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Polad Bul-Bul Ogly, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Azerbaijani Republic in the RF
23 years ago in 1990 on the night from the 19th to the 20th of January the Soviet authorities,
who were losing control over the country, launched a contingent of regular troops to Baku,
which murdered more than 150 peaceful citizens in one night, with more than 700 people injured.
I would like to emphasize that it was neither politicians
nor some activists expressing their thoughts who were killed,
but ordinary citizens of Baku, peaceful citizens, including
– and the events shocked the whole world – emergency workers, doctors who were fulfilling their duty.
Tanks ran over cars in which people were sitting.
It was an attempt at threatening.
It seems the Soviet authorities wanted to pacify the other peoples
who comprised the Soviet Union by using Azerbaijan, Baku as an example.
There was Vilnius ahead of Baku, as well as Tbilisi,
but there were not so many victims as there were in Baku.
Of course, any victim, any violent death of any person is a great tragedy.
At that time we all lived in one country,
and it was difficult to realize what was happening in reality.
But January 20th was a red line for the Azerbaijani people,
the Rubicon after which it was clear that we couldn’t live together any more.
For sure, some time has passed and the time for understanding has passed.
23 years have passed, and every new generation will assess this fact of history,
our common history, as we lived in one country, and analyze it,
considering the times in which they live.
But for our generation, for people who lived in the ideology of the Soviet Union,
were raised within it, the *** of the citizens of one country
for disagreeing with anything was unacceptable to all people, including state workers.
People understood that this ideology was doomed to collapse.
That is why January 20th is one of the most important days
not only in the history of Azerbaijan, but the whole Soviet Union.
We will never forget those people who gave their lives
for the freedom and independence of Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani people don’t forget their history
– their victories, their failures, their holidays, their prominent people.
While Azerbaijanis live, we will remember the day of the 20th of January and commemorate victims.
Oktai Guseinov, the chairman of the Moscow Society of Azerbaijanis
From the 19th to the 20th of January the Soviet army invaded Baku,
it was a real attack on its peaceful citizens.
It was an act of deterrence to prevent the collapse of the USSR.
Many politicians blamed Gorbachev for the developments in Vilnius, Tbilisi
and especially Baku, because innocent people were killed for nothing.
I believe that Gorbachev wouldn’t dare to do it,
the conservatives in the Communist Party would remove him.
Even Perestroika could prevent it, but he didn’t go all the way.
However, he mustn’t kill peaceful citizens in interests of his policy.
Nadezhda Paina, member of the Writers Union of Azerbaijan
“The aggression against Azerbaijan and its victims will never be forgotten,” Heydar Aliyev.
I published a book in honor of Heydar Aliyev;
from three poems I will read several quatrains to you.
It is dedicated to the victims of the January events of 1990 in Baku.
Ana Veten, you are wearing black,
You drop flowers on the pavement.
Tell me, what’s the tragic event?
Who could only dare to attack?
The alley of victims… children, grown-ups,
The symbols of love who were shot.
Who could only set all these traps?
Who will your grief respond for?
“Why does tar cry?” I dedicate this to Shahids of Azerbaijan
Karagach is groaning in the wind,
To the sun chinar is striving.
Chinar says: “Be brave, don’t cry,
Listen to why the tar is crying.
The arena of war – Karabakh.
Do we need an arena of war?
Our sons who were raised in the hills
They won’t come home any more.
Gazakh, Khodzhaly, Karakend
Are paths made of mourning ribbons,
Are hills where our sons were raised,
But the war took them all at once.
In honor of every son – a fountain,
Fountains of parents’ tears…
Be brave, Azerbaijan,
Country of roses and lyrics.
Karagach is groaning in the wind,
To the sun chinar is striving.
Don’t cry, karagach, be brave and don’t cry,
Listen to why the tar is crying.