Author: Azer Hasret

The Best Way To Define Armenian Essence: Remnants Of Aghdam – VIDEO/PHOTOS

By Azer HASRET, @azerhasret

Even Karabakh Khans’ family cemetery is looted

Those days – in 1993 I was a student. I got back to my native village Dadali (Khachmaz) after the completion of the 1st year in the Baku State University. After spending summer months there I would come back to Baku and continue my education. I lived in students’ hostel in the 1st year and was sure, that coming back after summer holidays will continue to stay in my room…

Heydar Aliyev, who was invited by the then President Abulfaz Elchibey to Baku to rule the country, just was starting to make things accurate. But every move was too slow. Because it was impossible to act and make changes quickly. In one hand Armenia’s aggression, in another hand forced internal chaos were main obstacles even for this very experienced statesman to rule the country. But instead of this very tough situation he was trying to move the country out of these difficulties and direct to the path of development. The chaos was another chance for the enemy. That’s why Armenia was not calm, but intensifying its aggression to widen areas of occupation.

As a result several other districts around occupied Nagorno Karabakh were occupied by Armenia. On July 23, 1993 including Aghdam city itself the most part of this district was occupied as well.

I got back to Baku at the end of August, 1993. While reaching the city directly moved to the Baku State University’s hostel in order to get my room. While reaching the place approached the 4th level in the building and after few minutes I was in front of my room’s door. I tried to open the door. But couldn’t manage. Then stood a bit. While I was standing and thinking of opening the door, heard some voices from inside. Someone was approaching the door. Once I was thinking, the door opened. There was a young lady in front of me. I remember as today: her face was faded, but beautiful. Seemed sad. Was broken, but beautiful. Looked straight at me as dried up. Couldn’t manage to say a word. I stood as frozen. Then I looked at her in a moment and rolled away my eyes. Afterwards gathered my courage and could whisper: “madame, this is my room”. She understood what I did mean. And asked: “OK, have you lived in this room? I will bring your goods, I have collected them”. Then turned into the room, stepped inside. Bit a while got back with my suitcase. Saying “just please” handed it to me and again looked at me with her frozen views. This time I looked at her face as well. I dived deeply into her eyes and felt her sadness there. It was impossible not to feel that. I saw this and understood her. That’s why saying nothing took my suitcase and thanked her, stepped away…

The following years with no reason I always thought, that the lady was from Aghdam. There was no doubt that she was from Karabakh and an IDP. But why did I decide that she is from Aghdam? Up today I can’t understand this. She did not tell me where is she from, and I did not ask that…

Aghdam remembered to me with this memory as well. That Aghdam, which after 1993 remained under the occupation of Armenia for very long time. As remained under occupation its white roofs turned darker. Demolished, collapsed, burned down and was to be wiped off the earth. And once people of Azerbaijan, and the state itself came to the senses, made its spine straight and on November 20, 2020 Aghdam was freed from the occupation. Armenia was not able to stay in front of the power of Azerbaijani Army anymore. It had to step off from Aghdam as well.

Now Aghdam is free. It is under control of our state as other lands of Karabakh. We have already started rebuilding it. But this seems to be long lasting. Because the enemy has left thousands of sq km of mine paved lands. These lands need to be cleared of mines which will take a while. Aghdam is one of those lands.

…On March 13, 2021 with the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and under the guidance of his aide Hikmat Hajiyev a group of civil society actors and journalists headed to Aghdam. It was exiting. What were we expected to see on the lands, which are liberated from the enemy’s occupation? We knew that those areas are totally destroyed. Even we had some estimates as well. But once again it was interesting what is waiting us there.

We arrived. We passed to the liberated part of Aghdam through the control point. Immediately we saw the turned upside down lands which was opposite of those that we left behind control point. These were the ruins of owl. Not only buildings, but the soil itself was upside down here. These views couldn’t not hurt our hearths. Occupant Army of Armenia had dug up every cm of the land here. Blinds, trenches, fortifications – everything was telling that the enemy was preparing to the great war. They made preparations to make our beautiful, productive lands a blood vessel once again. Seeing this I thought that it was indeed great that Azerbaijan managed to force Armenia to peace at the end and flee Aghdam with no war. If not due to those preparations warring sides could have huge losses. So we were right while relied on the strategic intellect of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev!

…Just ruins are present everywhere on the way to the city of Aghdam. There is no any saved building even for the sample. Not just saved one, even no any building with the roof on, or with the walls staying not touched. There are heartbreaking views everywhere around. Trees and grasses are grown inside the most houses. Right directly in the center of the rooms. But once upon one could hear happy smiles behind these walls. Now these wall remnants even do not remember human sense. It is obvious that for long years no human being has lived here. Even no one was preparing to live. Instantly one can feel that the occupants knew that one day they will be forced out of these lands. That’s why they managed to destroy everything. And they looted the whole city! They did everything in order to prevent people from living in these lands. But they failed to achieve this goal: Azerbaijan is enough powerful to rebuild these lands once more!

…A little ahead – in a short distance to the city of Aghdam our buses had stopped. We took off the buses. There were a lot of stones in piles. We thought, these are the remnants of the destroyed houses. But we were wrong. That was the 2nd Alley of Martyrs of Aghdam. Yes, dozens of years ago that was a last stop of the martyrs. The enemy with the hyena character had dug even graves, looted even bones of the dead people over there, and turned the surrounding area to the owl nest in line with his character. As the land was mined we couldn’t go closer to the place. Just could only take pictures and film the scene from a distance in order to show to the world…

After a while we entered the city of Aghdam. We have seen the liberated city on the TV channels. We knew about debris of the city. But could not imagine the scale quite enough. Now being on the area we felt the tragedy – the spirit of the war on ourselves…

It is impossible to describe everything one by one in details. Because there is nothing different from each other. All views look the same. There are destroyed buildings all around. There is no building having the roof on it. Just walls of some buildings are destroyed totally, of others in part. So this is what is left behind from the city which once had some 40-50 thousands inhabitants. And the grass, trees, which are grown inside the walls of the destroyed houses cause the strange feelings. While looking around one thinks that who lived inside these walls? Or those who lived 30 years ago here, what would feel if would be here right now?

Unfortunately we were not allowed to walk through the city freely. Because every point of the city is mined. That’s why we had to follow only the way which was shown. But instead of restricted movement we could see a lot which was quite enough to understand, film and show. We looked, saw, filmed in order to show to the entire world. To show in order, that those seeing these pictures could understand our pain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPX7BnJC2VI

Will they understand? We don’t know exactly. But we believe, that those who has a heart has to understand us. Otherwise it is impossible.

While Armenia has occupied the city in 1993 it suffered losses. But not so much as is present now. Now there is a city in front of eyes which is totally destroyed. It is annulled area. It is wiped off the surface. Even its cemeteries are looted. But once this was very beautiful city. This is the product of Armenian character. They do not only occupy, but after occupation the enemies implement an operation of destruction in order to wipe off the traces of history. To wipe off in order then to “prove” it, that those were “ancient Armenian lands”…

Thanks to our Army! If we would not support with tolerance Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev’s far-seeing and well thought policy, it would not be easy to liberate our lands. We could manage this as a nation! We could become an iron fist, unite behind the leader, lead a war against the enemy in line with the standards of the 21st century! Remnants of Aghdam are in our hands! Let’s be that! We will rebuild it! Siting the words of the President Ilham Aliyev, “We will revive you again, Aghdam!”

P.S. Armenians are trying to show us – Azerbaijanis, even all Turks around the world as a vandals, barbarian nation. They claim that we have destroyed their historical monuments. If someone wants to understand who really are vandals and barbarian, that person needs just to see the remnants of the city of Aghdam. That would be enough to understand. Then everyone would understand that Armenians, who accuse us in vandalism, in reality are pasting those characteristics to others, which belong to themselves.

Dadali, Khachmaz

Just only this one view is enough to understand what is done to Aghdam

A view of Aghdam Jooma Mosque

The roads of Aghdam…

In the far point: Remnants of Aghdam Drama Theatre

The looted cemetery – Alley of Martyrs

March 20, 2021
Benazir Bhutto, Indira Gandhi and now Mehriban Aliyeva

Azer HASRET

By Azer HASRET, @azerhasret

Azerbaijan is witnessing new trends and intensive reforms the last years. The country`s economy is rapidly growing, new buildings and highways are built. New plants and workplaces are opening even every week. The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev now emerges as a new era reformer leader. Indeed he has taken the country very far from that, which was in chaos at the beginning of 90s of the 20th Century.

Ilham Aliyev`s country now is most developing, most stable and most reliable to live. People coming from around the world every time are surprised seeing how rapidly the country is changing.

Azerbaijan`s jobless people`s scale is under 5% while some 20 years ago it was above 50%. Or poverty rate is below 5% as well while it was again above 50%.

Country`s population has grown to 10 million as well. It was around 7 million at the beginning of independence – early 90s.

Instead of partly being occupied by neighboring Armenia and having around 1 million refugees and IDPs Azerbaijan is building new life for every citizen – every person.

Now the country is in crossroads of the East and the West, of the South and the North. All important onshore (partly offshore) routs are crossing through Azerbaijan linking Europe to Far East – China and others.

Ilham ALIYEV

Under the leadership of the President Ilham Aliyev Azerbaijan became a hub for very important international meetings. Even NATO and US military leadership and Russian military representatives continuously choose Azerbaijan`s capital Baku for very important close meetings and consultations.

President Ilham Aliyev made Azerbaijan a member of space family having 3 space stations on the highs above our planet.

Multiculturalism and tolerant society building is state policy implemented successfully in Azerbaijan. All 3 major religions – Islam, Christianity and Judaism are developing in this country side by side in very friendly atmosphere.

While Ilham Aliyev started to rule the country in 2003 not so many people around were confident about his successes. To rule and develop a country which is continuously threatened and occupied partly by aggressive neighbor – Armenia must not be so easy for even very experienced leader. But Ilham Aliyev managed with the situation, housed hundreds of thousands refugees and IDPs, built economy and even liberated some parts of lands from Armenian occupation. The country has to solve Armenian occupation in full yet, but this is not an obstacle to country`s development due to Ilham Aliyev`s very successful leadership.

Alongside with the President Ilham Aliyev the country and the world is witnessing grow of female leader of Azerbaijan. This is Mehriban Aliyeva, The First Vice-President of Azerbaijan.

Some 3 years ago the country didn`t have vice-president, as the Constitution didn`t oversee this opportunity. As in 2016 Azerbaijani people voted in a referendum to change the major law of the country now the president has an opportunity to appoint even the first vice-president.

In the fall of 2018 Azerbaijan was going to presidential elections. But the President Ilham Aliyev decided to step down early and launch new election in early spring – April 2018. He was absolutely confident that the people of Azerbaijan will vote for him again. Because only he was that leader who brought the country so far to the new stage of very successful development. Indeed the people of Azerbaijan voted for him on April 11, 2018 and Ilham Aliyev von the election with absolute majority of votes cast. More than 80% of voters wanted him to continue to rule the country. He had renewed confidence of his nation.

Mehriban ALIYEVA

After having Constitutional changes in 2016, Ilham Aliyev appointed Mehriban Aliyeva as The First Vice-President of Azerbaijan.

Mehriban Aliyeva assumed the office on February 21, 2017. But was she new to the politics? Or was she new even on the public? Not of course.

Before coming to the Vice-Presidency Mehriban Aliyeva was very popular and successful world female leader. She was and stays as a President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which is acting worldwide to bring more happiness to people in different countries.

Or she is a chairperson of Azerbaijani Culture Friends Foundation and the President of Azerbaijani Gymnastics Federation with many more successes.

Mehriban Aliyeva was recognized for her contributions to peace worldwide and served as a goodwill ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO.

The First Vice-President of Azerbaijan – new era female leader Mehriban Aliyeva arises as very successful politician. She is a friend of children, or sport lover. She is a person who never keeps an eye away from the problems of people. She is widely loved inside and outside of country. Even the world leaders see her as a strong female leader of our century.

Mehriban ALIYEVA with Ilham ALIYEV

The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin invited her a month ago to visit his country. And Mehriban Aliyeva was the only vice-president to be received by the President of Russia.

The Vice-President of Azerbaijan deserves attention not just for only being a female leader. She is emerging new female leader in the East after past female leaders in this part of the world. She is arising after very famous Pakistani female politician Benazir Bhutto and Indian leader Indira Gandhi. They both were very positively assessed on the world as well. As they are not on the stage now, the East needed to have new female face of political leadership and Mehriban Aliyeva of Azerbaijan is very suitable successor of this mission.

By the way, Azerbaijan is going to early parliamentary elections. Ordinary it had to be conducted on November, 2020. But the parliament dissolved itself early December in order to support reforms of President Ilham Aliyev. Now the nation is going to vote for on February 09, 2020. We are witnessing that new generation politicians with Western education and new skills are moving candidacy for parliament membership. Even ruling New Azerbaijan Party has moved candidacy of those answering new calls and challenges. And there are many MP candidates which served for good in the different teams of The First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. So the people of Azerbaijan are happy to meet these new faces in the parliament. Seems that Azerbaijan is stepping up to new stage of development after February 09, 2020 and Mehriban Aliyeva is in a forefront of this stage. The world has to be ready for meeting new female leader of the East after Benazir Bhutto and Indira Gandhi.

December 30, 2019
Mkhitaryan`s Case: While Sport is Politicized

Azer HASRET

By Azer HASRET, azer@azerhasret.com

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a player. And it seems not only football player. He arises as a political manipulator at the hands of those people or circles which use any opportunity to blackmail Azerbaijan – a host country, which is hosting Europa League Final on May 29, 2019.

What is going? Why the world media is paying such a great attention to the personality of Mkhitaryan and his decision to come or not to Baku for the Final? Is he really just that player without whom the well-known English soccer team Arsenal would fail?

Or is really Arsenal so weak as a soccer team having missing just midsize player like Mkhitaryan can`t play a good game?

Probably, sport journalists have very clear answers to these very simple questions. But I believe that not all of them would know answers to the question why Mkhitaryan is so manipulating around this very peaceful and friendly football game…

We know answer. This very football player is using his Armenian origin as a tool to attack Azerbaijan.

Let`s see step by step development of the issue.

In 2017 UEFA reviews applications by Seville of Spain, Istanbul of Turkey and Baku of Azerbaijan. All three cities were competing for Europa League Final 2019 and Baku has won.

In those days no one, including UEFA officials and this very Mkhitaryan, who played with Manchester United did not and could not know which teams are going to get through to the final destination.

And Azerbaijan while competing to host the Final agreed and took obligations to host any team and its members instead of their nationality.

This means that Azerbaijan and UEFA both knew if any team will come with Armenian players the doors will be open with no any obstacle.

Now Great Britain`s Arsenal is one of the Final players and has one player of Armenian origin. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who is a member of Armenian National Team and plays for Arsenal, claims that his security will be under question if he arrives to Azerbaijan to play. As we have enough detailed information, we are more than sure, that no threat for the player of Armenian origin is presence.

According to football and state officials of Azerbaijan while Arsenal raised an issue of security for its player of Armenian origin, the host country guaranteed in written form that Mkhitaryan will not suffer any kind of discrimination, intimidation and so on…

But instead of continues assurances from Azerbaijan side, Mkhitaryan campaigners launched very wide campaign to blame Azerbaijan for “racism”, which is very surprising for the most tolerant and multicultural Muslim country of the world.

Azerbaijan, if compare with Mkhitaryan`s Armenia, is multicultural and multinational country with dozens of national-ethnic minorities. In contrary, Armenia is mono-ethnic country of the world with 98% of the total population being of Armenian origin. If think a bit deeper Armenia is a country, which does not like to tolerate nationalities other than Armenians on its soil. The last ethnic cleansing in Armenia happened at the end of 1980s while around 250 thousands Muslim Azerbaijanis were forcefully expelled from the country.

Now someone – named Henrikh Mkhitaryan – a soccer player from Armenia, who was born on 1989 – while his ancestors were killing and forcing out Azerbaijanis from his country – claims, that Azerbaijan is not secure place for him to come.

Is that real? Is that really dangerous for Armenians to come to Azerbaijan? If to remember previous international events, including sporty ones, we see contrary. Even we remember The 1st European Games held in Azerbaijan in the summer of 2015, while an Armenian sportsman was among winners, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev himself presented his medallion and the sportsman was very happy. BTW he was representing not any other country than Armenia. He came directly from Armenia to represent Armenia which is still keeping under occupation a part of Azerbaijan killing more than 20 thousands and expelling around 1 million Azerbaijanis.

Armenian campaigners and their supporters are accusing Azerbaijan for being “racist”. One must be surprised to hear this as there can`t be a sign of racism in regard to Mkhitaryan – an Armenian. Because Mkhitaryan and Armenians are not of other race. They are the same white Caucasians like the people of host country – Azerbaijan. But Armenian propaganda machine still is accusing Azerbaijan for being “racist” in regard to an Armenian…

Just in order to be more clear we`d like to add some quotes from the UEFA Europa League final Organizing Committee statement in regard to the issue.

“Whilst we recognize the right to make a personal decision not to travel, we would like to reiterate that as the host country Azerbaijan has provided all the necessary guarantees required by UEFA to ensure the personal safety of Mr. Mkhitaryan. There is no reason whatsoever to put in question the seriousness of these guarantees provided by Azerbaijan.”

The statement further says: “Over the past decade a large number of Armenian athletes have taken part in various international sports events in Azerbaijan without any issues”.

We believe that there is no need for further comment. Everything is quite clear. Azerbaijan is not blocking Mkhitaryan`s voyage, in contrary, the host country is assuring safety and full of joy sporty event. But still some people are trying to politicize the sport in order to achieve dirty goals which are not in line with peaceful and friendly contest…

May 28, 2019
An Ugly Face of Armenian Nationalism – Video

Azer HASRET

By Azer HASRET, azer@azerhasret.com

Just to compare. I am compiling a piece where would like to show if Azerbaijan is really dangerous for people of Armenian origin to come and enjoy a trip to this most tolerant country of the world.

Why am I touching upon this issue must be clear. Just the world is discussing – arguing around a footballer of Armenian decent – Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who plays for London`s Arsenal. Arsenal is due to come to Azerbaijan – Baku, to play Europa League Final 2019 against another English team – Chelsea.

While these two teams were defined to beat for the Final, the speculations arose why the UEFA takes these English players to so far distance of 4 thousands km? Teams and their supporters believe that they could play the game in London and it would be good for Arsenal and Chelsea fans. But UEFA explained that while two years ago the decision was made, no one knew that both finalists will be English ones.

So if the decision was made some two years ago and no one knew which teams will be at the Final, speculations in regard to host city are baseless. One can say one of the teams could be from Azerbaijan as well…

Now let`s go back to Henrikh Mkhitaryan`s issue. He claims that it is unsafe for an Armenian to come to Baku, Azerbaijan. He fears for his safety and took the decision not to come to play for Arsenal. As was stated by the Arsenal and Mkhitaryan himself the decision was taken together and is personal choose of the player. We respect this decision and would count on understanding of supporters of Arsenal and Mkhitaryan. But unfortunately we see that some people and some circles have staged very wide campaign, claiming that Azerbaijan is not allowing an Armenian player to come. Because he is just Armenian…

Is that true? Not of course. The government of Azerbaijan and AFFA – Azerbaijan Football Federations Association officially stated that Mkhitaryan`s safety will be assured in very high level. Plus, official written letter was submitted to UEFA and Arsenal assuring the issue. But still a lot of people, most of whom are Armenians, are continuing an ugly campaign to accuse Azerbaijan even for being “racist”.

We feel a need to answer these stupid – baseless claims and attacks on Azerbaijan. Because while one side continuously lies and spreads ugly propaganda the world becomes a tool on the hands of that side. Our obligation is to enlighten people and tell the truth.

Is Azerbaijan really dangerous for the people of Armenian decent? Not at all. Instead of Armenia`s occupation of about 20% of Azerbaijani lands, the people of Azerbaijan and the government as well do not hate Armenians. That`s why some 30 thousands Armenians still live in Baku, Ganja and other cities of Azerbaijan side by side with other Azerbaijanis. I mean they are equal citizens of Azerbaijan like other ethnic and national minorities and enjoy the same rights as anyone else.

One more point in regard to Armenians` safety in Azerbaijan. Still alive is a great sporty show while Azerbaijan hosted The 1st European Games in 2015. Some Armenian sportsmen also were among competitors and even one of them had won the 2nd place. In a video below we are showing what happened to that Armenian sportsman in the Baku Olympic Stadium.

One can see, that while the name of Armenian sportsman is announced the people are booing him, the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev raises his hands and the people calm down, applauds the sportsman. That must be enough for those who is staging an ugly campaign against Azerbaijan with groundless anti-Armenian claims.

Or we have one more, very recent video footage depicting two young Armenians who right now are in Baku. They are sister and brother. Gymnastics sportsmen. Duhik and Garsevan Janazyan are competing at the European Championship of Sports Aerobics in Baku. Two days ago they arrived to Azerbaijan and were interviewed by local journalists. We are adding a short video footage where they express happiness for being in Azerbaijan adding that sports are different from politics.

Now if Mkhitaryan and his campaigner-supporters still are accusing Azerbaijan for being hostile to any Armenian on the world, that must be their problem, not Azerbaijan`s. We are tolerant, multicultural nation. We are not hostile towards any nation, including Armenians of the world. We have a problem with only Armenia which is still keeping under occupation Azerbaijani lands expelling around 1 million (some 250 thousands from Armenia and 750 thousands from occupied Azerbaijani lands) people from their homes.

And at the end I`d like to stress out that the case of Mkhitaryan once more shows the ugly face of Armenian nationalism which uses any opportunity to blackmail Turks, including Azerbaijani ones. But we, as a nation dedicated to multiculturalism and tolerance, will pass through this stage and once more will approve that we are a nation of sport and we understand the distance between sport and politics.

P.S. It is time for Arsenal to dismiss Henrikh Mkhitaryan at all as he caused so much noise just making such a sport game dirty for his nationalist claims…

May 25, 2019
While You Hear a Voice of Justice

Azer HASRET

By Azer HASRET, azer@azerhasret.com

Recently, on the day of 26th February, 2019 US Congress` Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) raised an issue of Khojaly Massacre, perpetrated by Armenian occupant army regiments together with Russian Army`s 366th motorized unit 27 years ago. As the recent history witnesses, during this occupation and massacre operation 613 men, women, children and other innocent people of Azerbaijani nationality were brutally killed by occupant army units.

27 years has passed since Khojaly Massacre and the people of Azerbaijan always ask international community for justice and help to bring to the responsibility desk those who ordered and who implemented this act of genocide. But unfortunately many organizations and forceful actors – world leaders were not even fair towards this act of genocide.

As Azerbaijan is new democracy and looking towards new practices and challenges through the leading democracies, the people of country always are attentive to the world leader country – the United States. Even this country usually is behind democratization and bringing new values throughout the world, sometimes some voices from Washington are not fairly approaching events like Khojaly Massacre of 26th February 1992. That’s why while Hon. Alcee L. Hastings acted with statement in the House of Representatives calling “to recognize the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre” we, the people of Azerbaijan were happy to hear this. That was fair approach and an act of justice initiative.

Rising the issue, Mr. Hastings once more approved his country`s role as a major actor on the globe to bring peace and justice to humanity. We always wish to see the US like this. We believe in the mighty of the United States and we believe that this country having all opportunities can be fair mediator to solve any kind of conflicts even thousands of miles away.

While Mr. Hastings acted with the statement towards Khojaly Massacre, our belief that the perpetrators will be brought to justice were renowned again. Indeed, we want and wish to rely on US`s justice and fair approach.

We, the people of Azerbaijan and likewise countries are always alongside with those forces which are powerful and fair. And which really is in line with international rules to defend those who face injustice. In this regard Mr. Hastings` act in the House is a sign of will, which can rehabilitate belief of people of Azerbaijan. Because we were losing our belief as the US actors sometimes were ignorant towards Azerbaijani peoples` pains.

Using this opportunity we would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Hastings and call to other US Congress members to act likewise in order to help with justice to prevail. The US were and remain Azerbaijan`s ally on the globe. And Azerbaijan is the country which is trusty to its principles in combating any kind of unfair approach towards humanity. In this struggle Azerbaijan was and remain as a main ally of the United States in the region of South Caucasus and alongside geography.

In order to solve the problem of occupation of lands by neighboring Armenia Azerbaijani people look towards US`s fair approach to act more quickly and more effective. As some 1 million people of Azerbaijan are still suffering the pains of war and occupation by Armenia we look towards fair voices throughout the world. Mr. Hastings is one of the rising fair voices in this regard which surely will rehabilitate belief on the US.

Yes, Azerbaijan was very quick to respond to the US calls “in the days after September 11, 2001” to overcome the world terrorism. And Azerbaijan remains as a trusty ally in this regard. But waiting the same approach from the US side in combating occupation and inhuman approach by the aggressive neighbor – Armenia as well. In this regard Mr. Hastings voice in the US Congress was due for the hope of Azerbaijani people. And people of Azerbaijan have the right to wait more and effective efforts from the US to end with injustice in our region and bring a piece to the region of South Caucasus.

P.S. While compiling very this piece of mine I just saw an initiative by the Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. on “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting visits and communication between the United States and the Republic of Artsakh at all levels of civil society and government”. One can be shocked while seeing this, as the US does not recognize any country under the name of “Artsakh” (Nagorno Karabakh). But political actors like Pallone always were obstacle while the US tries to act in a fair manner. Anyway we believe on US fair approach as there are politicians like Mr. Hastings who really want to contribute to peace building in our region.

@azerhasret

March 11, 2019
Baku. Remembering 20 January 1990

By Azer HASRET, azer@azerhasret.com

Those days I was a student. Azerbaijan still was a part of the Soviet Union. Thus, was not independent like today. There were no freedoms under hegemony of Russians in my beloved country. We were under exploitation.

More than 250 thousands Azerbaijanis living in Armenia were forced to deportation in 1988. And they faced beating, harassment, insults and even killing by Armenians in order to be eliminated. That`s why people of Azerbaijan were on raise.

And me, just coming back from the army service and as a student had joined newly formed Azerbaijan Popular Front in order to lead national struggle for the independence of Azerbaijan. Those days I was as an individual of my nation among those hundreds of thousands filling the squares.

But the Soviets were not keeping silence as well. They used Armenian citizens to open a way to any kind of provocation in Azerbaijan. Just to show that Azerbaijanis are killing Armenians and likewise. But in reality no one was killing Armenians. Those individual killings, which arose sometimes were masterminded by the agents of Moscow`s KGB and their servicemen Armenians. So the people were provoked to cause clashes between two nations.

In such a situation everyone was understanding that the Soviet soldiers are looking for excuse to occupy Baku. That was a case of moment for soldiers to step out their positions and to butter the people.

We were on watch around with my student comrades those days. Just starting from 17 January 1990 in the centre of Baku, around “Salyan barracks” – the military base – we patrolled through the nights, early morning returned to student hostel, and for the night came back to patrol surrounding.

The nights linking 17 January to 18 and 18 January to 19 passed in a quite environment. We were able to see bearded soldiers inside the military base. There were claims that they are Armenians. Anyway we urged everyone not to provoke soldiers.

We started patrolling on the night of 19 January as usual. Somewhere around 11 p.m. I decided with my friend Nazim to go back to hostel and get a cup of tea. We came to the hostel. I started to prepare a tea. While waiting to drink a tea and listening to music we heard the first fire shout from a distance. Just looked at watches. It was 12 p.m. Yes, the attack on the city was started on the night of 19 January linking to 20 January.

We just left our teacups on the table and rushed out in the direction of “Salyan barracks”. Everyone was running in a horror to escape from tanks and automatic rifles. Even there was nothing to do with panzers and tanks. While approaching the running away people I shouted: “Where are you running?! Just turn back immediately!” People stopped for a moment, turned opposite and immediately started to run after me. I thought that fires are made just with false bullets to scare people. But while a car was shout and stopped just in front of me next to the barracks and a young man got off it, laid down on the ground being wounded I realized that we are in the center of real war. I stopped for a moment, understood that there is no meaning to go forward. The young man put the efforts and managed to get up and reached us. We started to step back slowly. Now dozens of panzers were approaching the people shouting right and left. I laid down to the ground to save myself. As the forerunners of panzers passed a while I stood up and tried to get away. There was no one around. Everyone had run into yards and tried to escape.

With my friend Nazim we walked in the city quarters up to that morning. We did not came back to the hostel. Because the people were not sleeping and everyone was wondering through balconies. Even those sleeping were on raise, the city was in excitement. We just walked around and were calling on the people to keep silence and not to be showed through balconies and windows. Because the mad bullets were throwing everywhere and everyone could become an occasional target.

We opened the morning in this mood. While we did not know the balance, we learned that there are many killed and maybe 5 times more wounded. Yes, the city was occupied. The Soviet-Russian tanks and soldiers caused these atrocities to the unarmed people who even did not have a knife at the hand. There were cars pressed under tanks, the streets were filled with the pools of blood, the hospitals were full of wounded.

Funeral of Martyrs on January 22, 1990. Baku. Estimated 1 million people attended. Photo: Rasim Sadikhov

There was no wounded or killed among my friends. But there were a lot of elderly people, children and women among killed. And not only Turks were among killed, but Jews, Russians and representatives of other nations. We learned the figure afterwards: 147 people killed, more than 700 people wounded. Many cars, buses, ambulances were hit, the people inside were killed. Tanks were driven on some cars. On 20 January 1990 Baku was like a battlefield. But there was only one side of the war: Russians alongside with Armenians were fighting against the people of Azerbaijan…

Now it is 20 January 2019. Total 29 years have passed from that night. Me and other eyewitnesses have not forgotten those atrocities implemented by Russians together with Armenians. Because we can`t forget…

After so many years my Azerbaijan is independent, free and strong country. We have to solve yet a conflict with Armenia. One day we will manage with this conflict as well as we managed to get free of Russian-Soviet exploitation.

January 22, 2019