"EU Reporter" wrote about Black January
Brussels, January 22 (AZERTAG). The influential European analytical portal EU-Reporter published an article on Black January, commonly known as the day of introduction of Soviet troops to Baku on January 20, 1990 (see http://www.eureporter.co/2013/1/azerbijan-black-janu/#.UPxYrgLEYJc.gmail).
"Today the Azerbaijani community of Belgium commemorates 'Black January' - the tragedy that took place back in 1990, when the Soviet troops led by general Lebed stormed Baku under the direct orders of Mikhail Gorbachev in attempt to regain control over the city turning away from Communist rule. Agonising Soviet regime acted with disproportionate violence leaving behind more than hundred slain and about six hundred wounded civilians, including women and children", says the article.
The cruelty of the assault done in the name of protection of Armenian and Russian population incited aversive reactions definitely turning the Azerbaijan population from Soviet rule.
The article quotes Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the EU, Fuad Isgandarov, saying: "It was a crackdown of an illusion, because at that moment we still felt citizens of the USSR. It was a shock in aftermath to realize that Gorvachev signed this order. We started a criminal procedure against him. If he comes to Azerbaijan he will be arrested immediately on grounds of crimes against humanity. We don’t share with the West a vision on Gorvachev's legacy, and for different reasons as many of Russian Communists, who blame him the collapse of the USSR. He is the major responsible for the bloodshed and crackdown of the 20th of January. On many occasion we requested the withdrawing of the Peace Nobel prize from him".
EU-Reporter reminds that the number of reputable organizations, such as 'Human Rights Watch', 'Helsinki Group' and 'Memorial', concluded that the were no grounds for excessive use of force neither for massive violations of human rights. The tragedy made considerable impact on public opinion in the USSR and abroad forcing the military to change their actions towards civilians in further process of dismantling of the Soviet Union.
At the commemoration event took part Mr. Khazar Ibrahim - Head of the Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the NATO, Mr. Musa Punhan - representative of the BeNeLux Azerbaijanis Society,Mrs. Ilaha Rafaelgizi - from Belgium Azerbaijanis Society, Mr. Rashad Khasayoglu - Head of the Belgium Azerbaijanis Society.
Vugar Seidov
Brussels
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