Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Dec 9 2004
AMBASSADOR JAMES COLLINS: `TODAY’S AZERBAIJAN IS A FRUIT OF
FARSIGHTEDNESS AND IDEAS OF HEYDAR ALIYEV’
[December 09, 2004, 15:43:57]
The ex-U.S. Aide to the Secretary of State on newly independent
states, former US ambassador to Russia James Collins, speaking to
Washington-based AzerTAj correspondent shared his views and
recollections on his meeting with the architect and founder of the
independent Azerbaijan state, world-scale politician Heydar Aliyev.
The diplomat, in particular, said:
`I have been working with President Heydar Aliyev for about four
years. My first meeting with him was in spring 1994. During my visit
to the region, I also visited Azerbaijan where President Heydar
Aliyev and his government received the delegation headed by myself.
Along the evening we had comprehensive discussions on opportunities
of cooperation between America and Azerbaijan.
I would like to remember that at that time the relations between our
countries were at the beginning stage. Heydar Aliyev used to think
over establishment of the links with the Western energy companies and
investors that would benefit his country. We also talk on the hard
and crucial problem over Nagorny Karabakh.
During the first meeting, I was deeply impressed how he farsightedly
thought about his country and nation. He used to seek ways for the
Country’s economic development to expand its opportunities. We had
significant talk on this. Then, later we witnessed how the
negotiations with the Western companies intensified, the links with
the United States expanded and Azerbaijan economy was opened to the
world. After that meeting, I often used to go to Baku. President
Heydar Aliyev received me in every visit. I took close participation
in organizing his meetings with President Bill Clinton and other
high-rank officials of US Administration both in Washington and in
other cities.
I remember that in these meetings, essentially, there were discussed
two questions. The first was how the economic ties established in
1994 to make a dialogue. It is because this cooperation did not cover
only the economic questions, but also the political issues. For
example, development of the Caspian basin hydrocarbons was an
international question. We talked on involving of the Western
companies to Azerbaijan, on the support the US government could
render in this process. As result, now our economic links are at such
high level.
The second question was connected to Nagorny Karabakh. During our
joint work, were grateful to huge efforts President Heydar Aliyev
made to find a formula of settlement of the hard and crucial
situation. During one of my visits, I had been in a refugee camp in a
south region of country. The situation was indeed hard and sorrowful.
President Heydar Aliyev tried very much to find solution to the
Nagorny Karabakh problem. We carried out negotiations in a number of
ways – directly with President and his aides, with the mediation of
Minsk Group. Sometimes, we looked like to find the way out. But when
it comes to adopt difficult decisions, we omitted the moment. In such
cases, President Heydar Aliyev regretted much. I am confident he
wanted very much to settle the problem. But there were limits in what
he could do. The national interests and justice stipulated these
limits. In addition, as a wise leader, President Heydar Aliyev
understood that his Armenian colleagues, too, have similar limits. I
would say the most regretful for President Heydar Aliyev was
uncertainty in the Nagorny Karabakh problem. I am confident that some
day the conflict will be solved. But I know also well that Heydar
Aliyev wished much to see that day.
I have also respect for Heydar Aliyev for other reason – when, in the
first years of independence, there was uncertainty in connection to
future of Azerbaijan, President Heydar Aliyev became the voice of his
Country and solved his destiny. Today’s Azerbaijan is the fruit of
farsightedness and ideas of Heydar Aliyev.
Sometimes, the Clinton Administration expected excessive democratic
reforms, open and pluralistic approach from Heydar Aliyev. But we had
deep respect for him, as President Heydar Aliyev well understood his
role as Head of State.
Heydar Aliyev has done significant deeds for Azerbaijan. He opened
Azerbaijan to the world, set important links with partners in the
West and other countries over the world, could balance the former
relations with the old friends in Moscow and other Soviet area.
Now, Azerbaijan is an independent and serious state of the region
playing important role in the international arena.