Washington: Former U.S. Congressman Greg Laughlin expressed his admiration for Heydar Aliyev, referring to him as the George Washington of Central Asia, during an event at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United States. Laughlin shared his experiences and insights about Aliyev’s political contributions and influence, particularly highlighting his role in Azerbaijan’s separation from the Soviet Union.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Laughlin recounted an occasion in 1994 when he was asked to introduce President Heydar Aliyev at a conference in New York. During this event, Laughlin delved into Aliyev’s biography and was impressed by his unique position as the only non-Russian member of the Politburo during the Brezhnev years. Laughlin emphasized Aliyev’s significant political activities that contributed to Azerbaijan’s independence from the Soviet Union.
Laughlin also reminisced about a memorial service held in Washington after Aliyev’s passing, where he reiterated his comparison of Aliyev to George Washington. He acknowledged that while there are differences between the two leaders and their respective countries, Aliyev’s impact was undeniably monumental. Laughlin attributed the existence of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, which strategically avoids Russian territory, to Aliyev’s efforts. He praised Azerbaijan for its warm people and religious tolerance, further solidifying his admiration for the nation and its late leader.