3 journal of azerbaijani studies in search of 'khazar

11. A signature entered history
I was told that I would be invited to the Cabinet of Ministers to have the next - and this time probably the last - discussion. However it was not specified when this discussion was likely to take place. I could only wait. I used it as an opportunity to read, study history, to play chess and to try to rest as much as possible. My situation reminded me that of a soldier who is in a defensive position, who knows he will not be attacked just yet and so is given a chance to have a short and maybe his last rest.

The political situation in the country had descended into total uncertainty, there was a lot of anticipation in the air, everybody was waiting for, hoping for, expecting something very important to happen to the people and the country.

Once I met Fuad Alaskarov (my former rector) by chance.

• 
  My congratulations to you, I was told that you are creating a new university - he said, sounding almost friendly. I was not very pleased that he knew about the university. We had had quite a few major misunderstandings, I knew he was close with Mutallibov, and the relationship between the Prime Minister Hasanov and Mutallibov was quite tense.
  
• 
  Oh, yes, I have been discussing this idea with a few people but it is still very much in my mind - saying this I wanted to cover up the issue as much as I possible.
  

He just replied briefly:

- If I can be of any help, feel free to let me know. I thanked him.

Gorbachev was doing his best to preserve the Soviet Union. He announced a national referendum. The Heads of most of the Soviet Republics supported him. During 7 March 1991 session of the Azerbaijan Supreme Soviet a decision to take part in the national referendum was also made, although there were a lot of people who were against it. The republic's administration was inclined towards Russia, the Popular Front that was calling for an independent Azerbaijan (this organization was by no means free of contradictions either), was being prosecuted, Heydar Aliyev had reappeared again²⁴ and the intelligentsia of the republic was in uncertainty. Society was shaken and was looking for a way forward.

Hasan Hasanov invited me in. Together, we looked through the resolution and constitution texts, then he smiled at me:

• 
  How are you?
  
• 
  Thank you very much, not too bad.
  

- I have no doubt you are not 'too bad'. There is a university being created from nowhere and you are going to head it.

I answered quickly:

- It's not being created from nowhere. You know yourself - "no pain, no gain", without your approval and our efforts, we could not have even set up a kindergarten, let alone university.

The Prime Minister first raised his head and looked at me

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Hamlet ISAXANL1

attentively, then he drew the paper nearer and took the pen. He continued in a friendly manner:

- All right, suppose I sign this now. You are going to make your life interesting by working on this project, and what's my gain in all this?

I have not had an opportunity yet to express my gratitude to the Prime Minister for his sincerity and great help (I admit I am not very good at this).

- Dear Prime Minister, I am sure that up to this day you have signed hundreds of different documents. There must have been very memorable ones among them, and perhaps some of them not quite so. I assure you that you are about to put your signature to something that has a big future. This is an historic signature.

I don't think Hasanov expected such an answer. But the surprised expression of his face was quickly replaced by a very pleased one:

- That was very well said! - And he signed the resolution.²⁵