Azernews.Az

By Imamverdi Ismayilov

Member of Parliament, Milli Majlis

This article is dedicated to over one million Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs who became homeless as a result of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.

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...Our writing continues as our path...

...Our path is towards the new settlements, constructed for refugees with taste and in accordance with modern standards...

The wheels of the car, speeding on the newly constructed wide and smooth highway, are spinning forward like Time, and I am winged with my thoughts through time about true happiness in the world.

...I believe, one of the greatest formulas for happiness is the confidence of FATHER in his SON, and the SON's justification of this confidence, blamelessness in front of the FATHER...

This mutual relationship, that from time to time has become a universal question for world literature as well, represented by FATHERS and SONS, is the continuation of life in normal pace, the legacy of heritage, the unbreakable line of progress...

...As our vehicle advances forward, the LAMP flickering in my thoughts is shedding light on life's scenery on other side of the window, scenes replacing each other with lightning fast speed, reflecting current dynamics and proportion.

As I look on, I can see the confidence of GREAT FATHER - of great leader Heydar Aliyev, and I witness the blameless, proud, noble deeds of President Ilham Aliyev, who justifies this confidence for years, in front of the FATHER and his sacred legacy - the INDEPENDENT AZERBAIJAN.

During the meeting with residents of newly constructed settlements for IDPs in Bilasuvar region on October 1, 2003, as Presidential Candidate, Mr Ilham Aliyev had resolutely stated:

"...There will be no more tent settlements in the country!.."

Having the first meeting with which people, which groups of population is very essential for the leader who heeds the voice of citizens in order to assume the mission of the leadership of state.

As Presidential Candidate Mr Ilham Aliyev had his first meeting with none other than the IDPs!

It gave them hope, it let them know that freeing our regions from occupation and solution of social problems of refugees and IDPs would remain as the number one priority for the government during the new period of development in Azerbaijan, as during the tenure of Heydar Aliyev's leadership in country...

...And the refugees and IDPs who unanimously placed their confidence in Mr Ilham Aliyev, the successor of dear Father Heydar Aliyev and the protector of His shrine of statehood, during the presidential elections, eventually witnessed turning of pre-election promises into actual deeds after the electoral victory.

President kept his words: the Head of State's approach to this problem was reflected in state programs and decrees issued after one another; in 2006, 3 tent camps in Barda and 1 tent camp in Agjabedi and, in December 2007, 3 tent settlements in Saatli and Sabirabad regions were abolished, and thus there indeed was no more tent camps remaining in the country - the President's decree was duly carried out one year before its deadline...

More than 129,000 IDPs were provided with individual houses in dozens of settlements constructed during 2003-2013, together with hundreds of secondary schools, music schools, kindergartens, health care facilities, clubs, communication houses, social infrastructure on par with modern standards...

As the result of these works, the number of settlements constructed for IDPs in Azerbaijan reached 82; 33,000 families, about 159,000 IDPs escaped the hardships of dwelling in tents, wooden houses, dormitory cells, and thus stepped onto a beginning of new life.

Overall, the housing conditions were improved for 33,000 families and 159,000 refugees and IDPs during 2001-2013.

The President of Azerbaijan remained as loyal to the great leader's principles on social protection of IDPs as to sacred testament. Payments to IDPs for monthly food expenses were tripled with allocations from state budget. The government continued assuming the responsibility for supplying them with food, for covering the costs of public utilities used by IDPs, and for payment of monthly wages to IDPs who had previously worked in budget-funded enterprises and organizations but lost their jobs due to reasons beyond their control and were still unemployed. The government took consistent measures to increase their employment, reduce poverty, and promote entrepreneurship among refugees and IDPs...

If there were no international humanitarian organizations working in Azerbaijan during the first years of conflict, when our economic options were limited, our country would have faced dire humanitarian crisis.

In accordance with relevant decree of sagacious great leader Heydar Aliyev, the Republican Commission on International Humanitarian Assistance was established.

Mr Ali Hasanov, Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was reappointed as the Head of the Commission with the decree signed by Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in 2010, and we can now state confidently that the commission has ensured free and transparent working environment in our country for the embassies of foreign countries in Azerbaijan, international financial institutions, donor countries, international and local humanitarian agencies.

"May Allah help them, humanitarian organizations helped us very much then, due to the late Man. The whole world respected Heydar Aliyev, everyone tried to help when his name was around. We lived through really difficult days then. Now, thanks to Allah, Azerbaijan has many options, our government can do anything whatever needed..."

Mountain-hearted Shafi muallim from Kalbajar... A true highlander, you can see the love for humanity pouring from his big bright eyes. He now resides in a three-room apartment in Khirdalan, given to him by the government. His son-in-law was awarded a medal for bravery in Garabagh battles. They still live near frontlines. He is really proud that his grandchildren are born and raised in that area. He says: "Thanks to Allah, they did not come to city but stayed there. There is a distinct pleasure in growing up breathing the homeland's air..."

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During these years refugees and IDPs were the groups of population with whom the President of Azerbaijan stayed in most touch. Between 2003-2013 the President attended more than 30 meetings dedicated to them, he met these people 25 times in newly established settlements, visited their new apartments with his wife, drank a cup of their tea, brought a world of joy and happiness with his each visit, bestowed unforgettable memories, soared in the hearts of people with his simplicity, sincerity, modesty...

"...When visiting the settlement, we met with the President behind a tea table..." One of heroes of my first essay, Rahim muallim from Jabrayil, with a bright twinkle in his eyes, spoke about a moment from one of such meetings, which had eluded the TV cameramen: "We were getting ready for the visit of our President. Our President arrived, everyone greeted him heartily. Then we were gathered around a tea party. It was a sunny day, and the table was on a very sunny spot. Suddenly Ilham muallim stood up and grabbed the table. Luckily I was sitting near him. He told me, it is too sunny here, let's drag it to shades..."

As Rahim muallim speaks, he tries not to omit any detail: "Quickly the guards came running, but the President didn't let them. He told them, we will move ourselves. We picked up the table and put it under shades. It was then I realized that simplicity was the greatest beauty for a man. May Allah protect him!.."

The age of 50 is the most significant moment in life; one spends it together with the closest people.

The President of Azerbaijan, together with his spouse Mehriban khanim Aliyeva, spent his 50^th birthday with IDPs from Lachin residing in Agjabadi region, and this birthday, where the only decoration, splendor or gift was the love of one great family with nine million members, was written to hearts as the most beautiful anniversary in the world, with its message and preached values...

Amirkhan ZEYNALOV, who spoke at that gathering from the name of all IDPs, thanked the head of state and said:

- Mr President, you make us very happy today. You give us heart. We know that it is a dear day for you, it is your birthday. Today you turn 50. You could have spent this day together with your family, your children, your beautiful grandchildren. But you are so much more sensitive, so much more appreciative that you consider the situation of IDPs, you choose to make their hearts happy, you bestow upon them much pride and joy...

Our respected President Ilham ALIYEV had responded so:

- I appreciate your kind words. I want to say that usually I don't celebrate my birthdays. But this year I decided to celebrate it with my family - today I am with my family, and my family is you...

In that meeting between the IDPs and the President - who considered every single Azerbaijani in the world as close to himself as a family member and who did everything for their happiness, - alongside with Ms Mehriban Aliyeva - who assisted Mr Ilham Aliyev's righteous work with her public performance and illuminant deeds, who gave him the greatest support through the projects of Heydar Aliyev Foundation that she chaired, in delivering the truths about Garabagh and problems of IDPs to the world, and in resolving these problems, - the photographers recording the meeting moments, perhaps unwittingly, took portraits of Love, Simplicity, Unity and Eternal Adoration - adoration for people and adoration of people...

...This tall man, creating a pleasant aura with a smile on his dark face and as if individually woven thick curly hair, is Amirkhan Zeynalov, who now is very popular, everyone knows him. I have a good rapport, a friendly relationship with this man. We often have jokes and fun conversations. He had a memorable speech at the 5^th congress of New Azerbaijan Party, everyone was amazed. He told me afterwards that his time ran out so he couldn't speak all of his thoughts and had to leave them in his heart.

"...We were pleased to have Mr Ali Hasanov, the Vice Prime Minister and the Chairman of State Committee on Refugee/IDP Affairs, the head of such dedicated agency working on our issues, getting elected as the Deputy Chairperson of NAP at the last congress of our party. We are very proud. This is another example of the care, trust and confidence of Mr Ilham Aliyev and of the party that he chairs, towards the people of Garabagh. It is also a great confidence placed in our community. You know that it boosts the responsibility of our people in front of the state and the statehood. May Allah strengthen our President's confidence!.."

We bid farewell and depart, few days later I get a phone call. I hear Amirkhan muallim's booming, friendly, dear voice on the phone: "When are you coming to these places again, sir? Make time and visit us, I have good basket honey for you, you are a writer, it should be interesting for you. You can search the earth and sky for it, but you can't find anything like it. Basket honey is not alike any other honey you have ever seen, its taste is absolutely different. When our President celebrated his 50^th anniversary together with us, we had organized an exhibition of basket honey and churned butter. With oven bread on the side... Come and taste for yourself..."