Jazzman

I have met Vafa bek 20 year ago. It was me who interviewed Vafa Guluzade about the necessity to set up the NATO base on the Absheron peninsula. In the early 1990s even the opposition activists did not dare to say that, needless to say that it was the State Advisor for Foreign Policy.

But I do not think that the distinguishing feature of this man is courage. For me Guluzade is first of all an interesting person. Some journalists take his comments explicitly. But this is Vafa bey"s fault, because he can say one thing today and tomorrow something contrary to that. But media is not tired of communication with this person. I think the main reason is his optimism, which is very natural.

When it comes to something serious, Vafa bey is very pessimistic and it seems like that he is not going to say anything else. But after five minutes he recites poems by Vysotsky, Blok, Pasternak and then poems that reflect our mood. Then he can tell a funny story and then some stories about women (especially the story about secretary of Soviet Foreign minister Gromyko). Then conversation continues with a glass of wine or whisky. He reminds me of a jazzman, his behavior is unpredictable and he is ready to improvisation. It depends on the level of a journalist and a companion if the readers will understand him or not.

Another distinguishing feature of this person is that he is simple and accessible. In the early 1980s Vafa Guluzade occupied the position of chief of the Cultural Department of the Azerbaijan Central Communist Party. My friend told me a very funny story. The Baku Communist party has arranged some event and none of the party members were allowed to leave till Heydar Aliyev makes a speech and leaves. One party member had to leave urgently, but people at the doors did not allow him to go out. After a while he came back with Vafa Guluzade, who has assumed the responsibility, and he was allowed to leave.

This is not the matter of bravery, but the matter of responsibility. The party members did not like to assume the responsibility and did not forward any initiatives. The proper party member would think what if this man would have an accident, visit his lover and etc, and then I will be responsible for that. I would be punished, because all that wouldn"t have happened if he would have stayed.

His colleagues and press liked him for being natural and not arrogant. It was easy to call to his office and interview him (try to do it now). He was never scared of sharp questions and we are proud of the fact that Guluzade has made the most important statements and comments in our interviews.

Vafa bey always looked like a real diplomat. I have never seen him wearing wrinkled trousers, red shirt or white socks. His appearance and manners show a real intelligent person, unlike appearance of people, who occupy positions in the presidential administration now. Some of them are dressed as village teachers and expression of their faces shows lack of intelligence.

Guluzada is more like a free artist, than a party member. I think that Vafa Guluzade sincerely says that he hates the government service and refused to return to any position after his resignation in 1999. But I think Guluzade should have published his memoirs.

I think Vafa bey is not ashamed of anything, but I think it hurts not to see his son Murad around...
We wish you inexhaustible optimism and long life.