Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
March 12 2005

SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN, SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF
THE ARMED FORCES ILHAM ALIYEV ON THE SOLEMN CEREMONY DEVOTED TO 13TH
ANNIVERSARY OF CREATION OF INTERNAL TROOPS OF THE MINISTRY OF
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
[March 12, 2005, 22:22:03]

Dear soldiers and officers!

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of 13th anniversary of
creation of the Internal Troops, and I wish each of you success.

After restoration of state independence, in Azerbaijan there had been
created Internal Troops. It was the extremely difficult period for
our country. The first years of our independence were accompanied in
Azerbaijan by anarchy and chaos. The country, it is possible to tell,
was on the verge of partition, and because of crisis experienced in
Azerbaijan, our country appeared at edge of precipice. In such
difficult conditions Internal Troops, certainly, could not perform
its functions in full sense. At the same time, the staff of Internal
Troops bravely battled for territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, has
done huge work on protection of our grounds, many lost their lives
and became shehids. Those years the future of Azerbaijan was
determined, and its destiny was solved. Each citizen was disturbed,
questions on set thinking on what way Azerbaijan can develop,
stability will be established in Azerbaijan whether or not. After the
Azerbaijan people extremely due to its wisdom and foresight has
addressed to the national leader and has invited him to Azerbaijan,
after arrival of the leader of our people Heydar Aliyev to authority,
the situation has completely changed. The anarchy and chaos has been
put an end, bitter consequences of the experienced crisis gradually
began to be eliminated. Despite of all these difficulties, Azerbaijan
has taken a way of development. The ceasefire regime that has allowed
Azerbaijan to achieve all-around development of the potential has
been established. The ceasefire regime operates till now.

As you know, we are now negotiating on settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I think, that positive
tendencies in negotiations amplify, and these negotiations can
proceed extremely within the framework of restoration of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We aspire to settlement of the
mentioned conflict on the basis of principles of international law,
and I am confident, that we shall achieve it. Azerbaijan should
restore and will restore its territorial integrity. We want to solve
this question peacefully, by negotiations. But it is not a secret
that we must necessarily be ready and we are ready to all other
variants, in this direction also was done huge work.

Last years, huge work has been done in the field of army
construction. Material base of army was strengthened, and the
necessary new techniques and equipment were got. In the process of
strengthening of economic potential of Azerbaijan, naturally, our
military potential should become stronger. Not casually, the volume
of the charges, allocated for troops in the budget of 2005, is
increased approximately by 40 percent. We also shall carry out
henceforth it. Azerbaijan should liberate the native lands. We shall
never reconcile with loss of our lands and by all means we shall
liberate our native lands

After establishment of the ceasefire regime, new horizons and new
prospects have opened for Azerbaijan. Our country began to develop
promptly. Carried out by the leader of our people Heydar Aliyev, the
political-economical reforms have provided to our country all-round
development. Today, both the political authority of Azerbaijan on
region, and internal economic potential has transformed our country
into the leader of region. I think that all positive tendencies
should continue successfully, Azerbaijan should achieve further
strengthening of the power, strengthening of the potential.

All the work done for last years, has allowed developing our country
in high level. Today, our task consists in rise the international
authority of our country, on more courageous, convincing statement,
protection of our position on the international organizations,
establishment on the region of closer fruitful relations with
friendly, neighboring countries and, certainly, strengthening of our
economic potential. Much has been done in this direction. The program
of economic development is successfully realized, and due to all this
work Azerbaijan becomes stronger and powerful state.

Now, are being carried out large-scale projects extremely important
for our country, our people, and also the whole region. The oil
pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan successfully is under construction. All
other power projects successfully implemented brings and will bring
to our country colossal benefit.

Not a secret that Azerbaijan, by virtue of the geo-politic position,
economic potential, natural resources, draws attention of many
foreign circles which direct here many questions or undertake such
attempts. We do not presume it. Azerbaijan is fully independent
state. Independence does not mean extremely state attributes.
Azerbaijan pursues completely independent policy. We carry out our
policy only for protection of national interests of Azerbaijan
people. We establish kind and sincere relations with all countries,
all organizations, and such policy will continue. But, first of all,
national interests of Azerbaijan should be protected in full sense.

Happiness of Azerbaijan is that thanks to policy of the national
leader of our people Heydar Aliyev, the country has got stronger both
economically, and politically that today allows us to carry out
independent policy in full sense. This policy will be carried out and
henceforth, and I am confident, that will result Azerbaijan in the
light future.

For protection and further development of all the achieved successes,
for even more scale accomplishments, political conditions in the
country should be stable. Where there is no stability, there is no
development. The main condition of any development is stability. Such
stability in Azerbaijan exists, and it is strong enough. The forces,
trying to break stability, I am confident, well understand, that will
receive worthy repulse. We do not presume, that political condition
in Azerbaijan has become aggravated, that stability has been broken,
and rights of citizens are broken. For us, protection of the rights
of each citizen is extremely important. The state has provided and
will provide henceforth safety of our citizens. In this sense, the
Internal Troops have very big tasks, which are successfully carried
out.

Last years, the Internal Troops in Azerbaijan have achieved quick
development, professionalism and patriotism are observed at the
highest level. It is extremely important achievement for us.
Protection and strengthening of political conditions in Azerbaijan
should become for all of us the main condition. Only in such
conditions, the country can successfully develop. All of us know,
that Azerbaijan will face fine and bright future. After putting into
operation of the oil pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan after Heydar
Aliyev, large currency means will act to Azerbaijan. It will open new
opportunities for all-around development of our country. It should
benefit to each citizen of Azerbaijan. Such opportunities have
appeared and will appear henceforth. In that case, the major
condition for us is internal stability, calmness. I do not doubt,
that this policy, the policy pursued for more than 10 years, it will
be carried out and henceforth. If before presidential elections
someone also doubted of it, now as it seems to me, for doubts and
anxieties are not present any bases.

The time past after presidential elections, has shown that between
people and authority there is deep trust. We feel this support, we
base on it. It is confident, that this unity represents extremely
great value for the future of Azerbaijan. In the countries, where
there is unity, the trust between people and authority, there is
success. There, where it is not present, there are big difficulties.
I think, that we shall successfully cope with all tasks. Anyway, the
time past after presidential elections, has shown, that any question
we put has found solution. There is no such question, which was not
solved, or the promise not fulfilled by us. All given promises were
fulfilled. We hold the given word, have gained trust of people and we
shall achieve its further strengthening.

Great value also represents the question of equipment of the Internal
Troops. In this direction, essential steps also were undertaken. I
can tell that all the requests from the Ministry of Internal Affairs
have received the positive answer. The most part of techniques, which
we today see here, is got for last year. We give to this great value.
Each sphere of Azerbaijan, in particular, military, should be
equipped with new technical equipment. Opportunities of Azerbaijan
extend. The financial position improves, and the basic purpose of our
economic policy consists in that in the country, there was a powerful
economic potential that we could solve all questions successfully. I
think, process of purchase of technical equipment will continue. We
can have new questions, and therefore, we shall carry out it.

Simultaneously, are being solved social problems of staff. The wages,
as a whole were increased, these tendencies in Azerbaijan have
amplified. Improvement of living conditions of our citizens is
priority for us, for the government. In Azerbaijan, there should not
remain poor people, jobless. With this purpose, it is stipulated
realization of the Program of Regional Development, which is
successfully put into practice. All other programs – the program of
poverty reduction and so forth are realized also. But for this
purpose, time is necessary. The number of people living in Azerbaijan
in conditions of poverty, is great enough, somewhere 40 percent. We
try to reduce and we shall reduce this number. This purpose is
pursued with increase twice of the minimal wages. It is necessary for
us to do the utmost that each citizen, each Azerbaijani lived well.
Anyway, we aspire to this. We carry out this work on the basis of the
thought over programs – Programs of Economic Development, the Program
of Regional Development and other social programs.

In Azerbaijan, it is necessary to strengthen combat against
criminality. Till now, in this direction, has been done great work,
and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has exposed criminals. Some
criminal groups were neutralized. Calmness prevailing today in the
country and social order testify that we can achieve successes in
this direction. In particular, the statistics shows, that Azerbaijan
is among the first among neighboring countries, republics of former
Soviet Union. At the same time, this combat is not up to the mark.
Here, there are big lacks, and it is necessary to do serious work on
their prompt elimination.

As you know, recently, on March 10, as a result of the national
safety of special operation carried out by the Ministry, a big
criminal group has been exposed, arrested, and the person taken in
hostages was released. I regret, that the leader of this criminal
group is the person, long years worked in the Ministry of Internal
Affairs, and a part of the criminals who have gathered around of him
are employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is the big
stain for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and it should wash off
this stain.

As you know, this criminal group within 10 years made various crimes
in Azerbaijan. It was engaged in kidnapping. They kidnapped and after
reception of the repayment released. Besides, they have made some
murders, which, unfortunately, within long years remained uncovered.
When there was last case connected to abduction of the person, I have
charged with this question to the Ministry of National Security,
investigation and inquiry was carried out in strict confidence. It is
possible to tell, for short time, approximately two weeks ago,
criminal group and all its heads and participants have been
established. Simply, for the lack of data on the location of the
person seized in hostages, I have not allowed to carry out operation
and have raised the question so, that safety of the person, first of
all, should be provided. On March 10, as a result of the operation
carried out with high professionalism, it is possible to tell, all
members of criminal group have been arrested, and the hostage was
released.

This is monstrous incident. It is gangster group which during long
years held in fear Azerbaijan, Baku, and we have exposed it. They
will answer under the law. The most awful consists that last hostage
was the woman. It is an act incompatible with any morals. Certainly,
this gangster group, its members will answer before the law for all
committed crimes. Each criminal and each person who has broken the
law should answer under the law. Leadership of the law should guide
all of us. People should know, that the state conducts ruthless
struggle against criminals. We cannot allow that criminal groups here
have appeared. We cannot allow that our citizens lived in fear.

I want to note once again, that our main task consists in that our
people lived in peace and calmness. As the President, I realize this
task and I do utmost for protection, preservation, strengthening of
stability. Therefore, yesterday I have given to Minister of Internal
Affairs strict instructions on carrying out of internal inquiry,
serious investigation and as soon as possible to remove available in
the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in this system lacks.

I want to note also, it is already obviously that the some people,
using the developed situation, are going to launch campaign against
Minister of Internal Affairs for maintenance of personal or political
interests. We do not admit it. As I have already told, the incident
is a big stain for all bodies. But it is necessary to know also, that
similar can take place and in other organizations. The happened
incident should not cross out all work done till now by the Ministry
of Internal Affairs. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has done
extremely important work in Azerbaijan. It has very important
functions. It is the structure on guard of the law in Azerbaijan, and
I highly estimate the work done in the past. At the same time, I
strictly charge to remove all lacks and inform on it the public. I
repeat, I shall not allow, that it has turned to campaign and that
someone, having taken advantage of it in personal or political ends,
slandered all body.

Dear soldiers and officers!

Azerbaijan will have bright future. Our country already feels its
force in region, and not only we, but also the public and the
international community see it. Also is available the diplomatic
successes achieved by Azerbaijan lately. The international
organizations have accepted a plenty of documents exposing Armenia:
last resolution adopted by the Council of Europe, the resolutions
adopted up to it by the United Nations Organization, the resolutions
adopted by the Organization of Islamic Conference. As a whole, we see
and we feel, that the international community supports our just
cause. For the first time, the European international organization
has recognized Armenia as a state – aggressor, has condemned the
policy of ethnic cleanings carried out by Armenia, having created
thus new, favorable circumstances for process of negotiations.

I repeat, that we do not want war. We know, that war is a
humanitarian disaster. At the same time, all should know, that we
should be ready and are ready to war. The big work in this direction
will be carried out and henceforth. The work done in the field of
army construction is a priority question in my activity, as
President. All our efforts, all forces should be directed on the
further strengthening of our army, increase of its professionalism,
equipment by the advanced technical equipment and maintenance of its
ability at any moment to release the native lands. We shall carry out
it and henceforth.

I do not doubt at all that this conflict, the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will find its solution. The policy of
Armenia is deprived of any prospect, a legal basis, and political
support. Simply, the Armenian Diaspora, patrons of Armenia in the
world, some hypocritical policies, circles, the organizations,
pursuing the policy of double standards, interfere with normalization
of conditions. But justice will triumph. Our cause is right. We did
not grasp another’s lands, did not carry out ethnic cleaning, and did
not break territorial integrity of other country. We demand what
belongs to us by the right. We do not claim for the lands of other
country. But also the land we shall concede to nobody. It should know
all. First of all, it is necessary to know by Armenia, it should
know, that the patience of Azerbaijan people is not boundless. I want
to repeat, that we shall participate during negotiations till last
moment if there are even 5 percent of hope for the peace settlement
of question. If we shall be convinced that hopes are not present, we
shall interrupt negotiations and we shall solve the problem in other
way. Let nobody doubts of it!

Dear soldiers!

Dear officers!

Once again I congratulate you on the occasion of the Day of Internal
Troops, I wish you health and successes.

Thanks.