Mehmood Ul Hasan Khan
Historical destiny of Azerbaijan, covering the period of over the last thirty years, was inseparably linked with the name of Heydar Aliyev. Being an outstanding politician and statesman, indisputable leader of the nation, he was a live legend, and therefore the Heydar Aliyev phenomena always attracted attention..
Who is Heydar Aliyev?
Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev was born on May 10, 1923, in Nakhchivan city of Azerbaijan. In 1939, after graduating from the Nakhchivan Pedagogical School he studied at the Architecture Department of the Azerbaijan Industry Institute. The incipient war impeded to complete his education. In 1941 Heydar Aliyev started to work in internal affairs bodies, and in 1944 he was appointed to the state security agencies. Heydar Aliyev, since that time working in the security bodies, held the posts of deputy chairman of the Committee of State Security of Soviet Azerbaijan in 1964 and the chairman of the same Committee in 1967. Simultaneously, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General.
He married Zarifa Aliyeva (one of the great ophthalmologists of Azerbaijan) and had one son (Ilham – current President of Azerbaijan) and a daughter.
Heydar Aliyev became the head of Azerbaijan in 1969, amidst a Soviet anti-corruption campaign and made significant progress in the fight against corruption and bribery. Within a few years of his entry into the political world he proved himself to be a very intelligent, hardworking and shrewd politician. His political career went from strength to strength and his selection as the first secretary of the Communist party of Soviet Azerbaijan proved to be the catalyst that ultimately culminated in his becoming the undisputed leader of Azerbaijan. Under his leadership Soviet Azerbaijan also registered a considerable economic growth and H.Aliyev became perhaps the most successful leader of the country, raising the profile of the underprivileged Republic.
He faced the task of substantially reforming the economy of the country, changing it to an industrial country with modern technology, making Baku – the capital – more beautiful, reviving countryside and improving social, cultural conditions and education of people.
In December 1982, he was elected as a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and was appointed to the post of the First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR. Thus he became one of the prominent leaders of the Soviet Union and at the same time attained the highest position ever reached by an Azerbaijani in the former USSR. The Soviet leadership entrusted him to lead the construction of the Baykal-Amur Highway, one of the giant constructions of the past century.
In regard with the tragedy committed by the Soviet troops in Baku on January 20, 1990, the next day H.Aliyev appeared at the Azerbaijani Mission in Moscow with a statement demanding to punish the organizers and executors of the crime committed against the people of Azerbaijan. Moreover, he left the Communist Party in July 1991 as a sign of protest against the hypocritical policy of the leadership of the USSR with regard to the critical conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Since 1991, after regaining its independence, Azerbaijan has experienced the most honorable and difficult period of transition. Azerbaijan’s transition was complicated by the Armenian invasion of 20% of its land and as its consequence, by one million refugees and IDPs within a population of just eight million. From May-June, 1993 as a result of deep governmental crisis, the country was at the verge of the civil war and loss of its independence, so the people of Azerbaijan demanded bringing to power of Heydar Aliyev.
Heydar Aliyev, seeing misfortune of his nation, accepted the invitation and returned to great politics in Azerbaijan. In October 1993, he was elected as the President of the country. He came to power at a time when Azerbaijan was in the throes of political and economic crises, and initially he was able to bring about economic development. Heydar Aliyev was also able to establish political stability in the country, the authority of Government was consolidated and strengthened.
In May 1994, H.Aliyev entered into a ceasefire agreement with Armenia that still remains in force. In 1995 the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted by referendum. It was the first constitution of independent country and declared the Republic of Azerbaijan as a democratic, juridical state. It also created wide legal base of state provision of freedom of religion in the country.
Contract of Century
In very hard circumstances Heydar Aliyev managed to sign “Contract of Century” with 11 major oil companies (BP, Exxon, Statoil, Lukoil etc.) of 7 powerful countries of the world. The Contract envisaged the development of “Azeri – Chirag – Guneshli” deepwater oil fields in the Caspian Sea and at the same time played a big role in creation of stability inside the country and possession of success in foreign policy.
In 1999, Presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey signed intergovernmental agreement on construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export oil pipeline, which would transport Azeri oil to world markets. Despite numerous obstacles created for realization of this project, Heydar Aliyev was able to defeat all the obstacles and in 2003 construction of the pipeline started.
As a result of effective measures and projects implemented, GDP of the country raised 21.2 per cent from 1992-2002. Revenues of state budget for 2002 increased 85 times compared to that of 1993. So, it was more than obvious that between 1993-2003 economy of Azerbaijan went out of the crisis and decline, and entered the way of development and progress.
Foreign Policy
Beginning from the second half of 1993, radical changes took place in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. First of all, Azerbaijan determined its place in the system of international relations, its short-term priorities, directions and leading strategy. Relations were strengthened with the European countries, the United States, Turkic states and especially with Turkey, the Muslim world – with Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and also with other Asian, African and South American countries. Secondly, Azerbaijan facilitated its activities within the international and regional organizations, thus performing effective cooperation with the world countries.
Resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was one of the priorities of Heydar Aliyev`s foreign policy.
To be continued
Revival of Islamic values
Heydar Aliyev always emphasized the need for revival of Islamic values. He was saying that the most terrible blow of communist ideology against humanity was to prohibit religion and conduct black propaganda on it. But even in Brezhnev’s time, H.Aliyev visited Mashhad, Iran and Kerbala. He also went on a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1997. We can summarize his course on Islam as below:
1. Islam is dear to Azerbaijanis because they worship Islam. At the same time, Islam is very important part of Azerbaijan’s national culture;
2. Islam is a significant factor for moral, ethical and national unity;
3. Islam requires from its followers to be tolerant and treat others mercifully. Mutual understanding and dialogue between peoples and religious groups is one of the demands of humanity in current situation.
Heydar Aliyev did his best to create good conditions for Muslims and followers of other religions as well. Thousands of mosques all over the country, innumerable Islamic schools were restored or rebuilt, Islamic university and departments were established by his instructions. This phenomenon of “religious renaissance” took place in parallel with a strong “national birth” or “rebirth”.
Culture
National Leader Heydar Aliyev always tried to play his part to develop Azerbaijani culture and introduce it to the world.
By respective decrees of Heydar Aliyev, high-level celebrations were held in regard with the 500th anniversary of genius Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Muhammad Fuzuli in France, Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Russia.
For the first time in history of Azerbaijan, Icherisheher (Old City) Historical-Architectural Reserve with Shirvanshahs’ Palace and Maiden Tower was included into the UNESCO’s “List of cultural legacy of the world”.
Founder of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations
Pak-Azerbaijan friendship was founded by two great leaders of the two countries, Heydar Aliyev and Benazir Bhutto.
On the invitation of President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, President of Pakistan Sardar Farooq
Ahmad Khan Legari visited Azerbaijan in October, 1995 and Heydar Aliyev reciprocated with an official visit to Pakistan in April, 1996. In 1997 Embassy of Azerbaijan to Pakistan was established by the instructions of H.Aliyev. Furthermore, in Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summits 2000, Tehran and 2002, Istanbul, the two Presidents had meetings and discussed bilateral relations.
Heydar Aliyev knew the spirit of Pakistan that’s why he reached out to Pakistan and Turkey for friendship after assuming charge. He called relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan brotherly and strategic. In his own words, “Azerbaijan has always, and in all the necessary levels, defended, and is defending today, the just position of Pakistan on Kashmir issue. We strongly condemn and express our objections to the violation of human rights in Kashmir”.
The national leader of Azerbaijan, President Heydar Aliyev passed away on December 12, 2003. He was buried at the Fakhri Khiyaban (The Alley of Honor) cemetery in Baku.
The people of Azerbaijan never forget its national leader, outstanding politician and great patriot – Heydar Aliyev.
Some thoughts about Heydar Aliyev:
Jacques Chirac (French President in 1995-2007): “This extraordinary personality led Azerbaijan to the way of prosperity. At our different meetings, especially in discussions around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, I highly appreciatec his courage, wisdom and firmness in the peaceful settlement of the conflict”.
Receb Tayyib Erdogan: (Turkish President): “Heydar Aliyev occupied an honorable place in the Turkic and world history for his extraordinary services and contributions to the happiness and prosperity of Azerbaijan and peace in the region and world”.
Chingiz Aytmatov (famous Kyrgyz writer): “Heydar Aliyev is one of the builders of the present-day democratic Eurasia, as one of the prominent leaders of the 20th century”.
Concluded
