AZERBAIJANI EMBASSIES ABROAD COMMEMORATE 19th ANNIVERSAY OF BLACK JANUARY
January 20 (AZERTAC)Azerbaijan`s embassies across the world are arranging a series of events these days to commemorate the 19th anniversary of January 20 tragedy of 1990 when Soviet army invaded Baku killing and injuring hundreds of innocent and defenseless people.
In Romania, a commemorative event co-organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy and representative office of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation brought together members of the Azerbaijani community in the country, representatives of foreign embassies and international organizations functioning here, Romanian senates, and journalists.
Ambassador Eldar Hasanov made a speech at the event, condemning the leadership of the former Soviet Union which ordered the massacre. The Ambassador also stressed nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev`s role in making it possible to give a legal and political assessment to the bloody action.
The event also featured documentary Road Towards Democracy.
In Russia, the Azerbaijani Embassy hosted an event which was attended by members of diaspora, representatives of the diplomatic corps and journalists.
Ambassador Polad Bulbuloglu called the January 20 events “one of the most tragic days in Azerbaijan`s history”. The Ambassador praised President Ilham Aliyev`s role in bringing the realities behind the January 20 massacre and Azerbaijanis` genocide to the world community.
Following the event, its participants placed flowers and wreaths at a memorial plaque to the nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev at the embassy.
In Ukraine, a commemorative event was arranged by Azerbaijan`s Embassy in collaboration with the Congress of Azerbaijanis of Ukraine and Azerbaijan-Ukraine Friendship and Charitable Fund.
The event saw the launch of book “Realities behind the genocide of Azerbaijanis” by Head of the Azerbaijani President`s Administration, academician Ramiz Mehdiyev.
Ambassador Talat Aliyev gave an insight into the details of the Bloody January events.
In China, a commemorative event hosted by the Embassy saw attendance by diaspora representatives, Azeri business people and journalists.
Ambassador Yashar Aliyev made a speech at the event which was followed by a documentary on the Black January.
In Turkmenistan, the Azerbaijani Embassy lowered the state flag to pay tribute to the January 20 victims, and hosted a commemorative event.
Ambassador Elkhan Huseynov hailed President Ilham Aliyev`s keeping problems of shahid families in focus of attention.
In Iran, foreign ambassadors and heads of international organizations functioning in Tehran and members of the Iranian public came together at the Azeri Embassy for a commemorative event which featured a photo exhibition and documentary about the history of the Bloody January tragedy.
Ambassador Abbasali Hasanov gave an insight into the history of the bloody massacre. He said “the people of Azerbaijan will always honor the blessed memory of brave sons and daughters of the country who gave their lives for its independence”.
In Hungary, Azerbaijan`s Embassy arranged a commemorative event which brought together MPs and state and government officials of Hungary, representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations, members of the Azerbaijani diaspora and journalists.
Ambassador Hasan Hasanov made a speech at the event which featured a photo exhibition and documentary films on the January 20 tragedy.
In the USA, Azerbaijan`s Embassy in Washington in collaboration with Azerbaijan Trade and Culture Center will arrange a series of events to commemorate January 20 victims.
Meanwhile, US Congressman Steve Cohen, member of a Working Group on Azerbaijan in the House of Representatives, made a statement on the Black January tragedy. He said “this incident contributed to the breakup of the Soviet Union”.
“Armed with a state of emergency declared by the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet Presidium and signed by then President Mikhail Gorbachev, the incursion was intended to suppress a growing independence movement. The net result was the opposite. This incident inflamed Azerbaijani nationalism and contributed to the breakup of the Soviet Union” said the Congressman.
“The Republic of Azerbaijan has maintained its independence for more than 17 years, despite lingering economic and social problems from the Soviet era and the military occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan by Armenia. Today, Azerbaijan has developed into a thriving country with double digit growth, in large part due to a freely elected president and parliament, free market reforms led by the energy sector, and, most importantly, no foreign troops on its soil” Steve Cohen said.
