PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC HIS EXCELLENCYMR. ILHAM ALIYEV
Dear Mr. President,
With deep sorrow, I learnt on untimely passing of Your father Heydar Aliyevich Aliyev, great friend of Russia, prominent politician of the Soviet Union, great son of the Azerbaijan Republic.
With his leave, Russia lost a true ally, staunch and successive supporter of deepening and development of the Russian-Azerbaijani strategic partnership.
The name of Heydar Aliyevich Aliyev will be forever written down the history of establishment of the Republic of Azerbaijan, strengthening its statehood and authority on the international arena.
Today we grieve together with You. Accept, please, my sincere condolence to You personally, dear Mr. President, the natives and close of Heydar Aliyevich, the whole people of Azerbaijan.
Let the God rest his soul in peace.
Sincerely Yours,
Boris Grizlov,
Minister of internal affairs of the Russian Federation
Moscow, 13 December 2003