Quotation of the day
Kofi ANNAN,
secretary general of UNO:
“Recognized by UNO frontiers are invariable”.
Conversation during the meeting with President of Azerbaijan on September 24, year 2004.
Abdullah GUL,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkey:
“Turkish government supports just conflict resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh on the basis of international legal regulations of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. For achievement of such resolution we are waiting for compete fulfillment of well-known UNO resolutions by Armenian government”.
Speech on the 59th session of General Assembly of UNO on September 24, year 2004.
Reno HARNISH,
ambassador of United
States in Azerbaijan:
“The United States repeatedly stated that will not recognize independence on Nagorno-Karabakh, and also will support territorial integrity of Azerbaijan”.
Newspaper “Zerkalo” interview on September 11, year 2004.
Nikolai RIABOV,
ambassador of
Russia in Azerbaijan:
“I think that the day when occupied territories will be returned to Azerbaijan is close”.
Discussion with correspondents in the office of “Interfax” agency on September 9, 2004.
Ivan PALCHEV,
ambassador of
Bulgaria in Azerbaijan:
“Bulgaria supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan… Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has to be saved and grating of any status to Nagorno-Karabakh is the affair of Azerbaijan”.
Discussion with correspondents on September 16 year 2004.
Brian FOP,
ambassador extraordinary
of Great Britain in South Caucasus:
“My country advocates moving out of armed forces of Armenia from territories of Azerbaijan… I hope that the conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh will be resolved amicably on the basis of international-legal norms”.
Discussion on meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan on September 21, year 2004.
Fillip DIMITROV,
an envoy extraordinary of acting
chairman of OSCE in
Azerbaijan and Armenia:
“Administration of OSCE seriously worried that conflict resolution is delayed. Acting chairman of the structure believes that conflict should be resolved amicably. Everyone knows the fateful consequences of war”.
Conversation with the chairman of Milli Majlis on September 21, year 2004.
Armenia is regarded as the aggressor side by the Kazaks
According to the information of Mass Media from the 10th to the 14th of September he IV Worldwide Assembly of Kuban Kazakhs was held in Krasnodar (Russian Federation).
Ataman of the friendly associating of Kuban Kazaks of Azerbaijan, Victor Merejkin, who led the delegation from Azerbaijan , informed that Azerbaijani Asossociation was also invited to the assembly by the ataman of Kuban Kazaks'” forces, General Vladimir Gromov.
Along with the representatives almost from all former Soviet Union countries, Kazaks of the “first emigration surge” from the countries like USA, Canada, UK, Uruguay, Brazil also participated in the assembly. In general about thousand participants attended the gathering.
V. Merejkin noted that the chairman of the coordination council of the “In the Name of Azerbaijan”movement, Ilgar Gasimov had been invited. By the way the leitmotif of I.Gasimovs speech was the appeal for the help of Kazak Brothers in the liberation of Nagorno Karabakh, mentioned Merejkin. “Friendly Association of Kazaks of Azerbaijan” brought to the attention of al the participants the aggressive character of the policy Armenian officials that realized the policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territories over the period of ten years.
“Armenian always try to present themselves as a nation that has suffered of genocide and injustice. Nevertheless we consider necessary to “open the eyes” of the world Kazaks in order to obtain their support in achieving the recognition Armenia as an aggressor by the international community!” – Indicated V.Merejkin, participant of Karabakh war. He also added that Armenians are the enemies of Kazaks and Kazaks are the enemies of Armenians, and Kazaks understand this very well.
According to V.Merejkin there is a special attitude towards the Azerbaijan within the Kazaks community of Kuban. This is mainly explained by the following factors: First is that historically Azerbaijanis are considered as being a close nation. Second is that Kazaks’ ideology and traditions are known and respected in Azerbaijan. And the third is that policy of the official Baku towards the Moscow is more sincere than the policy of Erevan. As an example a fact was brought related to the more solid position of Russian language in Azerbaijan, rather than in Armenia where people are antagonistic towards Russians.
V.Merejkin told that for the moment there are more than thousand Kazaks living in Azerbaijan. “We all are the citizens of Azerbaijan and we are ready to take arms and free our motherland from Armenian occupation at any time. “Azerbaijani Kazaks have their national hero in the face of, Platnikov, who perished in the battle for the liberation of Karabakh”- noted ataman.
Nadir Adiloglu
“Voice of Karabakh”
Azerbaijan soldier lost his leg
National agency of Azerbaijan against the mines danger (NAAMD) reports that few days ago 20 years old soldier of military unit in Terter region Emil Agaev has fall on antipersonnel mine.
As a result of this accident soldier’s left leg was amputated.
Let’s bring to attention that this case is not infrequent on territories contiguous to boundaries and on the territories released from Armenian occupation. As a consequence hundreds of citizens die and become handicaps.
Bloody chronicle
Crimes perpetrated by Armenian armed formations against Azeris
(Continuation. For the
beginning of this chronicle
see previous issues)
18 February 1992. Agdam. Azerbaijan. Two schoolboys from the Azeri village Shelli: Natik and Niyameddin Ibadovs were taken hostages by the members of Armenian terrorist organization “Karabakh”. The ultimatum was as follows: unless the village dwellers abandon their residences, hostages will be executed.
19 February 1992. Gubadly. Azerbaijan. The villages located in Gubadly came under heavy fire of Armenian armed formations from the territory of Armenia. Civilian casualties reported.
February 1992. Azerbaijan. Armenian armed formations, controlled by terrorist organisation “Karabakh”, occupied Azeri residential quarters on the outskirts of Khankendi. Moreover, a number of villages located along the Shusha-Khodjali road and around the city of Shusha were occupied as well.
The night on 25-26, February 1992. Khodjaly. Azerbaijan (our previous issues had already covered the facts of Khodjaly genocide, but we don’t want to disrupt the chain of chronicle – editorial staff)
Armenian armed forces supported by the Russian regiment no. 366, comprising mainly Armenian officers and ensigns, wiped out the Azeri town of Khodjaly. More than thousand civilians mostly comprising elderly, women and children fell victims to that barbarian act. That bloody crime has become one of the most villainous deeds of international terrorism against civilian population in XXth xentury. Mass massacre of civilians residing in Khodjaly, Nagorno Karabakh, took place on the night of 25-26 February, 1992. Hunderds of innocent civilians were murdered during one night. Tragical result of the Khodjaly crime is as follows : 613 murdered, including 106 women and 13 children, 487 physically handicapped, 1275 captives who survived the horrors of Armenian captivity and 150 missing. During that massacre Armenian terrorist organisations and mercenary armed formations were exterminating entire families, as well as organising “exhibitive” executions : flaying, cutting ears off and scalping. Obvious fascism : pregnant women ripped up… babies taken out… heads of dead husbands are inserted into the belly and sewed up. One of the ardent militants of Armenian terrorist organisation ASALA – Vazgen Sislyan, associated with a series of bloody acts worldwide, has never concealed his participation in children killings in Khodjaly. Subsequently, thanks to the initiative of Armenian president R. Kocharyan, V. Sislyan was declared a hero of Karabakh war. An extract from the book by Daud Kheyrian – Khodjaly tragedy observer : “On 2nd of March, armenian group “Gaflan” (dealt with body incineration) collected many corpses of turks (azeris – editorial staff) and burned them at a distance of a kilometer west of Khodjaly… In the last truck I saw a ten-year-old girl wounded in forehead and arms. That child with blue face was still alive despite hunger, cold and wounds. She was silently breathing. I can’t forget the eyes of that child struggling with death. Later, a soldier named Tigran took that motionless girl and tossed her onto the corpses. Then they were burned. I felt hearing someone’s cries for help amongst the burning bodies. Afterwards I couldn’t walk further.”
A bloody tragedy of Khodjaly was displayed to the world thanks to the film made by a talented Azeri cameraman Chingiz Mustafaev. His camcorder filmed children with ears off and scalped men. A face of an old woman was half-flayed. All corpses bear the signs of painful tortures. The extermination of Azeri people in Khodjaly perpetrated by Armenians was called “a tragedy of the year” in the USA. Russian regiment no. 366 was drawn out to Russia and disbanded. Nevertheless, none of the officers was held accountable for crimes. An extract from president Heydar Aliyev’s address to the nation commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Khodjaly tragedy : “That brutal and ruthless act of genocide remained as one of the most villainous acts of mass terrorism in the history of mankind. Nowadays the government and the people of Azerbaijan are facing a task to convey the truth about the Khodjaly genocide as well as all crimes perpetrated by Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh to the world community, states and parliaments in its full scope and to get that act recognised as a genocide. This is our civil and human debt that we all owe to the victims of Khodjaly. On the other hand, a rightful political and legal evaluation of that tragedy, punishment of its ideologists, instigators and perpetrators constitutes a major prereqiusute to ensure that such brutal acts against mankind will never be committed again”.
(to be continued)
Democracy in Azerbaijan
By Tahir Jafarly, Ph D1
Azerbaijan: A Strategic Location with Challenges
for Democracy
Azerbaijan is a small country of 8 million people located in the Southern Caucasus, an extremely difficult area comprised of former Soviet States and troubled Middle East countries. Nevertheless, the Azeris are moving forward with programs to entrench and enhance democratic principles, institutions, and civil structures in a region of the world where “Democracy” is a word in a foreign language. The newly elected President, Ilham Aliyev, is leading this effort. The concept of “Democracy” began not very far away, as we all know, in Athens, Greece. Practically all modern nations which have moved beyond the status of “developing” countries have constitutions based on democratic principles. The fundamental democratic principle is that the leadership of the nation must follow the will of the people, even though the governing structure for achieving this varies dramatically from nation to nation. Today, this thinking attains more importance as governing officials take into account world opinion, not just national imperatives, when formulating policies on human rights, international trade, economic issues and societal laws.
Among the metrics
by which democracies are
measured today include the p rocess by which the head of state and governmental bodies are elected, the style and methods by which the leadership chooses to govern the population, proposals for protecting human rights and freedoms, improvements in the populationТs welfare, integration with the global community, and the degree to which polling of the public takes place. Although the list can be made longer, it is this set of metrics which forms the basis for most judgments as to the degree of “Democracy” in a country. History shows that Democracy, once achieved, cannot ever be taken for granted, or it can be lost. AzerbaijanТs former President, Heydar Aliyev, put this very succinctly when he said: “Democracy is not a pound of apples to be bought in the market.”
AzerbaijanТs beginnings
and the evolution of
democratic governance
The first recorded government of Azerbaijan occurred around 3000BC. In the five millenniums since, the country has suffered and survived the many onslaughts seen by the rest of that part of the world. In a nutshell these included Heathenism, fire-worship, Islam, Feudalism, the Dark Ages, bloody wars, and foreign occupation. In 1828, it was conquered and occupied by the TsarТs Russian Empire. The present Azeri state began in 1918 with the formation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, becoming the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic in 1920. Soviet oppression continued until 1991 when the Azerbaijan Republic formed as result of the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Remarkably, this Republic formed and retained its historic borders despite the upheaval and turmoil as the region adjusted to the new situation. Over the centuries, many cultures influenced Azerbaijani thinking and development, as numerous conquerors and occupying civilizations impacted this area including Europeans, Islamists, Russians, and other cultures. The first opera, the first symphony, the first ballet and theater in Central Asia all originated in Azerbaijan. The first women in the Islamic world allowed to remove their veils were Azerbaijani. The only social revolutions in the region, after the European model, pursuing human rights, freedom, and independence, occurred in Azerbaijan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Famous Azeri poets and writers focused on democratic principles during this time period, and beautiful works of art, such as the huge Azeri carpet in the British Museum, made their way around the world. Many of the early, and present, Azeri leaders of social progress were educated in Paris, London, St. Petersburg, Istanbul, and other modern capitals of the world.
Azeri democratic values
can be found much earlier
than the 19th century. In 1215, when the British produced the Magna Carta, the great Azeri poet Nizami wrote his famous five poems. This poetry addresses the hope for a free human society, fair leadership, laws and principles defining good and evil, defining issues for economic existence, and understanding the results of war and peace. This literature paralleled the most famous European philosophers of their times.
The Soviet occupation was a major setback for democracy in Azerbaijan. The Stalinist purges resulted in the untimely extinction of the nationТs best thinkers, and the burgeoning democracy was replaced with Soviet oppression. However, the population still managed to evolve scientists, composers, artists, engineers, and politicians of quality and democratic idealism who are, again today, gaining positions in the countryТs leadership.
The Election Process
in Azerbaijan:
In 1991, Ayaz Mutalibov was appointed President of Azerbaijan by Moscow. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan rejected this “appointed” ruler and the Azerbaijan “peopleТs front,” headed by A. Elchibey, came to power with general, national approval as opposed to an actual election. However, the challenges of the new state, including continuing war with Armenia, were overwhelming for Elchibey and he left Azerbaijan.
In 1993, a native of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, came to power with national approval at a time when Azerbaijan was in serious trouble. 20% of its territory, Nagorny Karabakh, was occupied by Armenia, creating a million Azeri refugees. The economy was in shambles, the intelligentsia had largely left the country, separatism was rising in various regions of the country, there was a loss of faith in government and civil war threatened to break out. This was the challenge facing Heydar Aliyev.
Page 5
Page 4
Under H. Aliyev, the first two modern elections since the Russian occupation of 1920 took place. Even though there was opposition, the country elected, and re-elected Aliyev by wide margins, seeing in him their best hope of survival and stability. Remarkably, in that antagonistic geographic environment, the country survived and grew stronger as democratic principles took hold and thrived.
On October 15, 2003, the most recent election took place, with oversight by more than 600 international observers. There were several political parties vying for power. Ilham Aliyev, the son of Heydar and the candidate of the Yeni Azerbaijan party, won the election handily with over 75% of the vote. Most observersТ reports described the election process as fair and equitable by modern standards and in full accordance with the new election code of the country. There were, however, some irregularities that, unfortunately, became the focus of the media attention. However, the fact is that Ilham Aliyev won handily based on the heritage and accomplishments of his father and recognition as a capable leader who would follow a steady course. He is a remarkable, youthful man, with a Ph D in International Studies, and a fluency in four languages. The Azeris and other freedom-loving nations wish him well for continued success in implementing and growing democratic principles, his stated objective.
Considering the region of the world where Azerbaijan exists, and the political struggles of their neighbors, the implementation of any form of modern election is a remarkable feat in and of itself.
Democratic Principles in Azerbaijani Government Heydar Aliyev set a course towards governing by modern democratic principles. He gave feedback from the national population a high priority. The Azeri Parliament, Milli Medjlis, served as an important and critical tool for this purpose. He also employed referendums, participatory convocations, and interactive sessions with businessmen, students, and other societal segments. He would often walk the streets, meeting and talking with people, referring to this input as “the nationТs word and advice;” he constantly sought it out. Heydar had little patience for individuals in high places who ignored the desires of the populace. The electorate believes that, with this as his example, the promise of Ilham Aliyev is to build on this foundation, and was a key reason for the wide margin by which he was elected.
The Azeri Rule of Law
The people of Azerbaijan consider themselves to be a proud and lawful nation. During the first elected presidentТs 10-year tenure (Heydar Aliyev, 19932003), a new Constitution was drawn up and passed (1995). This created a framework within which to promulgate new laws. The laws that have evolved received significant support from the UN and the EC after their review. Recognized by the Constitution and given legal structure, the Constitutional Court upheld the protection of human rights and democratic principles, and as a result, over 40 political parties have formed, some 600 different newspapers are published, and nearly 20 TV and radio stations are operating in this country of 8 million people. This is a clear manifestation of the freedom of speech defined in the Constitution, and is among the most fundamental of democratic principles
Inherent in the evolving legal structure is a respect for human rights. Not surprisingly, many objectors have exercised their free speech rights by publishing falsehoods about the government and the presidency. A testament to this evolution to a democracy, the government has shown exceptional tolerance. Hopefully, the foreign press will take the time to study the situation in detail and ascertain the truth. Sadly, some international, well-meaning human rights organizations have not done so.
The leading thinkers and power centers in Azerbaijan are very aware that, under democratic principles, there must be some balance between power, laws, and human rights. This balance in Azerbaijan was tested in the period prior to and immediately after the October 2003 national election. Articles were published calling for civil disobedience and outright revolution. Internal destabilization was attempted and exaggerated accusations were routinely published and broadcast. Following the October 15 elections, some leaders of the insurrection were jailed due to direct attacks on police, civilians and property, with some resulting injuries and deaths. Sadly, these insurrection leaders also attempted to present themselves as legitimate opposition leaders, and therefore, argued that they are political prisoners; this was simply not the case. They were incarcerated because they broke reasonable laws in an egregious fashion. Yet their attorneys made endless phone calls to the international press claiming infractions of human rights, in an attempt to curry international pressure to free their clients instead of advising their clients to carry out opposition activities within the law. In the months following these unfortunate and unlawful events, the newly elected president pardoned and freed nearly 500 of the rioters who had been arrested, tried, and imprisoned for their acts, demonstrating the governmentТs tolerant policies.
Political Opposition
in Azerbaijan:
A fundamental cornerstone of democracy is political opposition. With the escape from Soviet repression, AzerbaijanТs government recognizes and encourages dignified, peaceful opposition. If there is a weakness in AzerbaijanТs present political landscape, it is that political opposition is fragmented and not well organized, leading to one dominant political party. Many in the modern democratic nations are concerned about this political structure, but it is a product of evolution, and not a product of design.
The leadership and leading thinkers in Azerbaijan are hopeful that, with time, an organized, lawful, and respected opposition will emerge to carry out the meaningful debate that is essential to a thriving, democratic society. A constructive opposition is desired and encouraged; this will strengthen the governmental system. The world must understand, however, that this is not an easy task in such a short period after crushing, Soviet repression and brutality. Nevertheless, a constructive opposition must, and will, evolve, focused on the concepts of societal and human progress.
A Strong Economy is
a Basis of Democracy
Lessons learned form observing other countriesТ struggles, hunger heralds the uprising of the masses. Consequently, in developing countries, the governments often concentrate on their economies, with human rights as a lower priority. Fortunately, Azerbaijan has been able to keep a balanced set of priorities. The government has used its oil revenues to provide food and shelter, as much as possible, for the one million refugees created by the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azeri economy is successfully emerging as one sign of overcoming its recent history as a breakaway nation within the Newly Independent States. The new President has promised further economic progress with a goal of 600,000 new jobs, as a part of addressing the nationТs social problems. There are clear signs of accomplishment, especially in attracting foreign investment in AzerbaijanТs growing energy resources industry. The better the standard of living, the more the people will respect one another; this is essential for the Azerbaijan democracy to move forward.
To capture and benefit from citizensТ potential, Azerbaijan has a number of inherent advantages. Philosophically, it has a long history of valuing and encouraging education of both men and women and of placing a high value on democratic principles, even during the prior period of Soviet occupation. Economically, Azerbaijan is blessed by fortuitous ownership of abundant oil and gas resources, controlling approximately one-third of the Caspian oil and gas, and an ambitious population with a positive work ethic. Without question, these advantages should combine to position Azerbaijan to integrate well with other nations while concurrently furthering a democratic foundation.
On September 20, 1994, agreements were signed in Baku between our government and Western oil companies that has led to the exploration and production of substantial oil reserves. As a direct result, the Southern Caucasus is now the focus of attention of businessmen and elected officials from all over the world. As an important aside, Azerbaijan, represented by its new president, Ilham Aliyev, participated in the recent NATO Summit in Istanbul, along with Armenia and Turkey. Ways were discussed in which the two warring countries can work with each other to bring peace and stability to the region; with the promise to continue discussions during the year, this represented a significant breakthrough to resolve differences. Turkey has offered to position itself as a mediator, a welcome participant in the negotiations.
The Azeris were extremely pleased that President Bush met with their President during the NATO Summit. They discussed bilateral issues and continued cooperation in the war against terrorism. President Bush also praised the countryТs economic reforms.
1Dr. Tahir Jafarly is a Professor with the Baku State University. He is an author of numerous publications on science and technology and human rights issues. He is Editor-in-Chief of the “Language and Literature” journal
For more information on Azerbaijan issues, see www.azembassy.com
Event with the participation of the APRMIDPA specialist
A republic wide forum dedicated to the forthcoming municipal elections was held in “Gunay” Hotel on September 21. The event was organized by the consultative coordination council of the NGO named “For free and fair elections”.
Representatives of the Soros Fund, Helsinki Civil Assembly, different public organizations as well as the leaders of some oppositional political parties took part at the forum, officially opened by the chairman of the Azerbaijani National Committee of Helsinki Civil Assembly, Arzu Abdullayeva.
Specialist of the Association for the Protection of Rights of Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in Azerbaijan, Ziya Mamedov has also participated in the work of the forum.
He has also attended the seminar on “Culture of Administration in Azerbaijan”, organized by the “Culture Association of Azerbaijan” (CAA), Azerbaijani Culturologists Society” (ACS), and Civil Association of “International Couture Forum” (ICF) held on September 24, 2004 in the office of BP with the support of Azerbaijani Business Center. Culture of administration in government and public sectors was widely discussed in the seminar.
Opening was done by Fuad Mamedov – the chairman of ICF, president of Cultural Association “Simurg”, doctor of historical sciences, professor of the State Academy of Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
During the seminar employee of APRMIDPA, Ziya Mamedov, informed the chairman of ICF about the organization he was representing and oral agreement about the inter-organizational cooperation was achieved. Professor F. Mamedov agreed to provide his Nagorno Karabakh and refugees related analytical articles for the further publishing in the newspaper of “Voice of Karabakh” issued by the PA, as well as on its web site.
6 From Editor
Why and what do we protest for?
As it is known, on 16-26 September 2004 NATO Exercise Cooperative Best Effort was scheduled to be held in Baku in the frames of Partnership for Peace program and 15 Nations were involved in it. However, the exercise had not been held. The Alliance authority cancelled the exercise. Above all, it must be noted that such an event has occurred for the first time in the history of hosting of such exercises. We need to add, that NATO’s cancellation of the exercise is related to the refusal on all authority levels of the Azerbaijani side to let Armenian officers come to Baku.
Obviously, such an event would not be convenient neither for the organizers nor for ourselves. The reason is clear: in any case we would not want to aggravate our relations with NATO and its members but intended to co-operate with them. In this case, it worth of attempt to understand the issue and the reason of our protest. It is known throughout the world that at the end of the 1980s the Armenians started to claim such inconceivable thing as annexation of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous region of Azerbaijan to Armenia. It all started under the name of so-called “self-determination of the Armenian population of Karabakh”. Nevertheless, the acting side of these events were the Armenian separatists from Nagorno-Karabakh led by Armenia.
Terrorist acts planned in advance against the Azerbaijani population in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh gradually grew into undeclared war of Armenia against Azerbaijan, preliminary results of which are known to a great many. More than 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory is occupied by the Armenian military units, more than 20 thousand of our compatriots perished on the battle fields, thousands of Azerbaijani citizens were wounded and left crippled, thousands of our people have been taken prisoners and vanished without trace…
During military operations on Azerbaijan’s territory and prior to them Armenian gangsters perpetrated innumerous acts of vandalism and atrocities against Azerbaijani population. The entire world is got to know about the unexampled tragedy of Khojaly and we have many others: Nabilar, Gushchular, Meshali, Dashalty, Agdaban…
Armenian barbarians mercilessly slaughtered population including babies, women and elderly people. They have left in their account “demonstrative” murders: 70 Azerbaijani kids were murdered in a pipe sealed off from both ends; Armenian gangster kicked out a fetus from disemboweled pregnant woman then stuffed in the chopped head of baby’s father and then sewed up abdomen; Armenian “Gaflan” group gangsters piled together wounded Azerbaijani children poured over kerosene and burnt them; an Armenian gangster lined up frightened to the death Azerbaijani children and tried to chop their heads with a single sweep of his sword…
Azerbaijan’s economy and infrastructure were badly affected, its nature was in total degradation. As a result of the war, more than 900 inhabited localities, historical, cultural, architectural monuments, private houses were destroyed. According to tentative data, the republic has suffered a damage in amount of around 53 billion USD as a direct loss due to the aggression.
Now we would like to get an answer, how can we let those who were involved into these atrocities in our home? I would rather use a bit bold example: how the Americans will react if any kind of international organization invites to New-York the perpetrator of September 11th attack or even the Russian’s reaction if the organizer of those events which took place in Beslan will be invited to Moscow.
In fact, we are not against co-operation with NATO and with pleasure agree to participate in all events of the Alliance and host them in Azerbaijan. However, we are totally against of coming of the Armenians to our land who violated the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and who are guilty in immense calamities and grieves of ours!
We just want to be correctly understood by all international organizations and countries of the world.
Historical moments of Armenian – Azerbaijani Conflict
(Continuation, Beginning in the previous issue)
1990
January 9 – Session of the Supreme Soviet of Armenian SSR, in its consideration of planning and budget, has included the socio-economical development plans of ARNK to the sphere of its influence.
January 9 – Seizure of Azerbaijani captives by Armenians in the Shaumian region of Azerbaijan SSR.
4-10 January – Illegal transfer of 100 tanks, artillery and antiaircraft emplacements to the Soviet Army of Armenia
January 11 – Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR condemned the action of the Session of the Supreme Soviet of Armenian SSR related to the inclusion of ARNK in its socio-economical sphere of influence and considered it as an outrage towards the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
January 13 – Kargi village of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan was occupied as result of armed attack.
January 15 – Landing of armed Armenian forces in the Gushchu village of Khanlar region
January 19 – Armenians organized an armed attack to the Sadarak district of AR of Nakhchivan.
January 20 – Soviet forces entered Baku, 124 people were killed and 737 people were hospitalized. State of emergence was announced in Baku and other cities of Azerbaijan.
January 21 – Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR demanded that the Soviet forces are withdrawn from Baku.
February 13 – The Supreme Soviet of Armenian SSR enacted a decree on “Declaring invalid the decision of “CC RCP” (Control Commitee of Regional Communist Party) dated 05.07.1921″ keeping the Nogorno Karabakh within the SSR of Azerbaijan.
March 6 – Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the SSR of Azerbaijan enacted a decree ” On inadmissibility of territorial claims of the SSR of Armenia”.
March 7 – Supreme Soviet of USSR enacted a decree “On the situation in the SSR of Azerbaijan and SSR of Armenia and on the means of normalization of the general situation in the region”.
March 24 – Attack of Armenian armed forces to the villages of Kazakh region of the SSR of Azerbaijan. All of the civilians of the villages were killed.
May 22 – Failure of an attempt to organize elections of the SSR of Armenia on the territory of the Nogorno Karabakh.
May 25 – Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the SSR of Azerbaijan ” On non-constructivity of the decisions of the Supreme Soviet of the SSR of Armenia and its Presidium on the ARNK of the Republic of Azerbaijan”.
June 25 – Charter of the president of USSR “On prohibition of illegal military formations not considered by the legislation of USSR and seizure of illegally kept arms’.
June 29 – Soviet of Ministers of the SSR of Azerbaijan enacted a decree “on the reestablishment of sovereign right of the SSR of Azerbaijan in the ARNK and measures of on socio-economical development of the region”.
September 23 – National deputies of USSR from Azerbaijan accepted an appeal to the session of the Supreme Soviet of USSR “Concerning the forcible deportation of Azerbaijani population of Armenia”.
1991
January-may – Realizations of large-scale terror acts against the heads of the Committee of special administration of ARNK, armed attacks and massive batter of Azerbaijani villages.
May 9 – MIA (Ministry of Internal Affairs) and KGB (Ministry of State Security) of USSR together with the Ministry of Defense implemented a program with the purpose of disarmament of illegal Armenian military formations and seizure of arms in the border villages between Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as in the ANRNK.
June 29- The Supreme Soviet of the SSR of Azerbaijan involves the attention of the president and the Supreme Soviet of USSR to the matter of escalation of armed Armenian groups in Nagorno Karabakh and decides to clean the territory of the ARNK form the armed bands sent from Armenia and finalizes the implementation of the measures in accordance with the charter of the president of USSR related to the prohibition of illegal military formations.
(to be continued)
Khojaly
(Continuation. Beginning in the previous issues)
Achievement of a final result of destroying a group in whole is not demanded for the responsibility for the crime of genocide to be qualified. Commitment of one of the acts constituting the objective side of the crime intended to destroy an ethnical group in whole, or in part is considered to be sufficient. Notion of extermination, being the objective element of genocide, presumes killing by the mean of physical or chemical influence. The International Court of the UN in its per curiam opinion on the case of “Barcelona Traction” declared the obligations of prevention of the crime of genocide to be the obligations erga omnes.
The International Court accepted the principals that lay on the basis of the Convention “on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”.
II. Legal Basis of recognition of the Khojaly events by the international law.
The following documents allow the qualification of Khojaly events as the acts of genocide within the frame of international law: 1) Convention “on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide” accepted with the resolution 260 A (III) of the General Assembly of the UN on December 9, 1948; 2) Charter of Nierenberg Military Tribunal (even though, there is no direct reference to the crime of genocide, the elements that are the parts of genocide are classified as the crime against humanity and as the military crimes): 3) Charter of the International Criminal Court on Yugoslavia (article 4): 4) Charter of the International Criminal Court on Rwanda (article 1); 5) Statute of the International Criminal Court (article 6); 6) Criminal Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan (article 103); 7) Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the genocide of Azerbaijanis” dated March 26, 1998.
III. Legal outcomes of recognition of the Khojaly events by the international law as the crime falling under the juridical norm of “genocide”
The following, related the crime of genocide, is defined by the international law: 1) Criminal Prosecution and punishment of individuals committing the crime of genocide is inevitable; 2) Corpus delicti is not just the commitment of an act of genocide, but also the conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide and complicity in genocide; 3) Individuals committed the acts of genocide should be applied the principals of the universal jurisdiction; 4) Reference to the execution of orders while committing acts of genocide does not release from responsibility; 5) Chiefs are responsible for non implementation of acts for the prevention of the crime of genocide; 6) The principal of the period of expiry for the crimes is non applicable for the crime of genocide;
7) The retroactive appeal for the crime of genocide is acceptable; 8) Individuals committed acts of genocide shall be extradited to the demanding state for prosecution
Thus, the acts perpetrated by Armenians against the population of the city of Khojaly – ethnical Azerbaijanis are qualified as the crime of genocide in accordance with the international legal documents and are considered to be the crime against humanity.
(to be continued)
Liberation of occupied territories is a major concern for IDPs
On 23rd of September, 2004, the activists of a Association for Protection of the rights of migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in Azerbaijan – chairman prof. Nadir Abdullayev and editor-in-chirf of “Voice of Karabakh” – Gadir Nasirov met with IDPs temporarily residing at the hostel owned by Baku State University. On 24th, they met with the students from IDP families studying at Azerbaijan State University of Pedagogy.
The activists familiarized themselves with living circumstances of IDP families at the hostel as well as got to know the problems of University students.
At both meetings, Mr. N.Abdullaev spoke about the goals and objectives of the Union and its activities as well as about the government policy aimed at improving the welfare and employment of IDPs. Mr. G. Nasirov outlined the actions taken vis-a-vis the liberation of Karabakh and the problems hampering them.
Hostel “dweller” Fizuli Aliyev said that the living conditions there were not too bad, excluding insanitation which can be regarded as a source of all other problems. He stressed an inadequate attention to solve social problems of IDPs. Although the refugees and IDPs are exempt from certain taxes and students are not liable for tuition fees, this is just a tiny portion of enormous problems faced by these people deprived of their houses and property. F. Aliev added that despite all problems IDPs had only one major concern – liberation of our historical land and return to home.
An IDP from Jabrail, Karabakh war veteran Tofiq Mustafaev emphasized that unemployment was a matter of concern for the people. From his point of view, the government should have tackled this matter more seriously based on a spesific program.
Maharram Guliev, Huseyn Novruzov, Rovshan Huseynov, Faig Allhverdiev and other IDPs spoke about the problems as well. They pointed out that annually Baku State University donates certain amount of foodstuffs to IDP families, but they wanted nothing but being back to native land.
Baku State University students Shakhnazkhanum Shukurzade, Akif Hajiyev, Shalale Gulieva, Ulkar Alieva and others stressed the impacts of their everyday problems although the education was smooth. All the participants of the meeting were united in their feeling that liberation of Nagorno Karabakh and other occupied territories was the major problem.
The last issues of “Golos Karabaxa” and “Voice of Karabakh” were distributed among the participants.
Ayten Aleskerova
PU specialist
MEETINGS OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT IN ASTANA
As is well known, meeting of heads of countries-members of CIS took place in capital city of Kazakhstan, Astana.
On September 15 President of Azerbaijan Ilham ALIEV had tete-a-tete meeting with president of Armenia Robert KOCHARIAN.
On the basis of agreement achieved during the last meeting in Warsaw presidents had more than 3-hours lasted detailed discussions related to amicable resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and strategies for resolution.
3-hours lasted meeting between President of Azerbaijan Ilham ALIEV and President of Armenia Robert KOCHARIAN with participation of president of Russia Vladimir PUTIN took place after the tete-a-tete meeting. Presidents gave a short speech for the press at the meetings completion.
Special correspondents of AzerTAJ reports that the same day meeting between President of Azerbaijan Ilham ALIEV, President of Armenia Robert KOCHARIAN with participation of co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk group, Yuri MERZLAKOV (Russia), Steven MENN (USA) and Anri JAKOLEN took place.
After the meeting Yuri MERZLAKOV informed journalists that debate between presidents was mainly related to the issues, discussed on summit in Paris. Some of the issues are: liberation of the territories bordering to Nagorno-Karabakh, returning of refugees and guarantying their safety. Azerbaijan and Armenian sides exchanged the views regarding these topics. After the summit in Astana officials of Baku and Erevan will introduce their suggestions that will become a basis for the future activities of the Minsk group. All the issues discussed between presidents were in the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan principle. Many aspects, appearing during the discussions were related to the causes and outcomes of the conflict.
National heroes of Azerbaijan
He became a “shehid “
To live in the hearts
Sardar was a son of Azerbaijan, one of those who could give their life to their country.
Sardar Madat ogli Safarov was born in 1960 in a mountain city of Kelbajar, he had a high school degree, he worked in national agriculture and in 1979-81 was a solder in the Soviet army. After the military he started working in Baku Automobile industry, while he could not leave a desire to be a policeman, to serve as a defender of rights to his country. This desire brought him to a Zaokski city department of internal deals in Tulski region, were he became a policeman, afterwards, Sardar was send to a Kaunaski police academy, at the end of which in 1987, he came back to his team.
He worked there up to 1991, and then he was sent to his home country, where he worked as a police inspector in Gusar region. unfortunately Sardar could not quietly work. who could be quiet these days. these were the times when Armenian movements were growing. Armenians were making terrorist attacks in Karabakh, they were shooting into buses, villages and districts; innocent children, women and old people were dying. Therefore Sardar, as a person who loves his country, respects his people could not step aside. He could never admit murders and terrorism, he became an active participant of passport regime, and many times he was present at the places after terrorist attacks. Sardar could not confess that someone is stepped over the county’s sovereignty and territorial wellbeing.
On the 25th of September Armenian terrorists attacked a bus “GAZ-53”. Sardar became an active participant against them, and he wished to come to Karabakh to help his colleagues to fight against terrorists.
Armenians knew that Sardar Safarov is a man of a word. Consequently everyone involved in this operation will be found and seriously punished. Thus Armenians decided to kill him.
The “UAZ” car was attacked by terrorists and Sardar died. while fighting with them, he got seven shoots, which eventually murdered him.
On 29th of October 1992 a President of Azerbaijan granded titul of national hero Sardar Madat ogli Safarov, a great hero of Azerbaijan.
Sardar became “shehid” for his country to live and for his own life in hearts of his nation.
Gadir Nasirov
“Voice of Karabakh”
Now Armenians can’t overcome “Illness of Nahchivanian”
Armenians have appetite for new lands of Azerbaijan
Armenians started occupying Azerbaijani lands since 19th century, they now posses 20% of this sovereign country and it seems that they are getting a “nice” habit of that. After bloody years in 1988-1994, negative territorial question is not over in Yerevan. This time the dirty mission is carried by official Armenian press, which states, that it is a time to take back the “officially authorized” land disinclining Karabakh and Nahchivan, additional 506 squared kilometres of “Armenian land”. Not long time ago Armenian magazine “Voice of Armenia” wrote such a lie: “If Baku officially refuses Soviet willpower, then Azerbaijan should return 506 squared kilometres of previously occupied land.” It is about the lands of Armenia which were given to Azerbaijan during social construction.
The magazine is actually even providing “facts”: “In August 1992 12 years ago Armenia lost Arzvashen, this was called “Armenian anklov” in Azerbaijan, while Tatars named it Beshkent. The reality is different, this city was lost long time ago, in 1929 in a geographical map of Armenia SSR it was marked as a the one crossing and contacting with an Azerbaijani district. In the middle of 20th century Arzvashen territories were authorized to Azerbaijan for a land usage, this is how and why the land actually became an Armenian island. On maps in 1970-1980s it was already marked as an anklav of Armenia. The same time the lands of Arartski region (Armenia) were dedicated to a Nahchivan ASSR as well. At the end of 1960 Azerbaijani village Kamarli acquired 700 hectare of the forest in Armenian village Doveh (Noemberyansk region). In 70-80s Dovehskii question rose several times, however for the sake of international peace, it was not developed.
Armenians are saying that for many years lands were taken away, around 2100 hector of forestry and agricultural lands, mapped in 1924 as Armenian. “Dovekhski folder” was sent to Moscow and find it’s solution, but on the map only. Formally lands were returned to Armenians, but in fact Azerbaijanis were still using them and even new houses and farms were built in Baganis-Aimur region. Boundaries upon Surb Asvatsatsin church in Voskepar were violated.
“In the middle of XX century Armenian SSR lost 700 more hectare of land, transferred to Azerbaijan village Tashsalkhlor. This lands have historical importance since there is an ancient graveyards and churches on it’s territory”, – claims newspaper of Erevan.
Taking into account fact of historical insolence of Armenians, next fiction is not surprising. In fact this is exact and only way for this sick of land-rush people enlarge their territories starting from XIX century. For instance in 1918 size of Armenian “Republic” was only 8-9 thousands squire kilometers where during the time of Soviet rule this number rose up to 28 thousands. This artificially or it is better to say boldly added territory consists up to 95 percent of historically Azerbaijani and partly Georgian lands. Even more terrible that this brutal act was interpreted as a voluntary aid of Azerbaijani and Georgian people to the sister nation of Armenia”.
As regards the Karki and Baganis-Airim villages, they are also historical Azerbaijani lands, granted by Moscow to Armenia in the period of “sovietization” of Caucasus.
And the claim for Karabakh and Nakhichivan is an old story written by nationalist ideology dominated in Armenia for all times. Firstly they achieved autonomy in Nagorno-Karabakh in early 20’s then in November 1945 they raised the issue of joining of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Then absurd lies such as “Karabakh is historically belongs to Armenia” were used. Government of Azerbaijan SSR presented such an indisputable proofs and documentation that Government of USSR has nothing to do but to reject all claims of Armenian SSR. Then in Stalin times Azerbaijan managed to stand this pressure.
Misappropriation of other’s lands is national, social and historically known illness of Armenian people, regardless to ruling parties and forces in Armenia. For example, in 1945-1946 similar claims took place regarding Nakhichivan, at the same time similar projects for Turkish and Iranian lands existed. When they succeed to take over Baganis-Airim and Karki villages, to advocate themselves they claimed that it is historical territory of Armenia however there are no any facts and documentation supporting them. Historical documents of Russian Empire show that the dominant part of population in Erivan province are Azerbaijani. Then to increase number of Armenian population they started to make up Armenian names for Azerbaijan residents of the province.
New (better to say old) pretensions of Armenians to Azerbaijan is nothing but one more proof of their illness. From other side it is an issue for international organizations, employed on conflict resolution in Nagorno-Karabakh to think. In fact existence of any claims by Armenia on the territories of independent state of Azerbaijan sets the question: is it possible to resolve anything with Armenia amicably?!
Nadir ABDULLAYEV
Professor,
chairman of NA
“Ramil did not step even on an ant”
This days, a head of a Public Association “Association for the Protection of the rights of Migrants and Internally Displaced People in Azerbaijan” professor Nadir Abdulayev, employees of PA-redactor of a magazine “Voice of Karabakh” Gadir Nasirov and Samir Ibrahimov visited the family of IDP Sahib Safarov from Jebrayil region, who temporary lives in a dormitory in Darnagul. This is a family of Ramil Safarov, who was Azerbaijani officer, who could not resist how two Armenian officers were letting down his feelings about his country, his believes and national patriotism during a NATO project “Partnership for Peace” in Budapest University and killed one of the Armenian officers Gurgen Margaryan.
Representatives of the PA talked to Ramil’s father Sahib and mother Nubar Safarova about their difficulties and needs, the head of the family stated that they faced the same problems as all IDPs. They try to solve these problems by shared efforts and commitments; however there are difficulties that are too massive- one of their sons is chained to a bed by a serious illness. They got really depressed by the situation in Budapest; they feel bad for their son, and for the dead Armenian officer, it is impossible for them to admit that their son has committed a murder. “Ramil is a very kind and humane person; he could not step on an ant, he is not able to kill a life human being” – says his mother Nubar Khanum. According to her point of view, the fact that Ramil saw innocent people dying in front of him left its mark in his heard. Ramil’s parents claim that Armenian officers by letting down Azerbaijan flag, dignity of Azerbaijani martyrs, who perished protecting their motherland, made him commit this crime, all this is proved by letters, written to a family by Ramil.
The whole family is under an unexplainable stress, they are having very bad times, because the loss of Ramil would break them. Whenever their son calls, he tries to make them feel better, by saying that Armenian officers pushed him to a murder. Safarovs do not know when the court will start the trial, they wish to be present during the court, but there is no hope, that their wish will ever come true.
Ramil’s family expressed their deepest appreciation to the whole media, government and everyone, who worries about their son. They truly hope that our authorities will do everything possible to make a just decision, the whole family prays for Ramil to sit in jail in his own country.
Representatives of PA left a small financial aid for the internally displaced family.
Ziya Mamedov
Repersentative of the PA
Failure of illusions or Armenian terrorism
Rovshan MUSTAFAYEV,
doctor of politics
(Continuation. Beginning is in the
previous numbers)
It has to be acknowledged that in accordance with the UN Convention of January 10, 2000 the world community couldn’t simply clarify itself with the definition of “terrorism” throughout its history. It even happened that the word “terrorist” itself was interpreted as “fighter for freedom”. Due to the difficulties in interpretation jurists had to set up system of conventions classifying specific facts as crimes: whether it’s placing explosives, kidnapping or highjacking….
The president of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin spoke in Russian, on terrorism straight and openly: “It’s an infection that has to be fought against”.
Considering all the external difficulties of this phenomenon the situation is much simple with the definition of “Armenian terrorism”. Some Armenian organisations independent of their names consider the terror in their programmes as a way of reaching the aim put by. Moreover the victims of Armenian terrorism over the decades turned to be the members of these organisations themselves, those of them who denied terror as it is, showing dissidence. Statements and facts qualifying terrorist oriented activities of the number of Armenian organisations remained as a crime against a Man even in the researches of Armenian scholars, speeches of political leaders given during the critical period for Armenian nation. Even the form of justifying the aim also indicates the same: acute murders as a method of mass frightening. As for Armenian bandformings performing the utilities of terrorist organisations, they have already got this definition in the researches of Russian scholars and publicists on Caucasus as far back as the end of the century before last.
Recently, member of House of Representatives, co-chairman of the Helsinki commission, American Congressman Christopher H.Smith in the hearing on counter-terrorist cooperation in the frame of OSCE spoke in a sense, that there is no specific mean to win the war against disasters of terrorism. The victory can be achieved only by common approach presuming assault and battery on terrorism from different directions. He also asked the representatives of the states located in Caucasus to come up with concrete proposals.
Perhaps the current edition (“Crime of Armenian terrorist and brigandish groups against humanity” editor.) – is one of the concrete proposals in learning the international terrorism for the purpose of effective fight with it.
It is possible that proposed Encyclopaedia is close per se “Black book”, that the founders of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan had not time to publish (beginning of XX century) – the first democratic republic in the East.
Perhaps the changing world is not able to explain the cruelty. But only one thing is impossible – this book will never be an appeal for fear and humility.
Mankind is able to get rid of imposed illusions. Imposed to THOSE, who cut open stomachs of pregnant women, with sabres cut off frightened boys’ heads, blow up cinemas, civil aircrafts, murdered politicians and businessmen, set fire to churches, mosques and synagogues.
We would also wish to hope that the proposed book – as an answer to the appeal of the President of Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to the scholars to deliver the truth about Armenian terrorism to the world community.
Terrorism poses a global threat to human rights. And to most precious of them – right to Live.
This right is of a special protection.
Russians about Armenians
Vasil Lvovich Velichko
(The Caucasus, Russian issue and intertribal matters)
I keep the reprint of an article where a Russian woman calls her compatriots in Tiflis to be economical, to refuse of unnecessary luxury and dubious credits and appeals to protect the honor and dignity of their fathers and brothers. The article was restricted mainly because the success of such an article could vex the local bigwigs. The pretence for the restriction of the article was non-admission of racial intolerance, though there was nothing told about the Armenians. Racial “tolerance” however, did not hamper it from letting a Tiflis street paper to publish an ugly lampoon on Mohammedanism. Some penny-a-liner has written that Mohammed was forcedly pushed to hell. . It was not written aimlessly, but with the purpose to provoke public disorder. On the day the article was published the Armenian rabble got to know about it and started to tease local Muslims. The anger of the latter was so strong that in some places people were ready to take their swords and fight. As the territorial chief was on leave, Muslim religious leaders stated to his deputy that they are not responsible for any disobedience of their congregation.
Due to the last reason the censorship let me turn down that scoundrel foolishly smearing others’ confession.
In order to feature conditions of that time the author of the article was an impoverished demoralized Georgian noble who murdered a person as a result of a wrangle over a pig and thus, stopped his “creative” carrier. Such Armenian plutocrats feed those people and exploit services of venal strangers including local and Russians living in the capital, as their intelligentsia does not have creative ability. (Pp. 87-88)
Something unimaginable was happening to Armenian press. For instance, I had been receiving excerpts of how “Ardzakan” newspaper teased all Russians. Even for gold it would not be possible to get an honest translator in Tiflis. Eventually, I had found such a person, sure not among the Armenians, who got for me a translation of a ticklish sermon given by his Holiness katalikos Mkrtich I and some other impudent confessions of so called Armenian “patriotism”. As soon as I published this material there was a howl set up not only by the Armenians but the censorship as well. The censorship claimed incorrectness of the translation and tried to generally protect the newspaper “Ardzakan”. (pp. 89-90)
Vulgarity of mind, immorality, dandyism, gluttony and dirty tricks are ardent measures used in the Armenian politics. This is a whole complicated system, combined with blackmail, which brings shame on Russian dignity.
Useless to talk about those conditions which seized municipal economy, especially the one in Tiflis.
Even though the Armenians make only 40% out of total population in the city they completely govern in city’s Duma (council). The Georgians, Russian and Muslims do not have access there… The Armenian leaders boldly brag that they will hound all Russians out of this land. By the way, if a Russian is just a commoner then they would rather add to his name such term as a “dog”… (pp. 91-92)
(To be continued)
The next address of the occupation – Fizuli and Gubadli
In the year 1993, 6 districts of Azerbaijan were occupied by the Armenian armed gangs: Kelbajar, Aghdam, Jabrail, Fizuli, Gubadli and Zangilan. The later three were occupied in August of the same year.
Fizuli is one of the biggest agricultural districts of the Republic. Its territory makes 1154 square kilometers, population by the time of the occupation made around 90 thousand people, 88% of which became displaced after the Armenian intervention.
There were several industrial and construction enterprises and quarry operating in the district. Fizuli farmers worked in soil tilling, viticulture, cattle breeding, silkworm breeding and cotton-growing.
Fertile and beautiful nature of Fizuli district were rich with historical monuments as well. The unique caravansary (oriental guest-house) built in 1684 is located at Gargabazar locality, Haji Giyasaddin mausoleum and mosque built in 1682, Ahmedalilar, Babids and Mirali mausoleums, Azykh and Taglah caves are located in the district.
As a result of the 25th August Armenian occupation we have lost 77 inhabited localities including one town and town-type settlement, 15.213 houses, 33 industrial and construction enterprises, 786 service establishments, 117 schools, 43 health centers as well as central district, children’s and ophthalmology hospitals, 166 cultural centers. 87.600 Fizuli’s displaced people have been settled in 61 inhabited localities throughout the Republic.
Gubadli district with territory making 802 square kilometers and partially bordering with Armenia was occupied by the Armenian gangs on 31 August 1993. 30.500 people lived in the district center Gubadli town and 94 inhabited localities of the district. The population of the district, which was covered with mountain woods and has two rivers Hakeri and Bazarchay was mainly occupied in cattle breeding, soil tilling, silkworm breeding, viticulture and tobacco growing.
Besides agricultural enterprises, the district had 2 plants of wine preprocessing, asphalt plant, quarry, marble shop. There were 62 establishments and organizations. Prior to occupation 51 secondary, 1 full and part time schools as well as 1 professional, 2 music, 7 infant schools were located in the district. 111 cultural-educational, 125 shopping, 95 social, 21 communication centers, including 8 telephone stations, 4 hospitals, 5 dispensaries, 54 medical obstetric centers, 4 pharmacies were available in the district.
Gubadli museum of local lore had 5.000 exhibits in its collection. “Gyaur darasi” temple dated the 4th century, “Galali” and “Keygala” monuments dated the 5th century, “Demirchilar” mausoleum built in the 16th century, Haji Bedal and Lalezar bridges, historical monuments of Ain, Yusifbeyli, Seytas, Garadaghli and Hojamsagli villages are all located in the territory of the district.
At the present the population of this occupied district is settled in 47 cities and localities of the Republic.
It has recently