“My life and my activities will be dedicated solely and exclusively to the preservation of Azerbaijan’s independence and to the recovery of our country from this difficult situation.”
National Leader Heydar Aliyev
National Salvation Day, which has become a symbol of the return and salvation mission of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, is also an unshakable symbol of our independence. This landmark day is a turning point in the history of Azerbaijan and a moment of salvation for our statehood. This proud day, which has become one of the glorious pages of Azerbaijani history, is celebrated by our people every year with great solemnity.
The road to Azerbaijan’s salvation movement constitutes a difficult and complex historical stage. After National Leader Heydar Aliyev resigned from his post in October 1987 in protest against the political line pursued by Moscow, Armenian chauvinists and their patrons in the Soviet government began to implement a treacherous plan to take Karabakh from Azerbaijan and gift it to Armenia, which led our people to face severe tragedies.
Undoubtedly, if Heydar Aliyev had been in power at that time, the Armenians and their supporters would not have dared to commit these vile acts. Unfortunately, in the first years of our independence, the fragmented political forces and the government of that time did not listen to the voices of the sound-minded members of society, and the failure to invite the great genius to lead the country caused Azerbaijan to experience the tragedies of January 20 and Khojaly, and led to the occupation of 20 percent of our lands.
In the crisis situation that arose in those years, the seizure of power by individuals who thought of their personal interests rather than the fate of the country, and their incompetent management, resulted in the independent state facing suffering. In an environment of chaos and lawlessness, the illegal acts committed by armed groups starting from the beginning of 1993, the rise of separatism and fragmentation tendencies in various regions, and the creation of a deep foundation for fratricide and civil war within the country had left Azerbaijan facing the threat of destruction as a state.
In 1993, all spheres of life in the republic were facing a destructive catastrophe. The struggle between factions within the government for supremacy had become acute, the president was unaware of the real situation in the country and the state of the front, and control over the government was completely lost.
Thus, the policy pursued by the one-year chaotic government led to anarchy, chaos, and lawlessness in Azerbaijan, the economy completely collapsed, and the social situation of the population became extremely severe. The betrayal of the ruling forces exposed a large part of our lands to military aggression, dragging our state toward a dark future.
In such a situation, the people, seeking a way out, saw their salvation only in the return of Heydar Aliyev to the state leadership. Realizing that they were dragging the country to destruction and understanding the gravity of the catastrophe, the PFA-Musavat duo asked Heydar Aliyev for help. The only person and personality capable of leading the country out of the difficult and unbearable situation was Heydar Aliyev.
During those years, the National Leader was establishing the national pillars of the independent Azerbaijani state in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an integral part of Azerbaijan. Nakhchivan was the only place of faith and hope where he united the people closely around the ideals of independent statehood at that time.
Finally, in June 1993, the National Leader accepted the insistent invitation of the people and the ruling circles of the country and took the mission of salvation upon his shoulders. With his return to power on June 15, Azerbaijan began to be saved first from the socio-political and then from the economic crisis.
On June 15, 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan. From this tribune, he announced his firm principles: “The state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan must be ensured based on the traditions of the first Azerbaijan Democratic Republic created in 1918, in connection with modern requirements and the processes taking place in the world. I will always work in this field, and let no one have any doubt that I will dedicate the rest of my life, wherever it may be, solely and exclusively to the development of the Republic of Azerbaijan as an independent state.”
Thus, the salvation mission of National Leader Heydar Aliyev saved Azerbaijan from destruction and fragmentation, order and rule of law were established, robbery, seizure of citizens’ property, and attempts at coups by illegal armed groups were ended, and the salvation movement ended in victory.
Thanks to the unique state course determined by the National Leader in a short time, a ceasefire was achieved in the Karabakh war, and the construction of a regular army began. A democratic and modern management system was formed in the country. With the signing of oil contracts, the foundations of national economic development and financial potential were laid, and Azerbaijan embarked on an economic revival.
Holding the first parliamentary elections and adopting the Constitution through a referendum established a model of democratic development, Azerbaijan’s international relations were formed, and the process of integration into the world community began. It was thanks to the economic model founded by the National Leader that Azerbaijan’s unshakable economic power was created, and a sustainable financial potential formed a strong army capable of liberating our lands.
The greatest wish of the National Leader was to see Azerbaijan whole. In one of his speeches to the internally displaced persons, he stated with deep faith and certainty that these lands would be liberated.
Heydar Aliyev’s ultimate wishes were realized by our Victorious Leader, President Ilham Aliyev – he fulfilled his father’s testament and liberated our lands from foreign occupation down to the last inch.
The Supreme Commander-in-Chief evaluated this proud historical moment as follows: “I am a happy person because I fulfilled my father’s testament. We liberated Shusha! This is a great Victory! Today, the souls of our martyrs and the National Leader are happy!”
Today, Azerbaijanis of the world proudly note that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the worthy successor of the National Leader’s ideas and the true guardian of the legacy left to the Azerbaijani people, the position of Azerbaijan, which is already accepted as a middle power in the world, is becoming increasingly strengthened in the system of international relations.
Ramid Namazov
Member of the Milli Majlis