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meeting with the people on September 19. I agreed. Since this hall is not so big for 
a bigger meeting, we are going to assemble in Motodrom. 
I can go there. Can`t they? Violating the laws, opposing the policy are crimes. 
78 policemen were injured. 30 of them are in critical state. The criminals must be 
punished. Nobody will be allowed to make turmoils and chaos in Azerbaijan. 
I defend the right of the Azerbaijani population. I took an oath that I shall secure 
the right of our citizens. Because our people trust me. I also rely on our people. With 
the people`s help I can do hard jobs. 
I was invited to take power in June 1993. I took the responsibility in the hardest 
period of Azerbaijan. I understood that the sitution was extremely hard. I have also a 
private life, a family. But I took the responsibility for the interests of the Azerbaijani 
people.
I have faced a lot of diffi culties since 1993. Then Azerbaijan was almost torn 
apart. A so-called Talysh-Mugan Republic was declared in Lankaran. Ganja was out 
of control. Some separatist movements were active in the northern part, too. People 
did not feel safe in Baku. We arranged everything  in those years. 
I remember the October events of 1994. Some people wanted to overthrow the 
government, even kill me. I addressed our people on TV late in the evening. I shall 
never forget that night. After my speech on TV, thousands of people assembled 
around the Presidential Palace. Most of them were women. That was a critical 
period. However, with the help of the Azerbaijani people, we could overcome those 
diffi culties. 
When I saw the women of different ages, I was surprised how much they love and 
trust me. I am excited when I remember those moments. 
Similar events happened again in March 1995. The opposition parties together with 
OMON wanted to overthrow the government. They were supported from abroad. 
But everybody knows that Heydar Aliyev will never let Azerbaijan be divided. 
I rely on the Azerbaijani people. I am an experienced person. But I don`t feel a 
hero. I am a hero thanks to your support. Relying on you, I am leading an independent 
policy of Azerbaijan. All the parties in Azerbaijan should know that they can function 
only within the laws of Azerbaijan. Illegal actions will not be allowed. As a guarantee 
of the Constitution and laws, I shall ensure the safety of our citizens. 
In the Name of the Azerba  ani Woman

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Dear women! I have had a lot of meetings. But I have never met people like you. 
You had discussions earlier. Since half past two we have been here. Now it is 8 
o`clock. You are so patient and disciplined. I admire you. 
I have some advice. You are active participants in the public and political life. I 
want you to be much more active. I would like the men to learn discipline, patience 
and loyalty from you. 
Women have a great infl uence in society. Though  women are not represented in 
the governmental structures so much, you still have a great infl uence. That`s why, I 
want our men to learn from you. 
I thank you also for your contributions to the establishement of the Azerbaijani 
army. Your sons serve in our army now. Yesterday I issued a decree on the enrollment 
of the young people at the age of 18 to the army. Since there is a stability and peace 
in our country, our youth just need to serve in the army for two years. At the same 
time, they learn how to defend their motherland there. Be sure that we have an army 
able to defend our independence and territorial integrity. I thank our women for their 
contributions. I hope that they will raise patriotic people for our country further.
Dear ladies! I am satisfi ed with my meeting with you. I am excited today. But I 
am surprised with your reactions to my speech. 
I think that this assembly is successful. It will be a historical event in the women 
movement in Azerbaijan. I congratulate and wish you the best!
Long live the Azerbaijani women!
Long live Azerbaijan! 
In the Name of the Azerba  ani Woman

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SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN 
HEYDAR ALIYEV AT THE CEREMONY DEDICATED TO THE 
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN`S DAY 
 March 6, 1999
Dear ladies! Dear sisters!
I congratulate you, all the women of Azerbaijan on the International Women`s 
Day. I wish you the best!
We are living the last years of the 20
th
 century. The women of Azerbaijan have 
achieved remarkable successes in this century. Our women had never gained so 
much before the 20
th
century. 
Since their emancipation the women have developed and become participants of 
the society. It is necessary to take care of them, use their force effectively, respect 
and thank them. 
If 50-60 per cent of the people working in the fi eld of medicine and education 
are women, then just imagine the rapid development of our women within a short 
period.
The conditions created for our women, attention and care for them, as well as the 
women`s talent, potential, intelligence, diligence have developed them. We can be 
proud that the women form the majority in our country. They form 51 percent of our 
population.
The Azerbaijani women are praised in our literature. The speakers have told 
much about our women today. I agree with all of them. Because,  I am of the same 
opinion, too. 
Our distinguished poet Mirvarid Dilbazi recited a poem about women. Her poems 
are loved by our society. I like them, too. I think that the poem recited here refl ects 
the best features of all the women. My favorite phrase was this: when nature changed 
the world, it substituted the paradise with a woman. It is true. It demonstrates the 
position of the women in the society. We, men, should know that the paradise is our 
women.
The Azerbaijani women are very brave. They bring up heroes for our people, 
In the Name of the Azerba  ani Woman

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