LIBERATION OF OUR LANDS FROM ARMENIAN OCCUPATION WILL BECOME THE GREATEST TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF ETERNAL COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HEYDAR ALIYEV AND JANUARY 20 SHAHIDS

DEFENSE MINISTER RESOLUTELY STATES ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL IS READY FOR THIS MISSION

A ceremony dedicated to the 14th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy was held on January 17 at the Central Officers House named after General Azi Aslanov. As the fates decree, the anniversary of January 20 1990 events clashed with the 40th day after demise of the great son of our people, wise statesman and architect of the Armed Forces and founder of the independent Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev.

The memories of January 20 shahids who gave their lives for territorial integrity of our republic and statehood, and our President, eternal Commander-in-Chief Hydar Aliyev were honored with minute of silence.

Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan General-Colonel Safar Abiyev addressed the ceremony participants. He noted that it had become possible to give political assessment to the January 20 tragedy exactly after Heydar Aliyev returned to power in Azerbaijan.

The Minister reminded that the ruthless operation under the code name “Strike” prepared by the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs and KGB of the former USSR, on the night of January 19-20, 1990, killed 134 including more that 20 children and women, and wounded over 800. In addition, former soviet leadership involved our people in war with Armenia, which brought terrorism and separatism to the level of state policy, and conditioned the occupation of 20% of our lands.

The Minister also pointed out the great progress achieved in National Army building under the leadership of the wise political figure Heydar Aliyev, dwelt on measures undertaken within the framework of the NATO “Partnership for Peace Program”, links established with armed forces of other countries, and stressed that “today, our peacemakers are involved in operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.”

General-Colonel S. Abiyev especially emphasized that liberation of our lands from the Armenian occupation will become the greatest tribute to the memory of the eternal Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces and the January 20 shahids.

The Minister assured President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev that our soldiers are ready for this mission at any moment.

In conclusion of the ceremony, a play staged on the base of the poem-requiem by Abdulla Gurbani “Eternal Fire.”