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KALBAJAR in 70-80 ies

The social-economic and cultural development experienced by Azerbaijan in 70-ies had it effect even in the highlands of the country. Especially, such advancement temps influenced Kalbajar considered unproductive region and used only for pastures. Because still in 50-60-ies due to Armenians efforts and their adherents in Baku and Moscow to resettle the population of the country, as well as “owing to” myopic policy of some leaders of the republic repeatedly abused the fate of the region. Only great hue of the population and elder people of the region prevented realization of these shady objectives. Kalbajar intellectuals and officials – Safar Verdiyev, Ganbar Gurbanov, Hajibaba Mehdiyev, Gachay Asgarov, Kara, Ahmadov, Avaz Shukurov, Isa Tahmazov, Shukur Shukurov, Tapdig Jafarov, Bahman Jafarov, Ibrahim Farajov, Tahmaz Jafarov and others - clearly realizing what Kalbajar is, played significant role in averting of coming of this “idea” into life. But until 1969 the problem mentioned still remained, and representatives of republic management pressured upon the region officials.
Only after appointment of our All-nation leader Heydar Aliyev as the first secretary of Azerbaijan Communist Party Central Committee the new page in the life of highlands of the republic, including Kalbajar, started.
Heydar Aliyev told the Kalbajar Region Party Secretary already at that time: “In the Central committee and Council of Ministers talks Kalbajar is non-perspective region and fails to justify the anticipations. As if the only way is to move its population to lower areas and to share the territory as the pasture. But this idea always causes suspicion in me. I never believed its sincerity. Thus, I didn’t sign the decision or draft projects relating it………”
 “I consider the opportunities of Kalbajar are boundless, and great volume of works should be realized. I felt before and now feel there were crafty intentions. The population should not be resettled from Kalbajar!”
Kalbajar region of strategic importance geographically located between Armenia and Upper Garabagh. After resettling of population from the territory of about 174 thousand hectares and complete vacation of 128 villages Armenians with no resistance would inhabit the area mentioned and thus, join the Upper Garabagh Autonomous Area (UGAA). In fact Armenia would have acquired the UGAA at that period.
The major development plan of Kalbajar was drawn on basis of proposals of the region party committee, and was ratified by decision “On actions of development of Kalbajar region economy and culture” of Azerbaijan SSR Council of Ministers No. 428 on December 8, 1977.
And Kalbajar considered once unproductive region became rapidly advancing region in 80-ies within the republic as well as the Union.
Certainly, development of economy gave a stimulus to hey-day of social-cultural life. Starting from the 80-ies social life of Kalbajar sustained vital alters.
On December 14, 1983 earthquake of 6 points occurred in Kalbajar. In spring, 1984 several regions of the republic underwent natural disaster. Then due to intensive efforts of the first deputy of USSR Council of Ministers Heydar Aliyev 28 millions of rubles was allocated from state budget. By the decree of Heydar Aliyev, placing high emphasis and concerning on the development and strengthening of the region 20 millions of rubles was allotted for Kalbajar.
Kalbajar city standing social prosperity after 1985 became a great construction area. In “Yukhari Duz” part of the city the erection of “Yeni Kalbajar” (“New Kalbajar”) city called the city of XXI century. The population of the city welcomed the initiative of new city planning. Even the ideas on subbotniks for ensuring of speed and quality in the construction were set forth. The population of the whole city, even of closest villages joined the weekly subbotniks.
It’s appropriate to mention some objects under construction in the city: 3 4-storey residential buildings of 32 apartments, 1 5-storey residential dwelling for 10 families, modern hotel for 60 places, Central Hospital provided with up-to-date equipment with 180 beds, Central Library, music school, house of communication, seismic station, stadium for 5 thousand spectators, fire fighting station, grain plant, heating system and sewerage at estimate of 1 million rubles, Kalbajar-Basarkechar high-voltage electricity cable line, water reservoir of capacity of 10 thousand cubic meters, shooting gallery of 97 thousand rubles, chess school, communal services house for 60 places, building of City council, department store of 16 sections, building of region prosecutor office, school for 1176 pupils, saving bank, Kalbajar history and local lore study museum at estimate of 670 thousand rubles and erected by subbotniks, edition and publishing house, bath-house servicing 50 men per hour, kindergarten of 147 places, building of region People’s court, restoration works at estimate of 7 millions rubles, administrative building for department of region popular schooling, forestry department, asphalt plant, administrative building for Village Technical Union, the workshop of the latter, monument to the victims of War of 1941-1945 and etc.
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