In the destiny of every nation, there are decisive moments where it is not just calendar pages that change, but the very existence, independence, and future of an entire people that are put to a life-or-death test. For the Azerbaijani people, the end of the 20th century was exactly such a bloody and painful testing ground. The first years of the state independence regained for the second time brought with them an seemingly uncontrollable chaos and anarchy.
elchi reports that these words were stated to AZERTAC by Aziz Alakbarli, Chairman of the Board of the Western Azerbaijan Community and Member of the Milli Majlis.
He noted that the removal of the brilliant politician Heydar Aliyev from the grand stage of governance in the autumn of 1987, after he resigned in protest against the anti-Azerbaijani policy of the imperial leadership, was the beginning of our people’s tragedies. The fact that Armenian chauvinists raised claims to Karabakh just two weeks after his departure, and that the Soviet government encouraged this, was clear proof of how much the enemy feared such a great force. If a wise leader had been at the helm of the republic in those years, neither our infamous neighbors would have dared to commit such a vile provocation, nor would our people have experienced bloody massacres like January 20 or Khojaly. Shusha and Lachin would not have been allowed to fall victim to betrayal, and twenty percent of our lands would not have been occupied. Unfortunately, the troubles brought by individuals with no experience in state governance placed the people in a dire and painful situation.
“The National Leader, the great strategist Heydar Aliyev, who could not remain indifferent to the cries of the nation he loved more than his own life, came to Baku on June 9, 1993, and took the mission of salvation upon his shoulders. Elected Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan on June 15, 1993, the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev declared from the parliamentary rostrum to the whole world that he would dedicate the rest of his life solely to the development of Azerbaijan as an independent state. By emphasizing that our independence would be preserved based on the traditions of the first Democratic Republic established in 1918 and in accordance with the requirements of the modern world, he instilled unwavering faith in his nation.
With this great return, the steel foundations of civil solidarity and socio-political stability were built in the country. The brilliant leader knew well that where there is no stability, there can be no talk of progress, or economic or social programs. Thanks to his determination, the attempts of illegal armed groups to stage a coup d’état were ended, order was restored, and the people’s faith in their state was returned. A regular army was formed in place of scattered detachments, a strategic ceasefire was achieved in the Karabakh war, and the foundation for victories on the diplomatic front was laid. With the historic oil contracts signed in 1994, the foundation of Azerbaijan’s economic revival was laid, and our country was recognized in the international arena as a reliable partner demonstrating independent political will. Heydar Aliyev, who uniquely combined the qualities of national leadership and political leadership in his personality, was already mapping out the strategy for future great victories in those years with his deep knowledge, foresight, inexhaustible patience, and masterful diplomatic genius. His greatest, most sacred wish was to see Azerbaijan whole, to wave our tricolor flag in Shusha, Lachin, and every inch of Karabakh. This testament and the wishes of the Great Leader, who said with great foresight while addressing the internally displaced persons, ‘Believe me, we will go back!’, did not remain unfulfilled,” emphasized A. Alakbarli.
The deputy added that today, under the leadership of President, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, who continues and enriches the political course of the brilliant leader with unparalleled success, Azerbaijan has become one of the most dynamically developing, modern, and powerful states in the world. The army-building strategy initiated by the Great Leader has today raised our Armed Forces to the ranks of the fifty strongest armies in the world. As a logical result of this power, the father’s testament was fulfilled at the highest peak with the glorious Victory won in the 44-day Patriotic War. The head of state’s words on the sacred day when Shusha was liberated, ‘Congratulations, Azerbaijan! Today, the soul of the Great Leader is at peace!’, was the historical triumph of a whole philosophy of salvation. Today, our flag waving majestically in Shusha, Lachin, Aghdam, Khankendi, and Kalbajar, the blazing Novruz bonfires, and the vitality brought by the Great Return are symbols of the eternity of Heydar Aliyev’s ideas. Modern Azerbaijan, which has made its independent will and principled position accepted by the whole world under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, is exactly the free, sovereign, and integral state that the Great Leader wanted to see.