khojaly genocide

Address of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide – Baku, February 23, 2012

…Over the past two centuries, the Armenian bigots, in an effort to materialize their dream of “Great Arme­nia” at the expense of the historical Azerbaijani lands, have repeatedly committed crimes against humanity, such as terrorism, mass extermination, deportation and ethnic cleansing of our people. However, the Khojaly genocide, which occurred in the late 20th cen­tury right in front of the eyes of the entire world, was distinguished for the particular brutality and ruth­lessness and has become the bloodiest page of this aggressive policy. The political and legal responsi­bility for this grave crime rests directly on them and current leaders of Armenia, on the separatist Moun­tainous Garabagh regime.

From the letter of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to the Jewish community in Azerbaijan – Baku, April 27, 2003

…The Azerbaijani people have also faced such disasters throughout its history. Particularly as a result of the Armenian military aggression launched in 1988, the genocide and deportation of the Azerbaijanis, mass murders and massacres, horrible Armenian vandalism in our occupied territories, and the Khojaly genocide were witnessed by the world community, but have not yet received international legal and political recognition…