Aliyev, Geydar Aliyevich
(b. Azerbaijan, 10 May 1923; d. 12Dec. 2003) Azeri; First Secretary of Azerbaijan 1968–89, President of Azerbaijan 1993–2003 Aliyev was the son of Azeri parents. By the 1960s he had a prospering career in the Azerbaijani KGB, serving as its Deputy Chairman for three years under
Brezhnev's
corrupt friend, S. K. Tsvigun, eventually succeeding him as Chairman. In 1968 Aliyev gained credit for a successful anti-corruption campaign which brought him the highest Republican Party post—First Secretary of Azerbaijan. Thereafter, Aliyev's career prospered at the all-Union level. In 1971 he became a full member of the Central Committee of the ...