Vafa Guluzadeh — people’s diplomat

Had one of the best Azerbaijani diplomats, a councillor to the three Presidents, not died suddenly on May 1, 2015, we would have celebrated his 80-anniversary on December 22, 2020. It should be remembered that V. Guluzadeh is an Orientalist-Arabist, diplomat, political expert, former foreign policy advisor of the Azerbaijan Republic, president of the Foundation for political studies of the Caspian states. He was in the loop of high-ranking Azerbaijani politicians led by Heydar Aliyev that shaped today’s foreign policy of the country, set framework and priorities of the external world of Azerbaijan to live and develop. It’s unfortunate that he failed to see the Day of Victory of Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh War and return of Shusha, a town of special significance for him. 

The publication below speaks well of V. Guluzadeh in the memoirs of his friends and close associates.

«Tired of waiting. When will President go home...»

He liked taking part in in a festive meal; rubbed shoulders with like-minded people. V. Guluzadeh was on friendly terms with journalists; dropped at Turan information agency to mix with his equals –thus he spoke.

I was one of a few journalists V. Guluzadeh could phone and invite to dinner jointly. As usual, taking part in a festive meal at Baku summer restaurant was preceded by going his white BMW, and it was evident that the driver liked to drive passengers that showed discrimination in cars, remembers journalist Kamal Ali.

V. Guluzadeh continued that in his early years when he had just started his diplomatic career in Arab countries, he was on friendly terms with colleagues from US Embassies asking them to lend a car and take a turn. If you believe it, his Russian chiefs from the Soviet Embassy took ill of pranks of the Azerbaijani diplomat!

A young diplomat Vafa Guluzade in Egypt

At meal, in the course of debates of our common causes (I was in charge of V. Guluzadeh’ materials for his first book «Among enemies and friends»), he shared his emotions he had to conceal as public figure. Of interest was his story of resignation from position of advisor to the Presidential administration in 1999. There was a political background in this decision. Late at night V. Guluzadeh was sitting at his workroom dressed in suit and tie. He could not go home because President Heydar Aliyev went on staying at his study: the administration was meant to stay in until the first person performed his duties.

Vafa Guluzade and Heydar Aliyev

State advisor Vafa Guluzadeh was seated on a chair with legs on a table crossly speculating about anxieties of his position: «normal human beings» are taking rest at home in front of TV-set or taking long walks … he has to sit through because …

Next day the state advisor filed in his resignation. Much later he managed to gain a merit pension that a new state advisor had cleaned out of his mind «inexplicably».

The most important of what V. Guluzadeh owned up in private talks, «under no voice recorder», was that the best perspective for security and development of Azerbaijan was country’s joining Turkey. He believed that endless imperial ambitions of Russia would never let Azerbaijan remain independent; we are perpetually threatened by Russia and it remains unknown what will happen tomorrow. V. Guluzadeh saw Azerbaijan’s independence in maximum association with Turkey. Sources of such an assuredness go back to Vafa Guluzadeh’s family. His father — Mirzaaga Guluzadeh, academician, literary critic and orientalist. Mother  — Yagut Dilbazi, writer, literary critics of Azerbaijani and Turkish literature, offspring of noble birth that fought very hard for independence of Azerbaijan from Soviet Russia. Note that relatives of V. Guluzadeh were repressed for their political views.

Yagut Dilbazi and Mirzaaga Guluzadeh

Now that we won a war against Armenia Azerbaijanis gained an opportunity to go to the fraternal country: «one nation - two states», V. Guluzadeh’s words are not surprising today.

He‘d rather not been concerned in the self-defeating peace...

V. Guluzadeh liked Shahin Hajhjiyev, editor of political department of Turan agency. Expensive cognacs came up on Shahin’s table on the eve of Guluzadeh’s visit to the agency.

Sh. Hajjiyev shared his memoirs:

V. Guluzadeh  did not want to be concerned in the conclusion of possible self-defeating peace with Armenia in 1999. As top official of the reviewed period, he would unwittingly be concerned in the matter. His resounding resignation followed by two more resignations of other high-ranking officials (Foreign Minister Tofik Zulfugarov and aide to the President Eldar Namazov) spoiled this plan.

V. Guluzadeh remembered his difference with the first person about inadmissibility of such an agreement, and he won the argument after in a while the first person confessed as saying «You were right, Vafa, Moscow fended off concluding the peace». I cannot say confidently that he was a hotshot idealist-hero; rather the opposite.

Eldar Namazov, US Secretary of State James Baker, Vafa Guluzade

Another undisclosed lifetime theme proved to be his relations with women that he revealed in a very narrow circle. In particular, weak points and extravagancies of the helpmate of Soviet Foreign Ministry А.Gromyko, affection of a daughter of the CPSU Secretary, etc. In this respect, not an ordinary diplomat could swagger about any successes in his career.

Vafa was exactly the same person, slightly self-affected, discreet, unprepared to risk. On the other hand, he had no forbidding cynicism and insincerity typical for many public figures. In simple terms, he was a nice guy.

Following his death I have long kept in my memory his telephone number. Very often, I lured to dial and ask: How are you getting on, Vafa-bey? Let’s go to my place…

Jazzman

I’m proud that Guluzadeh’s famous interview on the necessity of establishing a NATO base on Apsheron was written by me. Earlier 1990s, it was practically a blue talk, and not an oppositionist ventured to give a piece of mind on the subject, to say nothing of the foreign affair advisor’, Sh. Hajiyev added:

For me, Guluzadeh is, first of all, an interesting conversationalist. I’d like to emphasize that most my colleagues-journalists take his views forthrightly or seek to interpret him for their own benefit. True, this is Guluzadeh’s own deformity of nature: one thing today; another thing tomorrow. Yet, mass media go on conversing with him. To my thinking, a primary cause is his optimism, natural, hearty but unconscious.

When it comes to things, Vafa-bey is utterly pessimistic; an impression is that everything is sick and tired, he won’t say a word. However, in five minutes he starts reciting Vysotskiy, Blok, Pasternak to reflect mood we suffer. These are followed by one anecdote, another and finally the conversation drifts to women. The talk is accompanied by wine or whisky imbibing as circumstances required. Note that a similar behavior is typical for a person sparing himself; a sort of jazzman. That’s why deep inside I call Vafa-bey a jazzman, unpredictable and concurrently ready for improvisation. How will readers perceive Guluzadeh is dependent upon a level journalist, a talker?

Wafa Guluzade jokes

Another Guluzadeh’s distinctive feature is his simplicity and accessibility. I remember earlier 1980s when Vafa Mirzoyevich held a position of the head of culture department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan. Then my friend (komsomol activist) told a remarkable story. There was a meeting of Baku city committee attended by high-ranking officials, and nobody could leave the meeting until Heydar Aliyev speak and leave the audience.

However, one of the attendees was forced to leave the audience on the matter of utmost importance; however, gatekeepers did not let him go. Then this man came to gatekeepers together with Vafa Guluzadeh who assumed the responsibility and managed to let him go. Today, the situation seems to be unconvincing. So what happens now?

However, this is not about courage but responsibility. A distinctive feature of Party functionaries for all seasons is escape initiative and responsibility. An ordinary Party functionary is afraid that this person will have an accident, get drink, run over by a car, etc. The situation will be overviewed, and a slack functionary will be punished...

Earlier 1990s Guluzadeh’s actions were notable for relaxedness, disengagement, lack of arrogance, etc. All these made Guluzadeh a pet of diplomats and later of mass media. Thus, journalists could easily phone him to the Presidential apparatus, interview him (try to do that now). He never swerved from sticking points, and it was Guluzadeh who made important comments and statements at our Agency’ request.

Another remarkable feature of Vafa Guluzadeh was his appearances. He looked as a genuine diplomat. I had never watched wrinkled trousers, red shirts or white socks. All his suits and ties, haircuts and manner reveal an intelligent to have a good time with. And now, try to remember to faces and appearances of those from the presidential administration, to say nothing about other public structures. Some of them look like outcasts, facial expressions and Hitlerite moustache, so it’d be improper for them to make a public appearance.

Along with the advisor it’d be appropriate to give the floor to the former Foreign Minister Tofik Zulfugarov. He shared his impressions of joint work with V. Guluzadeh.

In understandable terms

At present, I perceive his death as a loss of friend. Next comes a statesman, T. Zulfugarov remembers.

I do not remember our first meeting. An impression is that I knew him all my life: he worked the room. We started our joint activity under Elchibey, they attended one and the same university faculty, V. Guluzadeh made visits to the President.

He had a great quantity of friends in different areas; I had never met anyone to speak critically of him. Our professional contacts and collaboration developed in and of themselves; it never occurred to me that there was disproportion in the age.

V. Guluzadeh had a great experience of work in the system of foreign policy. Both Foreign Ministry and Presidential apparatus were in an inchoative stage; there were not foreign establishments of the country abroad; just 20 staff members worked at the Foreign Ministry. We responded to developments depending upon country’s interests, improvised diplomats to represent the country. There were no instructions to act; the issue was discussed and decided what to do next.

Under President Heydar Aliyev, foreign political structures of the state were staffed; President personally conducted the process; Foreign Minister Hasan Hasanov and his deputy Araz Azimov took part at work discussions, etc..

Hasan Hasanov, Vafa Guluzade, Tofik Zulfugarov

I was surprised at Heydar Aliyev’s respect for Vafa Guluzadeh. They had a joint experience of work in Soviet structures. Note that Heydar Aliyev shaped his attitude to subordinated depending upon their personal qualities. V. Guluzadeh had a high level of intelligence, so H. Aliyev perceived me as junior partner of V. Guluzadeh.

He stood at the origins of today’s Azerbaijani foreign policy. Note that algorithm of this political line was set by Heydar Aliyev. V. Guluzadeh had experience of work at Switzerland, English language proficiency, he maintained good relations with the West, United States and simultaneously held in respect at the Russian Foreign Ministry. I witnessed V. Guluzadeh’s discussions with Russian diplomat Kazimirov about «Silver century» poetry in Russia. I was agreeably surprised at Guluzadeh’s awareness of the Russian literature. His favorite telecasts were Arab TV-channels. He advised me to watch Arab news and thus back the command of language.

Vafa Guluzade and Heydar Aliyev in Parliament​

Note that Heydar Aliyev invited V. Guluzadeh to attend nationwide debates over the Karabakh conflict at Milli Majlis. The form of discussions was correct: wide audience should be aware of the whole complexity of the Karabakh process.

V. Guluzadeh made a great contribution to shaping a positive image of Azerbaijani diplomat. People liked his statements and comprehensible commentaries on hot issues. Our today’s policy is deficient in the unique quality of this sort. Note that President Ilham Aliyev maintains trust-based contacts with wide audience while the second echelon of power leaves much to be desired. V. Guluzadeh was skillful in establishing a dialogue between the authority and society. The country remembers him due to his extraordinary talent and abilities to speak in understandable terms with ordinary people, said T. Zulfugarov.

In the the Presidential administration Vafa Guluzadeh worked together with aide to President Heydar Aliyev — Eldar Namazov. Political expert E. Namazov accepted Turan’s invitation to share his views on perception of Vafa Guluzadeh’s person.

In the pantheon of shahids killed in action for the Victory of the country

I could scarcely start writing an essay on Vafa Guluzadeh, and I did not understand why. Days went past, friends hurried me but I failed to make up my mind and go ahead. At last, I realized surreptitiously what thwarted me: Vafa Guluzadeh was a man of integrity – highly qualified professional, skillful diplomat, patriot of his native country. At the same time he was highly cultured and agreeable person with which to discuss main points for hours – from world geopolitics to personal issues. That’s why at first I could not understand what I should tell about Vafa Guluzadeh.

How is he best remembered as experienced diplomat? All knew about it. What were his prophetic revelations about the military alliance Turkey-Azerbaijan?  Все об этом читали,  знают.

To my thinking, it’d be appropriate to speak about little-known facts. It’s more accurate to say a few words about the Friend. It was a true sign of faith that I was on friendly terms with this wonderful person. 

We cultivated close links with Vafa Guluzadeh as members of Heydar Aliyev’s team. He was advisor to the president for foreign policy, and as aide I was in charge of foreign policy issues. As a result, there was a peculiar Presidential «pool» to discuss daily issues of foreign policy. If needed be, we arrived at important decisions jointly with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I cannot remember when it happened but in a while I felt that we had been with Vafa on friendly terms for decades. It was astonishing from human relations standpoint – neither he nor I were among those easily unlocking hearts to bystanders. But the situation around Vafa Guluzadeh differed. If not special assignments, a door suddenly opened, and his voice thrilled through the room: «Hi, Elik. I’d like to have a good tea with you». The room was immediately filled with a new volubility and inviting atmosphere. 

It emerged that we saw many issues in an identical manner not only in foreign issues but surrounding society and human relations as well.  When we needed support, there was no need in asking or hinting at – all things occurred of its own accord. I remember cases where Vafa Guluzadeh was pressured by a neighboring country and this country’s Ambassador even complained over Vafa’s position on the issue to President Heydar Aliyev. The same day I immediately granted an interview to mass media to have supported my friend’s position.

Note that the Ambassador was upset, complained of the advisor to the President but strongly skewed by the aide. When I was arguing with an opponent live, Vafa unexpectedly phoned to deliver a lecture to my opponent explaining that he was wrong. 

Beyond any doubt, everyone is unique and inimitable; we had different «differences» of tastes and partialities. If I told him about our young chessplayer’s won at chess and that we won the title of  European champion, he responded that he was not asleep till morning: it was a boxing final, and he explained me how his favorite knocked a rival out in the final round. Professor of boxing (in his youth Vafa went in boxing), he used to say – «Elik, it’s time to hit, a rival uncovered!». «O.K. aqsakal – we’ll hit him in the face», I laughed to prepare an information response on the subject.  

Vafa Guluzade and Eldar Namazov

It must be acknowledged that our last meeting proved to be a requiem of our friendship. I was invited to attend Turan agency for interview. Upon my arrival, journalists said that a friend of yours was waiting for you to come. The same day Vafa Guluzadeh dropped in Turan  (he often visited the agency and had lots of friends among journalists).

He learnt that I would arrive at interview, so he decided to wait for me to come and schmooze. We had a talk but something in his words made me anxious. I inquired about his health. Don’t worry, he said, some frustration. I offered him to go to the country and dispel the gloom. «Let’s go on weekend, Elik, I’d rather go home to take rest». On Sunday I phoned him. He replied that it was raining; let’s wait a little until weather was fine. However, in a few days like a thunderbolt from a clear sky – Vafa was made one with Nature...

Even not a great diplomat and a statesperson of our country, his death proved to be grievous loss for me. We, our country, our state have lost our Friend.

I recall those times when keeping my eye on Victory Parade on December 10 … It’s horrible wrong that heroes that gave their lives for Karabakh independence could not see the Victory Day.

Vafa Guluzade. One of the last photos

Allah rəhmət eləsin!  For me, Vafa Guluzadeh rests in peace in the same pantheon next to our shahids that gave their blood and life for our Motherland!

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2980551538837887&set=pcb.2980555915504116

Published on December 22, 2020