OFFICIAL NEWS
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJANHIS EXCELLENCYMR. ILHAM ALIYEV
On behalf of the people of the United States, I wish to express our nation’s heartfelt sympathy on the passing of President Heydar Aliyev.
Heydar Aliyev was long a central figure in the South Caucasus. His personal efforts were key to building the friendship that the United States ad Azerbaijan now enjoy and to securing Azerbaijan’s independence. Under his leadership, the United States and Azerbaijan became partners in the war on terrorism, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. His determination in pursuing a just and lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh tragedy through peaceful negotiations was essential to maintaining peace and stability in the region. Likewise, his vision and efforts were crucially important to attracting large-scale foreign investment that has bolstered Azerbaijan’s economic growth. These achievements are bettering the lives of millions of Azerbaijanis and helping to carry a modernizing Azerbaijan into the twenty first century.
Your father has many friends in the United States. Our thoughts are with you, your family and the people of Azerbaijan.
Sincerely
George W. Bush