PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJANHIS EXCELLENCY,MR. ILHAM ALIYEV
It is with deep sorrow that I heard the news on the death of the esteemed Head of State, great statesman, President Heydar Aliyev. He made a great contribution to strengthening the independence of Azerbaijan, developing the country as well as the Turkish-Azerbaijani contacts. Let peace and blessing of Allah be upon him. I extend my condolence to You, your family, relatives, Azerbaijan people and the entire Turkic world.
Respectfully,
Professor Umid Ozdag
Chief of Eurasia Strategic Researches CenterAnkara, December 15, 2003.