December 12th is the day of remembrance for our nation's National Leader, the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev.
The editorial board reminds that it is impossible to speak enough about the honorable life path, services to the Motherland, and worthy leadership of Azerbaijan during the period of independence of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, who entered history as the founder of the independent Azerbaijani state, a brilliant politician, and a great personality.
World history has proven that the strength, intellect, courage, political will, and wisdom of personalities play an irreplaceable role in the life of the people to which they belong and the state they create. Among these personalities, the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the architect and founder of the modern independent Azerbaijani state, holds a unique place.
During his years of leadership in Azerbaijan, National Leader Heydar Aliyev increased the country's prestige with his far-sighted domestic and foreign policy, ensured the development of our republic in various directions as a result of reforms carried out within the country, and made its independence eternal and irreversible. Under the leadership of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the modern Azerbaijani state was built, the Constitution of the independent state was adopted, and our state took its rightful place in the world. It was precisely by the Great Leader's decision that the national flag of Azerbaijan – the tricolor flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic – was declared the state flag. Heydar Aliyev, who left a deep mark on Azerbaijan's history with his wisdom, raised his righteous voice in the most difficult moments for the Azerbaijani people, accused the Soviet leadership, and left the ranks of the Communist Party.
Demonstrating true leadership qualities, the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev stood by his people during the January 20 tragedy and condemned this crime of the Soviet leadership. After Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991, it faced a difficult situation; the crisis that prevailed in power in 1991-1993 led the country to a state of civil war, and Armenia, taking advantage of the situation, attempted to dismember Azerbaijan and threaten its independence. As a result of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan and its policy of ethnic cleansing against our people, 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory – the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts – was occupied, and more than 1 million of our compatriots became refugees and internally displaced persons.
On June 15, 1993, at the insistence of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev returned to power. It was thanks to the Great Leader's wisdom, rich political and statehood experience, and unwavering determination that the young, independent republic was saved from inevitable disaster, stability was established in the country's domestic and foreign policy, a ceasefire was reached regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the country entered a new era of development. The Azerbaijani people, duly appreciating the work done by Heydar Aliyev, immortalized him as the National Leader of the people. Our people turned to him in their most difficult moments, invited him to power, and thereafter, Azerbaijan entered a period of stability and development. The unparalleled services of the prominent statesman Heydar Aliyev to the people, spanning over 30 years, have created a legacy in the annals of statehood.
The political course of National Leader Heydar Aliyev is being successfully continued today by President Ilham Aliyev, and as a result of his successful domestic and foreign policy, Azerbaijan has become a leading country in the region. The model of legal state building and the political course laid by the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, as well as the reforms implemented in all areas to ensure the sustainable progress of our country, are being successfully continued today by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Karabakh, which the Azerbaijani people had longed for for 30 years, was liberated from occupation in the 44-day Patriotic War under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the valor of the valiant Azerbaijani Army. A historic victory was achieved as a result of the "Iron Fist" operation.
Today, the sacred strategic ideas of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, aimed at the triumph of the freedom and independence of the Azerbaijani people, are being successfully implemented by his worthy successor, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.