Armenpress News Agency , Armenia December 21, 2017 Thursday Armenian Genocide is historical fact destroying identity structure of Turkish society – Taner Akcam YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish authorities are obliged to face their own history if they want to establish a democratic and human rights respecting system. Without facing the history public peace and democratic system are impossible to establish, Turkish historian Taner Akcam, who recognized the Armenian Genocide, says in his new article in T24.com, reports Armenpress. In the article titled ‘Obligation to face history and barriers for it’, the historian says at present it is an authoritarian and dictatorial regime in Turkey, fundamental human rights and freedoms, and especially the freedom of thought are being violated. “Hundreds of intellectuals, writers, journalists are jailed, the main democratic structures and laws do not operate, the judiciary is completely under the control of one person, the principle of the rule of law has been eliminated. The ethnic-religious issues, in particular, the Kurdish issue, the issues of Alevi, Christian and Jewish minorities are in poor situation”, the historian writes. He highlighted four means reasons to face the history. “The first one is that if you want to have a democratic regime respecting the human rights, you have to face the human rights violations committed during the history. If you are unable to face the violations of the past, today you will not be able to establish a society that will respect the human rights. You will build the future the way you look at the past. If you discuss the issues existing in the history, stating that “Armenians betrayed”, “Greeks deserved it”, “Kurds play an imperialists game”, “Those are traitors who want to divide the country and are a serious threat to our country”, now as well such issues will be perceived from this perspective. As you previously violated the fundamental rights, you will do the same today”, Akcam said. As a second reason the historian stated that the societies, who had bad and painful relations within the course of the history, will be able to live jointly only in case of talking to each other. According to the third reason, it’s necessary to return the human dignity of people killed in the past. And finally, as a fourth reason the Turkish historian mentions that refusal from facing the history can lead to bad consequences. Denial of facing the history means to have a potential to repeat the same crime. Talking about the Armenian Genocide, Taner Akcam writes: “We have established a nation-state in 1923 and created an identity in accordance with it. And today this identity turned into a reality determining our thinking, feelings, in other words, the whole social-cultural relations of the society. But if we, for example, start talking about the Armenian Genocide, we will see how this reality begins to collapse. The Armenian Genocide is a historical fact totally destroying the identity structure of the Turkish society. This is the reason that we avoid facing the history”.
Author: Albert Nalbandian
Why US and Russia Should Support the EU-Armenia Agreement
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian (left) and EU Federica Mogherini sign the EU-Armenia agreement in Brussels on Nov. 24
BY K.M. GREG SARKISSIAN
The European Union and Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on November 24, 2017, in the presence of high representatives of both parties.
The US and Russia should support this agreement because Armenia lies along the geopolitical fault lines of two civilizations: the East and the West, Europe and Asia, Christendom and Islam. This agreement enhances the neutrality of Armenia and the security in the region.
The EU will be supporting democratic reforms in governance, the rule of law, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, the independence of the judiciary, and the development of public and social institutions in Armenia. CEPA also enables cooperation in the energy, transport, environment and trade sectors. It also promises improvements in banking, travel and business infrastructures along with investment opportunities and a healthier environment. CEPA does not include free trade arrangements as Armenia is a member of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The road to EU integration enjoys broad consensus among Armenians in the political arena and civil society. Armenia chose this path because it is public knowledge that its discontinuation in 2013 of its newly-minted association with EU was due to clear warnings from Moscow that its security guarantees by Russia would be withdrawn if it proceeded with the association agreement. In fact, Armenia was the first country that experienced strong backlash from Russia in response to its negotiations with EU due to the problems in Ukraine.
Armenia signed this agreement knowing well that it needs the establishment of active bilateral relations with as many countries as feasible to overcome the risk of isolation and garner guarantees for its national security. One presumes that Moscow has been kept informed all along that Yerevan will sign such an Agreement.
Russia holds the keys to Armenia’s security which was solidified by the November 2016 Agreement on the creation of Armenian-Russian Joint Military Forces. Russia also holds the key to the Karabakh issue and energy policies, given the Armenian-Russian gas agreement signed on December 2, 2013, substantially limited Armenia’s options to devise an independent energy policy. Thus, CEPA is a huge step for Armenia to regain space for sovereign decisions and credibility with the international community.
However, the Russian press, a highly centralized and censored media, reacted negatively to Armenia signing this Agreement. There is nothing in the Agreement that may pose any danger or create tension toward a third party. Armenia, with an improved social contact, a stronger and more independent judiciary and rule of law, fairer business conditions, and modern regulatory frameworks will be a catalyst between the two economic unions. Russian officials such as the Ambassador to Armenia agree with Mr. Zheleznak, a Russian politician of a ruling party who “…supports developing relations and cooperation with others on an open basis and in this context, Armenia is furthering its ties with both Russia and European Union…Wise and balanced policies being implemented in Armenia, that will allow for the greatest use of developmental potential that exists in Armenia.”
If this agreement, which includes duties, obligations and commitments succeeds, it will create opportunities to improve the quality of relations between the East and West. The countries within EAEU, lead by Russia, would equally benefit if Armenia becomes a bridge between the EU and EAEU countries, in trade and development, as this agreement is a test case for co-existence between EU and EAEU.
Similarly, the benefit to the West is best described by Dan Coats, Chief of US National Intelligence, who states: “The main mediators of OSCE-Minsk Group, do not want the resumption of large scale military operation, as this does not meet national, regional and international interests.” The European Union has huge economic interests in Azerbaijan, invested heavily in the country’s energy sector, fears that war between Azerbaijan and Armenia can lead to disruption of supply of oil bypassing Russia. US on the other hand, uses Georgia to pursue its interest in Transcaucasia. The more peace in the region, the more chance that Georgia may become a member of NATO.
The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the most destabilizing factors in the Caucasus involving regional and international powers. The April 2016 Azerbaijani attempt to break through Armenian defense lines had no effect on the situation as a whole. The present stage of the negotiation process has reached deadlock, politically and militarily. Politically, the conflict is not resolved because the positions of the parties are irreconcilable. War, on the other hand, is unacceptable to the political forces and interests of both regional and international powers. All parties know that the outcome of war is by no means certain. It will involve a huge number of victims and damage to civilian structures.
While Azerbaijan showed the world that it is willing to take the risk of resolving the conflict by military means in April 2016, it too needs peace in the region, despite its belligerent language in its relations with Armenia.
Armenia’s external foreign policy is carried out by establishing active, bilateral relationships with as many countries as feasible, and multilaterally, through participation in international organizations such as the EU and EAEU. Both these approaches are critical for Armenia to earn a measure of respectability in the international system.
The signing of the CEPA is a milestone for Armenia as it represents a compromise between the old Association Agreement of Europe and Armenia’s new commitment to a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. The US and Russia should support the EU-Armenia Agreement (CEPA), invest in Armenia and help it to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully. A prosperous, neutral Armenia, defusing the fault line of tensions and the clash of civilizations, will be a critical component of peace and development in the region and the world.
K.M. Greg Sarkissian is the president of the Zoryan Institute
Rice samples are sent to testing based on the citizen’s complaint
The State Service for Food Safety of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia has taken state control measures on the basis of the complaint filed by Narine Kirakosyan. Her concern was about the rude smell of rice and the dark spots seen in the pamela.
SFSA employees visited the “Nush” sales point at Tigran Petrosyan 11/2, Davitashen district sent the sample of its rice to the laboratory for examination.
At the same time, the Service has also conducted monitoring in the importing organization “Armen-Hamik” LLC. 130 kilograms of rice was found in the store, from which a sample was sent to the laboratory for examination. This batch is also suspended until the results are clear.
A sample of plamellos sold at the Yerevan City supermarket at 25/5 of the same street has been sent for laboratory, too. The results will be published.
Azerbaijani Press: Ambassador: "Reports on possible resumption of air communication between Turkey and Armenia are not true"
APA, Azerbaijan
Nov 30 2017
The reports on the possible resumption of air communication between Turkey and Armenia are untrue, said Ercan Ozoral, the Turkish Ambassador to Baku, APA reports.
According to the ambassador, he spoke on this issue with the head of the airline: "He said he did not make such a statement. These messages are wrong, they are not true. "
Note that Turkish Anadolu agency referring to the head of the Turkish Airlines airline Ilker Ajdi, on November 24 stated about the possible resumption of direct air communication between Turkey and Armenia.
Ryan Boatright is forgiven
Armenian basketball team arrived in Tirana, Albania, where it will meet with the Albania’s national team on November 23.
As the Armenian Basketball Federation’s Facebook page informs, our team went to the competition with 12 players.
By the way, the head coach of the team has explained how Ryan Boatright, who was dismissed from the team for nonviolent behavior, went with them to Albania. “Me and the federation leadership have decided that in such a situation it is impossible to stay in the team, however, the player had a long talk with me yesterday. He really regretted for his act, apologized to the whole team and asked to give him another chance in order to play in the team.
The coaching staff and the federation leadership decided to him again in the team, and the basketball player promised not to repeat that kind of thing.”
Entertainment: "Armenia: Vineyards of Noah" doc airs on French TV
Pan Armenian, Armenia
Nov 18 2017
– 13:06 AMT
"Armenia: Vineyards of Noah" doc airs on French TV
Eddy Vicken's documentary "Armenia: Vineyards of Noah" aired on Arte TV's Invitation to Travel program in France on Friday, November 17.
"The crossroad of civilizations and the first country to adopt Christianity, Armenia is home to the oldest winemaking tradition in the world," the film said.
"It was here, on the peaks of Mount Ararat in ancient western Armenia (now in Turkey) that Noah planted the first vineyards after the flood."
ANCA-WR Launches HyeCitizen Free Bilingual Civics Training
ANCA-WR’s HyeCitizen Campaign
LOS ANGELES—True to its mission to empower Armenian American communities, the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region has launched HyeCitizen – a bilingual training video for the United States Citizenship Civics Test designed specifically for native Armenian speakers.
“HyeCitizen – the latest tangible example of our commitment to our community’s diverse civic needs – enables thousands of qualifying Armenian American permanent residents across the United States to learn US civics and pass the Citizenship test amid ongoing federal uncertainties over immigrant rights,” remarked ANCA-WR chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq.
“Our grassroots outreach across the region has identified the urgent need to assist Armenian Americans in preparing for the Civics portion of the USA citizenship test, since many permanent citizens delay or even forego applying for naturalization, in part, due to the lack of accessible training programs. According to the University of Southern California, the naturalization rate among local Armenian-speaking legal permanent residents has been 84%, much higher than the lowest of 55% among Spanish speakers yet below the highest rate of 91% among Vietnamese speakers. Among Eastern Armenian-speaking residents born in the Republic of Armenia, the naturalization rate is even lower – 80%,” continued Hovsepian.
“Green card holders who fail to apply for US citizenship not only risk losing their legal status, even under such commonplace circumstances as undertaking prolonged overseas trips, they also miss out on unique opportunities to become policy influencers as voting constituents. The political climate over immigration makes the need to naturalize at the earliest available opportunity even more critical, which is why we are pleased to have created a widely-accessible training program to help native Armenian speakers to learn US civics,” continued Hovsepian.
Produced by ANCA-WR’s Denver-based Community Development Coordinator and Political Scientist Simon Maghakyan, with narration, production, and translation assistance from ANCA-Colorado volunteers Susanna Avagyan, Angela Ginosyan, George Cole, and Hasmik Kachaturian, HyeCitizen is a 50-minute-long bilingual video training for native Armenian speakers for the Civics Test required for US naturalization. The training covers all 100 questions issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Service, including 57 questions about principles of American democracy, system of government, and rights and responsibilities, 30 questions covering topics from the colonial period to the past few decades, and 13 questions about geography, holidays, and national symbols. The training has built-in bilingual closed-caption, as well as pronunciation tips, making it accessible to individuals with hearing impairment.
HyeCitizen is in both English and Eastern Armenian, which enables native Armenian speakers, especially those born in the countries of Armenia, Artsakh, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia and the rest of the former Soviet Union, to not only learn the US Citizenship Civics Test by memorizing the questions and answers in English but also by understanding the concepts and contexts. Additionally, HyeCitizen enriches the training with background information, including maps and original documents, to further contextualize many of the civics test questions and explain their historical meanings. Notably, the program explains the USA’s unique Electoral College, even though the test itself has no direct questions about this complex yet vital institution of American democracy. For current public official, state and district specific questions that are subject to change due to elections or appointments, HyeCitizen references reliable weblinks for finding out accurate, up-to-date answers.
Native Armenian speakers who are applying for US citizenship can access ANCA-WR’s free HyeCitizen bilingual training program for the US Citizenship Civics Test on www.ancawr.org/hyecitizen.
The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.
Film Review: ‘Intent to Destroy: Death, Denial & Depiction’
Variety Magazine
Nov 10 2017
Perhaps the surest proof of Winston Churchill’s theorem that “history is written by the victors” comes from none other than Adolf Hitler: “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” the German Fuhrer said by way of a chilling corollary, effectively paving the way for the most insidious ethnic cleansing of the modern era. Between 1915 and 1918, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians living in Ottoman Turkey had been rounded up and either marched to their deaths or murdered outright.
But “history” — as in the public study of past events, and the way they are positioned and discussed by society at large — has been ambiguous about the Armenian Genocide. Even that label is a point of contention among contemporary Turks, who resist the “G word” (coined in 1944 by Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin to describe Germany’s systematic murder of Jewish citizens) as a legal definition that, they say, should not retroactively apply to conflicts in their own past — conflicts which time has given those now in power plenty of time to obscure, re-write or otherwise justify.
Several years ago, Berlinger was approached by a wealthy Armenian producer about making a straightforward nonfiction film about the genocide, which he declined. But a few months later, after getting wind that a massive, Kirk Kerkorian-backed feature film called “The Promise” was underway, a light went off: Berlinger pitched the idea of “embedding” himself with the production — a first-of-its-kind, blockbuster-scale independent film about the Armenian Genocide, conceived as “Doctor Zhivago” set against the horrific backdrop of Turkish atrocity.
Except “The Promise” never lived up to its promise. While well cast (with the likes of Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale) and respectably overseen by “Hotel Rwanda” helmer Terry George, the film muddies its history with melodrama, earning back just $8.2 million of its estimated $90 million budget. That meant Berlinger’s film — which plays like a glossy DVD extra at times — had a problem. As a broader look at the Armenian Genocide, it has the classiest recreation footage imaginable (clips from “The Promise,” paired with voiceover from a pre-production table read); but as a vérité record of a landmark film production … well, “The Promise” was a bust. And bizarrely enough, Berlinger ignores most of what might be interesting.
Why did George, Isaac and Bale agree to make the film? Were they personally invested in the subject, or was this just an opportunistic paycheck for them? And considering the enormous pushback anything that remotely touches on the Armenian Genocide receives from all fronts, where is the Turkish pushback on “The Promise”? (I speak from experience, since no subject generates more hate mail and threats — a lesson I learned when reviewing the documentary “Screamers” about Armenian band System of a Down during my first days at Variety.
In addition to reminding that the plight of persecuted Armenians was one of America’s top causes in the first quarter of the 20th century, Berlinger reveals through telegrams and evidence how Robert P. Skinner, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, succeeded in pressuring MGM (via the State Department) into scrapping an adaptation of “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh” in 1935 (the same battle inspired the climax of “The Promise”). But the closest anyone in “Intent to Destroy” comes to suggesting similar obstacles is when a crew member claims that no one even considered shooting the film in Turkey — whereas revisionist counter-salvo “The Ottoman Lieutenant,” starring Josh Hartnett (a 2017 release never mentioned here), took full advantage of Turkish locations.
Still, there are hints of conflict (check the IMDb page for “The Promise,” and you can see how an organized group of Turks has succeeded in sabotaging the movie’s user score), reflected in a paranoid on-set interview with actor Daniel Giménez Cacho, who reveals how the Turkish ambassador supplied him with a book called “Turks and Armenians” by controversial historian — and vocal genocide refuter — Justin McCarthy, whom Berlinger invites to share his position in the film. However “balanced” that decision may seem, the trouble with giving airtime to denialists is that it introduces doubt into the discussion of world events, suggesting that there can be “two sides” to any issue — which in this case, typically comes with a “they started it”-style justification, in which Armenian Christians are accused of conspiring with Russians and acting like terrorists against Turkish Muslims, effectively necessitating their own exile and extermination. (Trust me, the Turkish “side” is adequately represented elsewhere, taught as history and publicly reinforced by the country’s political advantage on the world stage, strong-arming even U.S. presidents and ambassadors into submission — including former diplomat John Marshall Evans, who was reprimanded and forced to make a public retraction after publicly using the word “genocide,” but allowed to speak his mind freely here.)
Whereas the documentary material related to “The Promise” looks good, but adds little (apart from a congratulatory behind-the-scenes souvenir for all involved in the production), interviews with director Atom Egoyan paint a different picture about the making of his 2002 film “Ararat.” In the film’s most eloquent interview, Egoyan candidly explains how Turkish activists attempted to intimidate him into abandoning the project. Like “The Promise,” “Ararat” also would have been more powerful if only it were a better film, although it shares Berlinger’s interest in the challenges, borth artistic and political, in depicting such an event.
Azerbaijani press: Tbilisi hosts 1st General Assembly of Armenia-Azerbaijan Civil Peace Platform
By Azernews
By Rashid Shirinov
Today, it is very important for people of Azerbaijan and Armenia, apart from the leaderships of the two countries, to join their efforts to accelerate the early settlement of the long standing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In this connection, the First General Assembly of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Civil Peace Platform was held in Tbilisi on October 30.
During the Assembly, its participants appealed to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.
The issue on the agenda was the establishment of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Civil Peace Platform on the basis of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Platform and adoption of its Charter.
Based on the Charter, the decisions were made regarding the number of the members of the Steering Committee and the Central Control-Inspection Commission of the Civil Peace Platform, as well as their representation principles and members.
The Congress decided to create the Steering Committee of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Civil Peace Platform from the representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group states mediating in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between the two countries.
Thus, the proportion of members of the Steering Committee consisting of 19 members is determined as follows: five from Azerbaijan and Armenia each and nine from each of the other Minsk Group participating countries.
At the end, the Final Decision and Statement of the General Assembly were adopted. The Assembly decided to open offices of the Platform in Tbilisi, Yerevan and Baku and hold public meetings in Azerbaijan and Armenia.
After the General Assembly was closed, the new Steering Committee held its first meeting.
At the meeting, in accordance with the Charter of the Platform, the co-chairing institute was established and Rovshan Rzayev from Azerbaijan and Rafael Isakhanyan from Armenia were elected as the co-chairs of the Steering Committee for one year.
Then the Steering Committee presented for discussions a list of the Experts Council of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Civil Peace Platform. Following the voting, the Expert Council consisting of 29 people was approved.
The decisive process of bringing together the people of Azerbaijan and Armenia on boosting the settlement of the conflict started in December 2016, when the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Platform was founded in Baku by a group of Azerbaijani and Armenian public figures and peacekeepers. It was created to bring together representatives of civil society of the two countries for creating dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the sides to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
However, this initiative was negatively perceived by the Armenian government, which started persecution of those Armenians who joined the Platform.
Despite this, many people from both Azerbaijan and Armenia and other countries continue to join the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Platform, created to accelerate the process of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the people's diplomacy, and this initiative, of course, should be continued, in order to bring the desired peace to the region.
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Azerbaijani press: Definitive biography of Heydar Aliyev launched in UK Parliament
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On 31 October, the definitive English-language biography of Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev received its international launch at the UK Parliament, during a standing-room only event hosted by Bob Blackman MP, who is also Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Azerbaijan.
The event was organised by The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS). TEAS Press has published the new biography, and attendees included Lord Kilclooney, Lord Addington, Mark Pawsey MP and Martin Vickers MP, TEAS told APA.
This triple-volume biography of the National Leader charts each epoch of his life. The author is Elmira Akhundova MP, who was a journalist from 1990–2003. She experienced first-hand the early years of regained Azerbaijani independence, and witnessed the period spanning the return of the National Leader from a pivotal role in the Soviet Politburo to successful leadership of independent Azerbaijan, despite a period of great turmoil. As a member of the press entourage close to the President, Mrs Akhundova was perfectly placed to observe his every political move and interviewed him on myriad occasions. Many attendees at the launch were delighted to receive copies of the biography, personally inscribed by the author.
Altogether, Mrs Akhundova worked on the book for 14 years, obtaining access to myriad hitherto unpublished documents and undertaking 350 interviews with family, friends and colleagues – some of which revealed their recollections for the first time.
Jack Pegoraro, Head, TEAS London, welcomed all attendees and speakers before handing the microphone to Bob Blackman MP, who commented: “Much of the development of Baku and Azerbaijan, as a whole, is attributable to the work of Heydar Aliyev. He took the country from being a dull former Soviet Republic through to being a country that is fully independent, where wealth is spread out amongst the population and everyone is gaining.
“Due to his policies, UK–Azerbaijani relations have become increasingly strong, predominantly due to his work in developing the Contract of the Century between the BP-led Azerbaijan International Operating Consortium (AIOC) that led to the development of oil and gas extraction which has resulted in a high level of prosperity for his nation. This is a wonderful biography and clearly a great work from an author who was close to her subject – Heydar Aliyev – who was a good friend of the UK.
“I have visited Azerbaijan on four occasions, and have witnessed the dramatic progress of the country first-hand. I have also seen the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are the ongoing victims of the illegal occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven surrounding regions. I have also seen the work undertaken by the Azerbaijani government to ensure they have basic quality living conditions.”
H.E. Tahir Taghizadeh, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK, recalled: “Every time we celebrate the legacy of Heydar Aliyev, we must remember that we have a country that is a) stable, b) independent c) a reliable partner for other countries – including the UK. If we go back over 20 years, we would see a country that was being torn apart by various warlords, still coping with foreign troops on its territory, and importing almost everything – including gas.
“We now have a country that provides, rather than receives, foreign aid. Despite the oil crisis, our GDP has continued to increase. The only aspect that has not been resolved is the continuing Armenian occupation of nearly 20 per cent of Azerbaijani territory.
“Heydar Aliyev was not just a larger than life personality – but a sweet and caring man. His attention to detail rescued the country on more than one occasion. I thank Mrs Akhundova for her remarkable work.”
Dr Tamara Dragadze, former advisor to BP, who witnessed the Contract of the Century signing, remembered his amazing recall and focus, which were combined with an iron will that was demonstrated many times in the face of adversity. He had something else, and is undeniably worthy of such a remarkable biography.”
Mrs Akhundova commented: “No-one in the world could have assumed that the former communist leader of Azerbaijan, one of the leaders of the powerful Soviet empire, would soon surprise the whole Republic, and then the whole world, rising from the ashes like a phoenix.
“What was the mystery of this man? How, contrary to accepted wisdom, did he manage to successfully step in the same river twice? I think the answer lies in the words of the great British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, who famously said: ‘The only way a man can remain consistent amidst changing circumstances is to change with them, while preserving the same dominating purpose.’ Heydar Aliyev could change according to time and situation, and organically did so. His overarching dedication was to the national interest of his motherland – his beloved Azerbaijan.
“Heydar Aliyev lived a very hard life. He was to see the collapse of ideals in which he believed passionately, and survived the disintegration of a country that he had served faithfully. He got to step into a whole new era and begin life from scratch, ascending a second time to the summit of a political Olympus. But that would happen in a different country and different epoch.”
Music was dear to the heart of the National Leader, who was an amateur khanende (mugham singer), and thus it was most apt that a musical interlude was provided by the legendary septuagenarian tar player Rafiq Rustamov, Honoured Art Worker of the Azerbaijani Republic. Rafiq won his first competition in 1969, the year Heydar Aliyev was appointed as leader of Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR), and his career developed contemporaneously with that of the National Leader.
The event concluded with a lively question-and-answer session, covering such topics as the problems of extrapolating facts for incorporation in a biography; the background to the transition of power between Presidents Abulfaz Elchibey and Heydar Aliyev; and the difficulties of adequately representing such a man whose policies and personalities had an irrevocable impact on his country.
http://en.apa.az/azerbaijani-news/social-news/definitive-biography-of-heydar-aliyev-launched-in-uk-parliament.html