Kerim Kerimov, who headed the State Commission for Piloted Flights for a quarter of a century, was not only an educated man and a unique specialist, but also an excellent diplomat. Cosmonaut, the first human to conduct extravehicular activity, Alexei Leonov, spoke about his memories of Kerimov in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.
According to him, Kerim Kerimov's tasks included monitoring the condition of carriers, ships, as well as checking the readiness for the flight.
"The State Commission was responsible for everything that happened at the cosmodrome," he said.
According to the cosmonaut, Kerim Kerimov had a great memory and extensive knowledge, he knew everything about technologies.
"In order to control all of this, you have to know a lot. Of course, other people analysed condition and reported to him, but he had to check everything. He had to know everything, cause no mistakes could be made," he explained.
In addition, Kerim Kerimov also had to show his diplomatic talent.
"As the head of the State Commission, he had to meet both Soviet specialists and engineers from socialist countries, like Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Syria, Afghanistan. It was a work at the highest diplomatic level, and he showed a very diplomatic approach, tact, politeness," Alexie Leonov said.
