ANALYTICS

16.01.2010 12:18

20 January – bloody but glorious chapter of our history

The Soviet empire was searching for the pretext to silence the ideas of freedom of Azerbaijan people, justify increasing Armenian aggression with special services making provocations. Under the pretext of the chaos and instable situation created by them, USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachov ordered to station Soviet troops in Baku, which was followed by terror, brutality and vandalism.
During bloody events 131 people were killed, over 1000 were injured. Gorbachov showed a real face of Soviet empire to the world. Developments of that night are one of the most glorious chapters of Azerbaijani history.
National Leader Heydar Aliyev was the first to express his opinion on the military invasion and terror committed against the people of Azerbaijan. He came to the Azerbaijani mission in Moscow, stating the tragedy contradicts legal and democratic state principles and exposed the real nature of the perestroika. He stated, “As to the development, which occurred in Azerbaijan, I consider them as contradicting the principles of legal state building, democracy, law and humanism”. At the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic gave a political assessment to those events on November 21, 1990. Being a deputy of the Supreme Council, Heydar Aliyev demanded to give a political assessment to that tragedy during the sessions. Unfortunately, then-leadership of Azerbaijan did not give a political assessment.
Only after national leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power, the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan made a special decision on tragic events in Baku on January 20.
To perpetuate our citizens who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our homeland, the national leader initiated creation of the memorial complex in Baku. To do this work rapidly, national leader took special actions. The Eternal fire monument is the worthy tribute to memory of sons and daughters died for the independence of our country.
20 January is not only the tragedy but also glorious chapter in the history of Azerbaijan. 20 January is the day, when we realized ourselves as the nation. This historical event shows to the world once again that people of Azerbaijan are heroic and is capable of overcome all difficulties to achieve independence.