would fall on the share of Azerbaijan people, if putschists gained the upper hand. In the system of international relations one of the main parameters is the leader heading the country. And what a scale person H.Aliyev is, international circles know very well. Meetings and negotiations of H.Aliyev with leaders of leading western countries resulted in that Azerbaijan could adequately act in international political arenas. And this, in turn, allowed to receive credits and international assistance, which the republic was completely deprived of previous years. As a result of purposeful and dynamical policy of H.Aliyev several Azerbaijanis were elected to the parliament of Georgia, whereas before there was none of them. The attitude of authorities of this republic to Azerbaijan considerably improved. The tandem Aliyev-Shevardnadzeh became a powerful political force. The decision on transportation of early petroleum in two directions - Russia and Georgia created situation of dynamic balance in region. At the choice of basic route of petroleum export long-term interests of Azerbaijan get to the first place in view of economic factors. By the initiative of the president of Azerbaijan the international symposium dedicated to revival of the Great silk way was held in Baku with participation of the presidents of interested countries. On April 17 the solemn opening of the oil pipeline Baku-Supsa was held which became a reality, despite of pressure of the neighboring states. This pipeline has revolutionary importance on many parameters. For the first time crude petroleum is delivered to world markets around the territory of Russia. Not only Azerbaijan, but also Kazakhstan petroleum may be exported by this pipeline. The beginning of functioning of the route Baku-Supsa means that the Great silk way has once more worked. Also strategic oil pipeline for export of the great Caspian petroleum by the route Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, gas pipeline Baku-Tbilsi-Erzurum, the working routes Baku-Novorossisk and Baku-Supsa began to be realized and the planned Transcaspian gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey practically transformed the whole geopolitical situation in the region and made Azerbaijan the most important subject of the big geopolitical game.
This list may be continued, and tens of subitems on activity of the head of the Azerbaijan state may be included in each of the listed items. Having concluded armistice, signed the contracts, found the niche in CIS and brought the truth about aggression on Azerbaijan up to the most important states of the world, Aliyev put the foundation of new mutual relation with the countries of CIS.
Speaking about the Soviet epoch of activity, the Azerbaijan leader noted in one of his interviews: "I was not a pawn in the structure of Gorbachev Politburo, when in 1985 we began the so-called reconstruction... Even if it sounds immodestly, but trouble you to read the report of Aliyev made April 22 in honor of the 115th anniversary of Lenin's birthday. In 10 hours Michael Gorbachev at the plenum of CC of the CPSU acted with the report on reconstruction. Compare them and you will see the sights expressed by me are more radical than of the then secretary general. And I took the democratic way not by words, without any maneuvering and will devote my remaining life to service to people". Let's note also such a fact. To the question - who sincerely wanted publicity in the society, Gorbachev or Aliyev after the Chernobyl accident, D. Volkogonov answers: "How to inform the public? Only A.N.Yakovlev and H.Aliyev are determined in their opinion: it is necessary to give the complete information to foreign journalists and people". As early as in 1969, causing displeasure of certain, very powerful circles of Moscow, Aliyev began policy of publicity in Azerbaijan. Further, as recognized many politicians, and Andropov, and especially, Gorbachev, they one by one repeated experience of Azerbaijan. One of the main defects of Azerbaijan, and many other former USSR republics - populism was and is. Populist actions, unfortunately, are long peculiar to the political figures of Azerbaijan. One of the leaders of the republic told with pride on press pages that he frequently entered into conflict with N.Khrushov, "protecting interests of Azerbaijan". Actually he did not defend any interests of Azerbaijan, Khrushov finally released him from his post and began treating Azerbaijan with suspicion.
Team members of one of the chairmen of the Council of Ministers of Azerbaijan told with pride how he more than hour kept the minister of the petroleum industry of USSR V.Shashin at his reception. After that Shashin never more came to Azerbaijan, and the planned construction of the first combine in USSR on thermal methods of petroleum production in Baku was broken - it was constructed in Krasnodar. And who-ever came to Shashin from Baku, had to observe "the Baku ritual" obligatorily: to wait in reception more than an hour. Exception was made only for the famous oilman Kurban Abbasov.
When the football players of Baku "Neftchiler" ("Oilmen") won bronze championship medals of USSR, by the order of the minister of petroleum industry of USSR it was decided to construct training base for the football players of "Neftchiler" on the coast of Caspian at the expense of means of this ministry, and consider the team as base. But here one of the secretaries of the Azerbaijan CC CP supervising sports, makes decision to rename "Neftchiler" into "Neftchi" ("Oilman"). To the call of the USSR minister with the request not to do it, as the team represents all the oilmen of the USSR, the secretary of the Central Committee reacted roughly, with which subsequently was very proud. Naturally, after that all plans were broken and means were not presented. And you see it was possible, probably, to achieve a compromise decision.
Sometimes populism reached the ridiculous - A.Mutalibov together with the secretary City Soviet R.Agayev after visit to bazaar... nominated the prices on walnuts. Naturally, the other day the nuts disappeared from counters. One of the colleagues of Mutalibov at the presence of practically all his apparatus led a dialogue by the phone offensive for the general Beppayev, naming him colonial general. Hanging the receiver, he addressed to his subordinates: "I presented him a good subject lesson, didn't I?" All joyfully nodded. In an hour unknown persons (unknown?) fired at one of the Azerbaijan villages, as a result 6 men were dead and 10 - badly injured.
In times of NFA the populism became tragedy for Azerbaijan. "Gorbachev will receive second Afghanistan in Azerbaijan", "I have destroyed the Soviet empire", "we will cover our streets with gold", "Turkish flag will reach China", "Baku has the nuclear weapon", "I will release Upper Garabagh in two months" and other similar statements were far from rarity. An academician declares that if he becomes the president, bread will cost some kopecks. The barbarous destruction of border barriers in the border with Iran is compared with... destruction of the Berlin wall and so on and so forth. We must note that predecessor of H.Aliyev - Veli Akhundov weighting steps with reality never made populist statements.
Heydar Aliyev adhered to the principles opposite to populism both in the Soviet time and later. He never made hasty statements intended for public, but keeping his dignity and interests of the republic, persistently worked with the opponents and evil-wishers (they were in all times), convincing logic and firm sequence. If he could not manage this at any stage, he did not set his opponent at bay, always leaving doors open for further discussions. In the seventies, lots of state and political figures of the Soviet Union visited Baku. Ill-wishers of Aliyev (they were also then) asserted that Aliyev did this to strengthen his authority. Memoirs of politicians published recent years and a number of earlier closed documents show that H. Aliyev did not need any support - he had strong enough positions of the highest level. The purpose of these invitations was different, during each visit some question important for Azerbaijan was solved. In the centralized and totalitarian state everything could be solved with a stroke of the pen, the substantiation could be thought out then. If to get archive materials of those times, it is possible to precisely trace a certain coordination - after each visit of this or that union scale political or state figure, this or that new industry began to develop or new factories and plants started to be constructed in Azerbaijan.
But in certain situations the ex-president of Azerbaijan became a different person.
Once arrival of the "iron lady" Margaret Tetcher in Baku in due time was widely propagandized and presented as benevolent political gesture. TV repeatedly demonstrated the reception rendered by the then president of Azerbaijan - Elchibey to Tetcher. But in reality the visit was direct lobbying of the famous Englishwoman of the famous British petroleum company. in West this is an ordinary thing, and no political shade must be attached to this. The following episode brightly confirms the said. A.Karaulov writes: "... In London Aliyev stopped in the hotel "Claridjis". Here, in the three-room "lux" the president of Azerbaijan received visitors.
- You are a skilled politician, mister Aliyev, and I am a skilled politician, - she (M.Tetcher-editor) said at once. Leave everything in the Upper Garabagh as it is. Do not touch. Do not think that this is your land. It is a point at issue. And let it be so for hundred years. And your great-grandsons, mister President, your schoolboys... they will investigate everything.
Aliyev quietly drank up his tea.
- Ilham, son, - he said to Ilham Aliyev. - Get the carpet.
Ilham made a gesture. They brought the carpet.
- That's it, baroness. Our national artist Sadigov placed your portrait on the carpet. You see, how the Azerbaijan people loves you? And what a terrible things you were just saying? To give one's own land! When the Falkland Islands rebelled, you, baroness, sent ten ships. To two thousand miles away from London! Or Northern Ireland. Remember, what was going on there? Ilham, son, tell the boys to photograph the baroness for our newspapers. No, with the carpet. I, Ilham, will not have my photo taken with her...
- Thank you. Thank you, - she repeated to the journalists surrounding her. And pressing the carpet in her armpit, the "iron lady" quickly ran down the ladder, not noticing that Lord Denis Tetcher, her husband, who had strong dyspnea, remained behind her for ten ladders". "Now I will be driving on the back seat", - M.Tetcher stated when in the autumn 1990 she left the residency of the British premiere in 10 Downing street. And she probably managed this first time with D. Major. In the company of H.Aliyev, though, she felt like an amateur motorist next to the driving instructor.
H.Aliyev left appreciable trace working as the first vice-president of the USSR Council of Ministers. Everyone, who faced him at work, mark his basic features: competence at discussion of these or other questions, acceptance of the decision by himself not shifting off on shoulders of others, aspiration to bypass numerous bureaucratic obstacles of those times and give maximal freedom of action to the responsible leaders.
Summing up the above-stated, it is possible to unambiguously assert that holding managing posts in Azerbaijan and later in Moscow, and then in 1993 again leading the people, Heydar Aliyev showed that he is the person of world scale and will remain this way in our memory forever.