OPENING CEREMONY OF SECONDARY SCHOOL NAMED AFTER ZARIFA ALIYEVA IN BARDA
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV ATTENDED THE CEREMONY

Azertag
September 11, 2004

A solemn opening ceremony of the secondary school named after renowned
ophthalmologist, Academician Zarifa Aliyeva was held on September 11
in the city of Barda. President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev
attended the ceremony.

Tens of thousands of the Barda residents gathered near the school
building to meet the Head of State. They greeted President Ilham
Aliyev with warm cheers. A monument to Academician Zarifa Aliyeva
sculpted by Peopleâ^À^Ùs painter of Azerbaijan, Academician Omar
Eldarov had been erected in front of the school building. President
Ilham Aliyev unveiled the monument and laid flowers at its pedestal.

Opening remarks were made by Head of Barda Executive Power Elman
Allahverdiyev.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the ceremony as well.

Greeting the citizens of Barda, the Head of State congratulated them
on the occasion of the opening new school. I am especially happy
that the school build in the ancient Karabakh land bears the name of
outstanding scientist, good doctor, Zarifa Aliyeva, the spouse and
friend of our national leader Heydar Aliyev, and my mother, thank
you so much, he said.

The President noted as well that the newly built school meets
modern requirements, and expressed confidence that children would be
prived here with high-level education. Speaking of the development
of education in the country he mentioned that the budget spends 20%
on solving the problems of and develop this sphere. Over 4500 schools
will be equipped with modern computers and provided with the access
to the Internet that will become a revolution in our education as
compared with other countries of the region, the Head of State said..

Touching upon the socio-economic development of Azerbaijan, President
Ilham Aliyev noted that the state budget increases every year, and
its funds would be mainly spent on solving social problems. Our goal
is to provide better life for our citizens, and I donâ^À^Ùt doubt
we will reach the goal, he said.

The President also dwelt on the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh. He
emphasized that although a compromise may play an important role in
resolution of any problem, no compromise, however, is possible in
relation to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

We want the problem to be solved peacefully, we want peace, but we
must be ready to liberate our land by military way at any moment,
the Azerbaijani leader said.

In conclusion, President Ilham Aliyev once again congratulated the
Barda citizens on the school opening and wished them good health
and happiness.