14. The Weather is Constantly Changing

One more article was published about our university - this time in the "Bakinskiy Rabochiy" on 30 May 1991. The article was entitled "Attention to every detail" and gave information about the new university. The correspondent was talking to me from the very early days and knew all along that I was the originator of the idea and was heading the affair. For some reason he introduced me as a Rector in this article - perhaps he got confused with the messy titles or simply did not pay attention to it.

Rahim muallim was very angry. He did not tell me the reason of his irritation but he mentioned that the minister Feyzullayev was also very offended.

I pretended to be naive:

- Rahim muallim, do you think that the people at the ministry were offended by me being introduced as a rector and not as a prorector?

- Of course, the Minister could not have liked that it is being mentioned over and over again that it is your idea, moreover you are also a rector of the establishment! How about all others involved in it? - He launched a real attack on me.

I answered:

- Rahim muallim, tell the minister for me that as a prorector for academic and research affairs of the English Speaking Azerbaijan University I am ready to bring my most sincere apologies to the rector of this university. If it's not possible now, I promise, I will apologize to him when he is appointed for a sin I have committed once and by aiming at his job while I was only an acting rector. What else can I do, who else shall I apologize to, is there someone else that was offended by this?

Rahim muallim expressed his attitude to my words by simply shaking his head.

The rectors of other universities started expressing interest in our work. It did not seem to me that this sudden interest occurred out of their feeling of benevolence or curiosity. On the contrary, I could tell that we were guaranteed to have cold relationships with four major institutions - Baku State University, Azerbaijan State Economic Institute, Institute of Foreign Languages and Azerbaijan State Institute of Medicine.

The main topic of my meeting with the then rector of Baku State University, the well-known mathematician Mirabbas Qasimov, was the perspectives of the new university and what we had on offer in our international relations department. I was answering Qasimov's questions thoroughly, trying to explain ideology behind the university, explaining how we would be going about establishing wide scope of international relations, marking the special role of English and other foreign languages. Mirabbas muallim seemed affected by this conversation to an extent that he offered our university to become part of the Baku State University and function as one of its schools. "This work needs to be independent and flexible and it would also be very difficult to substantiate it legally" - I said trying to avoid this sudden suggestion.

Shortly after this meeting I got acquainted with Turan Yazgan from Istanbul University, who had come to Baku to organize management courses at INEM. Yazgan was a chairman of "The Turkish World Research Foundation". He had a very sharp personality. "Poor Azeri Turks, once they were obliged to study Russian, and now you are inciting them to study English" - he told me disapprovingly. I was quite upset by this remark. My purpose was misunderstood and wrongly interpreted. English and other foreign languages, to my mind, were a means of getting closer to the rest of the world. The knowledge of foreign languages would give a massive advantage for research and study. On the other hand the foreign languages would enable us to introduce our own culture to the world.

The other reason was that my patriotism was hurt. My love for Azerbaijan, its culture, literature and music is endless. I have always strongly opposed various movements that were directed at weakening the Azerbaijani identity and language. I did realize that education received in English might cause a certain coldness to our own language and culture. Even without endorsement of the English language, the invasion of the western culture in Azerbaijan was evident. One of the things that occupied my mind at that point in time was to teach and research Azerbaijani language, literature, history and culture at our university in a very intensive manner.

I was told that the rector of Azerbaijan State Institute of Medicine Dr. Yagub Mammadov (who later became the head of Parliament and acting President of the country) would like to meet me.

I was at Mammadov's reception right on time. He was obviously waiting for me and started asking questions immediately:

- I was told that you have started a university. Tell me what it is all about?

One could feel from the tome of his voice that he was very much in the attacking spirit. Instead of answering his question I waited for the respectful rector to calm down first.

Yagub muallim slowed down a bit:

- Would you please explain to me what does this English Language University mean?

I gave him a brief description of the university as a whole, and spoke in some detail about the Economics and Management department, the methods of teaching, and talked about importance of new approach to this subject.

Yagub muallim replied:

- Well, I also have departments of political economy and foreign languages, which includes English as well. Couldn’t I organize such a structure within my institute by simply uniting these departments?

I gave him more detailed information, talked about educational programs and curricula, explained to him the purpose of such approach and some peculiarities of it. Yagub muallim seemed more patient now. He asked me about my own education, when and where I got my doctorate degree and about the countries I had traveled to.

Just as our conversation was taking a peaceful turn, he suddenly changed its direction again:

- What is this medical-biological department that you are setting up? Medicine? - He declared not only his surprise but also his objection.

I did not wish the situation to become further complicated and reminded him of the great need we have in specialists in ecology. I reminded him that our medical-biological department would only deal with this area for the time being. Yagub muallim did not agree with me:

- Who signed the resolution on establishment of this university? What rights did this person have?

I answered coldly:

-This is the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers and it was signed by the Prime Minister after the approval of certain Ministries and State Departments

Yagub muallim continued in an angry but ever so slightly compromising tone of voice:

- What ecology is it that you want to teach?

I began to talk about ecology, its relations with biology, medicine, engineering, about mathematical models used in ecology etc. Yagub muallim gradually calmed down, a bit later he even became friendly and I thought that the conflict had been solved.

When I was leaving he told me that he would support me should an opportunity arise. Indeed later he had a chance to prove that he was a man of his word.

The weather was constantly changing, sky was covered with black and gray clouds and the direction of the wind would often change.

...This tightly tied knot of our affairs would be entangled one day. "The clouds full of rain will soon become empty, this is the law of nature".³⁴ The nature was not capricious, it was simply demonstrating its many colors, and teaching us that everything is obeying its laws.

15. Earthquake

We were preparing for the first entrance exams to the university. All the documentation required was put in order and the examination questions were prepared. We were also intending to organize pre-examination consultation sessions and meetings with the potential students and their parents. At the beginning of June, we decided to take some steps to secure positive public opinion. I have mentioned above some articles in the newspapers informing the public about features and advantages of our university. Next, we placed advertisements about the rules of enrollment, necessary documentation and entrance exams.

The strongest medium to reach a wide public, to address the youth and their parents, to encourage them and to answer confidently the questions they were interested in was television. The program we appeared on was broadcast at a very suitable time of the day. The commentator introduced us and asked me to give some information about the university. All my previous television appearances were about mathematics, distant lands, visits and interesting events. This was the most responsible of my television appearances. We (Husseinaga Rzayev, Baylar Hajiyev and I) had to communicate with the audience in a very convincing and sincere manner, to present our university as a necessity for our present and future. I started talking in this direction, about the main values of our university and our plans for the near future. The conversation was flowing so freely and naturally that I even forgot about the presence of the journalist and myself involved Husseinaga muallim and Baylar muallim. Husseinaga muallim spoke about teaching English generally and for specific purposes and Baylar talked about main subjects and entrance exams. The commentator wished every success to this "very important and very timely university" at the end of the program. A group of people working on this program - journalists, producer, and cameramen - gathered around us after the program: "That was excellent", "we are all applauding you".

In matter of days we started receiving numerous telephone calls from Baku and different regions of Azerbaijan. They were all interested in the enrollment procedure for the university. The commentator from the TV program gave us a call and informed us that "We have had no peace from all the telephone calls we are receiving, the viewers are asking to repeat the program".

All this publicity we were doing created an enormous amount of interest and excitement. But as they say "man proposes, God disposes". A human being relaxing under a green tree and listening to the sounds of wind does not think that earthquake will soon take place and turn his world upside down. The blissful days we were having could not prepare me for the disaster that was about to strike.

The journalist of the television program came to see us few days later. He told us that he could sense that the program was met "with dissatisfaction and disapproval by some high rank officials". He told us that the number of requests to repeat the program is so high that the decision was made to repeat it at certain time an date. On that day we sat in front of our television sets but the program was not repeated. The journalist came to apologize and informed us that the videotape with our program had mysteriously disappeared. "I really can not understand what harm could the university bring to anyone..." - he sounded very embarrassed.

In a few days I was visited by a young acquaintance of mine who had a close relationship with the Minister of Education Feyzullayev. He took enormous pleasure in gossiping and carrying various rumors around. He came to see me with news:

- Feyzullayev ordered his employees "to keep away from Hamlet". It seems there are strong forces acting against you. It seems to me, the Minister has been given an ultimatum from the Baku State University and some other institutes. They are demanding that you need to be taught a good lesson.

I took no notice of it. I did not see a great danger. I had doubts that there was any big and serious danger, and if there was a small danger there must be ways of defying it. The threat was so indefinite and uncertain that I did not want to analyze how I would be taught "a good lesson". As it is said in The Koran: (XVII, 36).

"And pursue not that

Of which thou hast

No knowledge; for

Surely the hearing

The sight, the heart

All of those shall be questioned of" ³⁵

It would be fair to say that one of the weaknesses of my character is to be really uninterested in the face of unpleasant rumors, gossips and news, instead of trying to investigate them and establish their source and validity. I assume that I will be able to react when the danger is right beside me. When the danger is close the possibility of hitting the target is greater, but time is short and danger is much greater. In chess in similar situations the neutral move needs to be made on time. Of course it can lead to losing the tempo, but that was not the main reason behind my complacency. In order to investigate the danger I would have to go to meetings with various unpleasant people, and I think my subconscious was putting up a strong resistance to that.

One day Rahim muallim invited me to his office. He looked very thoughtful:

- There was a call from the Ministry of Education, you have to be here today, they have set up a special commission to inspect your work.

- What work? - I said impatiently and let him know how irritated I was, but I also wanted to receive more information.

- They are coming now, let us see what happens. No good will come of it.

Rahim muallim’s reply did not sound very encouraging. I got an impression he did not know himself why this commission was coming.

The delegation of the Ministry of Education was headed by the first deputy Minister Fikrat Babayev. "How is business going?" - he asked me. I gave them some brief information on the current state of affairs and answered some of their insignificant questions. I could easily sense that my enthusiastic replies and the glorious state of affairs were not what they came to hear.

Fikrat muallim put two pages of paper with something printed on them onto the table and said without looking at me:

- It was decided at the ministry that you are not ready for student intake this year. Taking this into consideration we decided to stop your work.

A cold shiver passed through my entire body. I was furious:

- What do you mean we are not ready? Just a second ago I have answered all your questions and demonstrated our complete readiness. Who is that at the ministry that can see from such a distance whether we are ready or not?

The other member of the delegation Khankishiyev tried to calm me:

- Hamlet muallim, the ministry has not come to this decision for no reason. Consultations were held and a resolution was prepared as a result, here it is. I think you have to get acquainted with this document first.

They began to read the statement and I felt myself to be a condemned man listening to the unjust but final decision of the court. ³⁶

When they finished reading the statement, at least two issues became very clear to me:

First, it was obvious, that this statement was full of contradictions and had been worked out hastily, it was not objective and was a formal administrative document. The second issue was more terrifying - a terrible ending was awaiting us. An order has been issued to kill a newborn baby in its cradle, and it was unavoidable. Later it was confirmed in conversations that under the premises of our unreadiness to conduct the entrance exams they wanted to put an end to the entire venture.

The most ridiculous aspect of it all was my being one of the authors of this statement - my signature was demanded under this death sentence. The other noticeable point was the distortion of the date of the statement. The statement was backdated and the date indicated was before any of our advertisements about entrance exams. It had to be demonstrated that they had taken all necessary steps on time. Indeed, this murder was thoroughly planned.

The statement was presented to us already signed by three representatives of the ministry. Fikrat muallim tried to show us that it is all done and dusted:

- You know yourself, and God is a witness, these kind of matters are not solved on my or your level. We have signed it, you should also sign it, one copy is for us and you have to keep the second one.

Rahim muallim also signed the document. Then it was handed over to me. "Farewell, my dream university". I had already pulled myself together after the initial shock and my anxiety has disappeared. My head started operating again.

I took the document and stood thoughtfully with it in my hands. I was handed over a pen, but I refused to take it:

- It would be better to sign this document with my own pen. I do not have a pen with me at the moment, let me keep this document until tomorrow.

I do not think they could understand whether I was joking or being serious. Probably, they thought that I was shaken or did not want to be humiliated in presence of everybody. They let me keep the document but did not hide their dissatisfaction:

- Never mind, let it be tomorrow, sign it and send it to us, or we can come and collect it ourselves.

I came up to Fikrat muallim when he was about to leave the room:

- Fikrat muallim, tell me the truth, what is going on here? What happened all of a sudden?

- Hamlet muallim, your so called friends and non-friends are attacking. The matter has already been agreed on, we are simply the messengers. Do not trouble yourself, it will not help.

I returned back to Rahim muallim. I wanted to know his personal opinion. It was obvious that he was upset about it. He had much more experience with high rank officials than me, and he accepted everything without question:

- Hamlet, son, if there was a slight opportunity to change the situation I would sense it and would have told you about it. You offended those people without any reason. This statement would have never been issued if it had not been agreed on highest possible level. Did you see I had to sign it too? It's useless to isolate yourself; nobody will benefit from it, including yourself. Life will go on, you will still do a lot of things. Sign the paper and send it tomorrow. You should understand that they could easily solve this matter without your signature.

I said good-bye to Rahim muallim and decided to go home. But first I went for a walk at the shore of Khazar (Caspian Sea). I wanted to recover. When I am in high spirits I am strongly attracted to high mountain peaks covered in snow. In my despair I was longing for the sea. The sea is very mysterious. Every time I look at it, it brings out different feelings in me. Sometimes it is tranquil, its waves are kissing one another, its shades are emerald and blue, the sun rays and the moon light dance smoothly in its waters and give rise to the most beautiful dreams. Sometimes it is dark and unattainable, angry and inconsistent and it makes me drunk with sadness and nostalgia, makes me feel powerless. Sometimes all these feelings unite and create a feeling close to anxiety. I spent a few hours looking at the sea. I left all my confused feelings, fears and dreams at the seaside and returned home.

16. Revolt

June proved to be a very hot month for us. All our meaningful and exciting days full of newspaper and television advertisements, student and parent appeals suddenly were replaced by the order of the joint commission of the Ministry of Education and Institute of the National Economy Management to stop our activities. "After long consultations" it was decided to include five people into the commission: three officials from the Ministry of Education, the rector of the Institute of National Economy Management and myself, the head of the new university.

Four of those that had signed the document had no doubts that I would sign it too. The Soviet ways of believing that everybody always has the same opinion was applied in this situation. The Soviet society did not forgive those "who opposed the society".

But I was not going to give up my work or leave it incomplete. For some reason I had a firm belief in the future of this university. It was my vocation and my duty to make this idea become a reality. I could not leave it, it was in my blood and soul. There was only one way left - to rebel.

The revolt was inevitable. I would never sign this statement, no matter what the consequences were likely to be. I would not be satisfied with this situation and I would attack. A great politician said "to be always in defense will sooner or later bring you to defeat".³⁷ I had to be ready for anything. I spent the whole night thinking about it and putting some of my thoughts onto paper.

... I have hated lies and hypocrisy since my childhood. And now a false statement was prepared and I was asked to sign it and to hypocritically condemn my own work.

The decision of this commission would never be considered valid if I did not put my signature on it. If they set up a new commission without including me, it would be very difficult to work out another statement similar to the first one, and it would probably contradict the order of the Cabinet of Ministers. This judicial vacuum would enable me to continue my revolt.

Any kind of sensation caused would bring no gain to the officials. They would never want to demonstrate that they were opposing something that is right, modern and useful.

I was also convinced that those people who are in this commission must have some inner feeling of unease. They were committing wrong and they knew about it. Perhaps if the situation changed, they would be quite pleased and will have chance to wash away their sin (the longer my night long analysis lasted, the more I was getting into the psychological motivation of the people involved in this situation).

The Prime Minister must have been informed about all this. I knew that he had more important things on his mind rather than the destiny of the new university. Political tension and palace intrigues were deepening. If his political opponents and their allies that happened to be heads of the various educational establishments could not accept the new university, the Prime Minister was not going to object to the removal of the ‘problem’ by means of a single resolution.

The commission members would not make a step back, their self-esteem and importance would not allow it to happen. As a last resort I must offer at least one concession that would be acceptable for both sides. Assuming that my opponents and the officials were concerned with being able to settle the conflict peacefully, my alternative suggestion could be useful. It might even be accepted with some gratitude. The only sensible alternative I could come up with was to replace the enrollment that we had already announced by the enrollment of students for preparatory courses. To the government officials this could mean that they had achieved what they wanted with an insignificant concession and for us it would mean that although we had been thrown back, our activities were carrying on.

I had a clear plan of action. I would refuse to sign the statement prepared by the Ministry of Education. I would prepare a document that would demonstrate that I categorically disagree with this statement. If anyone would put together these two documents, one that is prepared by a person who knows the ins and outs of the problem and another one prepared by government officials, he or she would immediately see that the government statement is ill-intentioned.

I came to see Rahim muallim and said without any introduction:

- Rahim muallim, on no account I am going to sign this statement. It is based on injustice and false information. If there exists a commission that can make a decision about the university and if I am a member of it, I have right to express my opinion. Here is my opinion. I have prepared a supplement to this statement. I would like you to read it before I send it to the Ministry of Education³⁸

Rahim Muallim read the document in silence. He did not utter a word after finishing it, just picked up a phone and called the Ministry of Education, the members of the commission came and picked up "the supplement to the statement". I do not know what went on behind the closed doors. But I think I fired a very successful shot. The answer was unpredictable; it could even be an explosion of great strength.

17. "The taming of the shrew" or "we live again in this world" ³⁹

My written objection to the statement of annulment prepared by the Ministry of Education could not have been left without response. Minister Feyzullayev was very prudent person. He would never give an official opinion on anything that could be potentially sensational or risky. He did not like to leave his traces anywhere. His name was not even mentioned in the statement of abolition.

The Minister's next step was to try to ensure that he had an official confirmation that the opinion of the great majority of people was that "the preparatory work was unsatisfactory and insufficient". It was necessary to isolate the capricious man to tame him. The Administrative and Academic Council of INEM was invited to discuss the matter. There was no doubt that the Council would agree with the principal points of "the act of abolition".

They also made sure that they defeated me morally. I received an anonymous call from the Ministry of Education. An authoritative voice ordered me to acknowledge my mistakes during the meeting of the Administrative and Academic Council and to accept the resolution of the commission. I was also told to admit that my response was written in a moment of weakness and that I was to take it back. Before I had any chance to reply, the caller hung up.

I only knew two or three members of the INEM Council. I had a good working relationship with the prorector of the institute, Doctor Vahid Akhundov. I was very keen to find a specialist who would be able to teach an Introduction to Economics course based on Samuelson’s book, which was quite contrary to the way economics was taught in the Soviet universities⁴⁰. Akhundov had offered his services and was looking forward to teaching the course. He had gained a lot of respect for his intellect and modesty (he is now is a consultant to the President of Azerbaijan on Economic Affairs).

When Akhundov found out the agenda of the Council’s session, he wanted to hear my side of the story. After a brief exchange of opinions he told me that he was supporting me fully.

Before the meeting Rahim muallim invited me to his office and warned me: "You will have to make a speech. Try to be reasonable and calm. Let us not make enemies with the Ministry".

The meeting began. After a brief discussion of some current issues Rahim muallim said: "The commission organized by the Ministry of Education, of which Hamlet and myself are members, have conducted an investigation on the preparedness of the university to enroll students. Now Hamlet will tell you about the decision at which we arrived".

I objected to the work of the commission in my speech and described our state of complete readiness to enroll students for the forthcoming educational year. Vahid Akhundov spoke after me and described how important this university was and that it was opening a new era in our educational system. He also said that the work conducted by us was sufficient to be able to enroll students.

Rahim muallim addressed the members of the council in a discontented way: "Who else has an opinion?" Jafar Valiyev (now the Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission) said that he did not know enough about the university to be able to judge, but on the other hand he had little faith in the work of the commission. Then people started speaking from their seats interrupting each other: "It's a new and interesting work", "they are doing exciting things, working day and night", "nobody is willing to help them, let us at least try not to build obstacles in their way". Quite frankly, I did not expect such a positive reaction from the members of the Council. At least it was clear that the act prepared by the commission would not be approved and I jumped at the chance to receive official support:

- Rahim muallim, I think we should ask Council to make an official statement by voting.

Rahim muallim looked very embarrassed. The council that he headed did not obey him. He was also very angry with me. If by sending the ‘supplement to the statement’ to the Ministry of Education I expressed my objection and disrespect to the officials from ‘above’, my victory would be considered by some as a direct challenge to him, to his prestige (although it was never my intention). Rahim muallim suddenly said: "That is enough, we have finished" and closed the meeting.

It was evident that the discussion was entirely in my favor, but I had a strong feeling of disappointment. It was obvious that there was no way for truce anymore and undoubtedly new measures would be taken to suppress my revolt. I could not even think what other actions they are going to undertake in order to teach me a lesson. Allah helps us.

For a few days nothing happened. Then Rahimov told me that we were going to see the Prime Minister the next day. Since the resolution on the establishment of the university was issued I had not seen the Prime Minister. I had stopped meeting Feyzullayev too. The Minister was discussing all the university problems with Rahimov.

I was expecting that the next exchange of opinions would take place at the Ministry of Education. For some reason I was looking forward to the battle with Feyzullayev. But Feyzullayev seemed reluctant to have one. I suppose it was because he did not like the idea of two former rather friendly colleagues standing face to face in conflict. My ‘supplement to the statement’ was based on facts, he knew my nature quite well, and he also knew that I was going to stand my ground in the issue. I suppose all of these made him more reluctant to meet me.

On the eve of our meeting with Prime Minister Hasanov I was feeling restless. Somehow I knew that I would not be given a "hearty welcome".

Hasanov's assistant invited us into his office. As we were walking to the door, Rahimov suddenly said: "You wait here for a moment" - and entered Hasanov’s office and shut the door after himself! I was confused and embarrassed. I had no doubt that the situation would be definitely against me now. I was trying to amuse myself by moving my fingers on my knees as if playing piano and my eyes were watching the arrows on my watch. Twenty-five minutes passed. Rahim muallim came out at last and asked me to go in. He himself remained seated in the waiting room.

I wanted to hope that the Premier wished to see me because he had already received the official version of the story and now he wanted to listen to my side of the story. When I saw the expression on his face I knew that the situation was much darker and more unpleasant. He showered me with his fury:

- What is going on here? Why have you created havoc? You respect neither government, nor those who are elder than you. You can not find a common language with anyone and you never listen to any advice. Is this some kind of anarchy for you? I must have really mistaken when I thought I knew you.

I did not expect such a sharp condemnation and could not accept it.

- Let me...

- What else do you want? Everything is perfectly clear to me. You quit the Party, you do not get on with the Ministry, and you have offended and quarreled with Rahim muallim.

I realized that it was absolutely useless to wait for him to finish. The Prime Minister wanted to prove that I was unjust and a troublemaker. And he was using words and expressions that I could not possibly accept.

- Excuse me, but the situation is quite different from the way you describe it. Let me...

- Do you mean now that I am wrong too? According to you everybody is wrong! Couldn't you just concentrate on your own business? You should have told me in advance that you are not capable of getting on with people and this situation would have never occurred.

I became furious. The Prime Minister went on accusing me of all possible sins and would not allow me to utter a word. This was complete injustice. I did not want to listen to this anymore, one who is already wet is not afraid of rain. I stood up and said:

- Respectable Prime Minister, why have you invited me here if you do not want to listen to me? You obviously believe everything you are told about me, but for some reason you do not want to hear what I have to say. May be what I will say is more believable and reasonable. Four or five months ago you considered me capable and resourceful, you signed the resolution and entrusted me with this work. And since then I have done all that I could in order to put your resolution into practice. Since then you have never expressed any interest in my work, in any problems that I had, and have believed all biased information you received about me. You can think what you want, but I can not accept these charges. Either give me opportunity to work or annul the resolution that you created, and let me get on with my life.

I think my words had some effect on Hasanov and he said in much calmer voice:

- Fine, we can listen to you too. I got a little angry, and so did you. Let us have a quiet conversation. So can you tell me about this agitation that you have caused?

I tried to describe him the situation briefly, covering only important facts. At times he asked me quick questions. At some point he asked me why I left the Party and then just waved his hand and said "never mind". Then he called his assistant and said:

- Bring here the statement of the Committee and Hamlet's answer to it.

My supplement to the statement was brought in but they could not find the statement itself. I have a feeling it was not accidental - putting these two documents side by side would not be in favor of the authors of the statement.

I had brought both of the documents with me. I showed them to Hasanov. He said as though he was trying me (or may be that what he was really thinking):

- If all these people have signed it, it means that this was meant to be.

I said:

- If there is a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, if must be carried out. If I am charged with the task to fulfill it and if I am successful in implementing it, how can I possibly accept the statement that denies it? By signing it I would announce myself guilty. They will say that he had given him a task, and he had to admit his inability and had to walk away from it with shame. On the other hand, if indeed it is too early and we are not ready to set up such a university, then let the Cabinet of Ministers pass a new resolution in order to annul the university that was considered to be so important just three months ago!

I tried to direct the conversation from discussion of my personal ‘inability to get on with people’ to the main problem - the university. I think that those few monologues I managed to have in between our dialogues yielded some results. Hasanov had calmed down and the beginning of this story, our first conversations and enthusiasm were revived in his memory and the misinformation fed to him by my opponents started to lose its effect. He admitted after some debate and exchange of views that the statement prepared by the special commission was groundless. But it was obvious that there were some powerful forces behind this act of abolition. Although the Prime Minister did not specifically talk about these forces, it was obvious from his demeanor. He was deliberating while responding to my suggestions and for me his hesitation meant that he was having to mentally consider others’ opinions.

Hasanov felt particularly strongly about one issue and he mentioned it to me a few times:

- Why do not you get along with Rahim muallim? He is a wise, experienced man, he can be really helpful to you, why are you so impatient with him?

- I have a feeling of great respect towards Rahim muallim and I have never showed him or his age any disrespect. I simply want to be able to work independently...

The Prime Minister again flew into a rage:

- What freedom, what independence are you talking about? Do you know for example who I am? Yes, I am the Prime Minister, and I can not appoint a single Minister or the deputy Minister by myself.

I said:

- And do you really think that this is right? Of course not, it can not be right. Wouldn't it be so much better if everybody could take independent decision within the frameworks of their duty?

I think Hasanov’s opinion of me as an excessively ambitious man only increased after my last words and he decided to show me that I was only an actor playing a supporting role in all this.

- You should understand that you are neither Gorbachev nor Pavlov ⁴¹ in this particular work...

I did not even want to ask him who are then Gorbachev and Pavlov of this work. I just said:

- Probably my role in this corresponds to that of Yavlinsky. ⁴²

- Exactly, you are absolutely right. You have given the ideas, you are looking for ways of realizing them, but you are by no means first in administering them, although you have been given a sufficiently responsible position.

This statement did not satisfy or flatter me but I was quite excited by the strange game of comparisons we were playing:

- May be one of the reasons of perestroyka not becoming a success is that people like Yavlinsky, who prepared the programs on economic reforms, were kept as far away as possible from administering them? Believe me, I am not power mad and I am far from a careerist. But with your blessing we have started a very good work and my only aim is to take this work further. I am convinced that we are at the beginning of a very interesting, meaningful and different road.

After we said all we wanted to say to each other Hasanov invited Rahim muallim in and said that his recommendation would be that the university should begin its activity with the preparatory courses. He said it would be sufficient to agree this at the INEM Council meeting and pass appropriate resolution without referring the matter to the Ministry of Education.