ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF AZERBAIJAN ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY OVER FASCISM

AzerTag
[May 07, 2005, 17:34:45]

Dear country-fellows,

Esteemed war veterans,

This year, 60 years have elapsed since the victory over fascism in
the World War II. This war, for its scale, number of the involved
states and troops, for the caused material damage and human loss has
been the greatest and most terrible of the wars in the history of
mankind. The militarist forces claiming to rule the Earth, first of
all, the fascist Germany unleashed the WW II. Unleashed in September
1939, the war in short time has enveloped the entire Europe, then,
extending to other continents, has lasted six years. On 22 June 1941,
the fascist Germany attacked against the Soviet Union, of which,
Azerbaijan was a part at that time, and the sanguinary war known as
the Great Patriotic war commenced.

In the course of war, the aggressors have massacred millions of
people, erased cities and villages, destroyed production enterprises
and cultural monuments. Disastrous crimes of the fascists against
humanity could not but last long. As a result of joint efforts
of the anti-Hitler coalition formed during the war, in 1945, the
fascist Germany and its allies were defeated, and the Word War II
ended. Victory in this war was the triumph of the progressive forces
over the aggressors, of the civilization over barbarity, of humanism
over the inhuman ideology.

And the people of Azerbaijan have made its worthy contribution to
the victory over fascism. IN liberation of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova,
Belarus, the Baltic, as well as the Eastern European countries,
in success of the Resistance Movement in the Western Europe, our
compatriots have played important role. In 1941-1945s, 700 thousand
of our country-fellows were sent to forefront, and they courageously
fought against the cruel enemy. Half of them died at the battlefields.

Along with courage and heroism at the forefronts, the Azerbaijanis
also demonstrated unprecedented selflessness and in the back areas,
provided the fighting troops with fuel, arms, food and cloths. Unlike
the previous wars, the World War II was not the war of cavalry and
infantry, but, first of all, of motor-tanks, fighter-bombers, and
other battle machines. Without oil and oil products, the troops would
not be able to steer the techniques and overcome the enemy. During the
years of war, the Azerbaijani oilmen, despite all difficulties, have
demonstrated unprecedented fortitude and selflessness and provided the
armed forces with sufficient fuel. Today, every Azerbaijani is proud
that at that time 70 percent of the oil produced then in the Soviet
Union fell on share of Azerbaijan. In those years, the Azerbaijani
oilmen not only provide the forefront with oil, but also developed
new oil deposits, which later in the history of oil industry was
called as the “Second Baku”.

History of the WW II, too, shows that the policy and ideology basing on
force, aggression and occupation, hate for other peoples and enmity,
finally, doom to defeat and collapse. Our people, who witnessed the
hardships and deprivations of war, and nowadays facing its miseries,
are decisively against new sanguinary wars and conflicts. We have
been for over teen years stated our adherence of settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, which was unleashed as a result of the
Armenian territorial claims and military aggressions, peacefully
and by negotiations. And today, we use every chance given by the
international law and diplomacy for liberation of our lands from the
Armenian occupation.

The leadership of Azerbaijan believes in complete restoration of the
sovereign rights and territorial integrity of our country, trusts
in triumph of justice and truth. Our powerful National Army, active
attacks of the Azerbaijan diplomacy in all fronts and the growing
economic potential of our country ensure success in our fair cause.

On this day, we pay tribute and respect to memory of all our sons
and daughters who gave their lives in the name of achievement of
victory over fascism and victims in fights for territorial integrity
and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, let Allah rest their souls in peace. I
cordially congratulate the veterans of war who fought at the forefront,
and also those who demonstrated selflessness in rear, all citizens
of Azerbaijan on this significant event – the 60th Anniversary of
the Victory, I wish our nation peace, tranquility and welfare.

Ilham Aliyev,

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 6 May 2005