EVENT IN PRAGUE EMBASSY MARKS JANUARY 20


January 20, 2008 - Today the event held at premises of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the Czech Republic commemorated the victims of January 20.

In his opening address, Tahir Taghizadeh, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Czech Republic, described January 20, 1990, as one of the most tragic days in the history of Azerbaijan, when more than 130 civilians were killed and 600 men were wounded by the Soviet armed forces' unlawful deployment in Baku.

But at the same time he emphasized that January 20 is not only a mourning day for Azerbaijani people. He said: "These very events demonstrated the will of Azerbaijani people to fight for independence, restoration of sovereignty and violated rights. Cruelty of Soviet troops could have not stifled dream of freedom in the hearts of Azerbaijanis and our people didn't turn away from its volition".

Tomash Lane, former Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Turkey underlying similarities between August 21, 1968 in Czechoslovakia and January 20, 1990 in Baku, said that two nations had brought these sacrifices for their liberation. He added: "I am convinced that the bitter historical experience shared by our two nations can bring even closer cooperation between them".

Those who gathered at the embassy included: Ambassador of Moldova, Charge-d'Affairs of Georgia, former Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Turkey, as well as representatives of Azerbaijani community in the Czech Republic.