Activity of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic's

100 years of diplomatic service of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Fakhri VALEHOGHLU-HAJIYEV Doctor of History ACTIVITY OF AZERBAIJAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC’s DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN GEORGIA Conclusion. See the beginning in IRS-Heritage 2-3(39-40), 2019

zerbaijan’s diplomatic representative in Georgia postal and bank transfers of money to Azerbaijan, the was authorized to hold talks and sign docu- Sakartvelo newspaper reported on August 11, 1918 (4). Aments on behalf of the Azerbaijan Democratic An agreement was reached in Tiflis in November Republic’s government. The Kavkazskoye Slovo 1918 to hold a Transcaucasian conference to be joined (“Caucasus word”) newspaper reported in its issue re- by Azerbaijani, Georgian, Armenian and North Caucasus leased on August 4, 1918 that the Azerbaijani govern- (Mountaineers Union) representatives. A decision was ment had vested general oversight over the work of passed that Azerbaijan would be represented at the Azerbaijani diplomats accredited in various govern- event by Dr. M. Vakilov and the diplomatic representa- ment agencies of the Republic of Georgia in diplomatic tive in Georgia, M. Y. Jafarov (5). Armenian representa- representative Mammad Yusif Jafarov (1). tives did not attend the conference, which started with Another issue of the mentioned newspaper said that its first session on November 14, 1918. Therefore, the M. Y. Jafarov had attended a meeting held at Georgia’s Georgian representatives brought further holding of Ministry of Justice to discuss division of the cases that the conference into question. were being reviewed by the Azerbaijani and Georgian Taking the floor during the debate, M. Y. Jafarov said judiciary bodies (2). that this event, in fact, had not taken place and sug- Jafarov took part in the talks focusing on the release gested declaring the start of a new conference with the of joint bonds (securities) designated for financial, mon- participation of the representatives of the three repub- etary and lending transactions among the three South lics who were in attendance, i.e. Azerbaijan, Georgia Caucasus republics in the fall of 1918 and inked final and the Mountaineers Union. However, this proposal agreements concluded as a result of the discussions. was rejected by the representatives of Georgia and It is noteworthy that on July 20, 1918, the Georgian Northern Caucasus (6). and Armenian governments signed an agreement on The conference was therefore postponed after two the release of 200 million South Caucasus Commissariat to three sessions due to the absence of Armenian del- bonds without notifying the Azerbaijani side beforehand. egates and resumed at the Georgian Foreign Ministry’s The Azerbaijani government lambasted the move (3). building on April 27, 1919. In the wake of the Azerbaijani ambassador’s pro- The Azerbaijani diplomatic representative had in- testing the re-issue of bonds, the government of formed the Georgian foreign minister that final discus- the Democratic Republic of Georgia (DRG) banned sions were due to be held at the forthcoming confer-

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The archives of Georgia store documents reflecting the relations of the ADR with the Georgian Republic in 1918-1920 ence with Armenia regarding disputed territories, ask- ing him not to leave relevant matters at the discretion of the Armenian representatives to avoid further mis- understanding (7). M. Y. Jafarov had already wrapped up his diplomatic mission in Georgia by that time and was serving as Azerbaijan’s foreign minister. Jafarov, who was appointed to this position on March 14, 1919, held that post till December 22 before being elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Afterwards, Fariz Bay Vakilov (Vakilli) headed Azerbaijan’s diplomatic representation in Georgia for about 11 months (March 1919-February 1920) (8) while retaining his previous position as the deputy chief of mission and further served in the capacity of diplomatic representative until the fall of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in April 1920. Fariz Bay Vakilov (1886-1978), who was born in Tiflis to the family of Ibrahim Agha Vakilov, Major-General on Topography, was an engineer. Just like his predeces- sor, M. Y. Jafarov, he made a significant contribution to the development of Azerbaijani-Georgian relations while heading the diplomatic mission. He held meet- ings with representatives of some Western countries, defended Azerbaijan’s stance on pivotal issues and signed a number of important documents on behalf of the Azerbaijani government. Many major publications based in Tiflis remained committed to their practice of covering the activity of Azerbaijan’s diplomatic representation in Georgia and further collaborated with the diplomatic mission during F. Vakilov’s tenure. Georgia celebrated its independence anniversary on The Russian language Vozrozhdeniye newspaper May 26, 1919 shortly before the ADR independence an- released the following announcement undersigned niversary. The Sakartvelo newspaper published a con- by Khuramovich, the diplomatic mission’s secretary, gratulatory letter written by ADR Prime Minister Nasib in its second issue published on May 28, 1919, “The Bay Usubbayov (Yusifbayli) on behalf of his government Azerbaijani diplomatic representative will accept con- over this remarkable date. gratulatory messages over the first anniversary of the “On this festive day marking the anniversary of the Azerbaijan Republic’s independence at 3 Paskevich materialization of the Georgian people’s national ideals, Street from noon to 2 o’clock”. No lessons will be held at the government of the Azerbaijan Republic would like the mission at this time,” the report said (9). to share this great joy with the free nation,” the letter Furthermore, an announcement of the Muslim com- said. “The Azerbaijani government extends congratu- munity of Tiflis, published in the same issue of the news- lations over the historic date of Georgia’s revival and paper, informed readers that a solemn service was due strongly believes that the Republic of Georgia, a friendly at 10 a.m. on May 28 at the Juma Mosque located on state for the Azerbaijan Republic, will seal full victory the city’s Botanika (Botany) Street on the occasion of the and assert itself as a sovereign state” (11). ADR independence anniversary (10). Sakartvelo reported further, citing Azerbaijan’s It is noteworthy that the Democratic Republic of diplomatic mission in Georgia, that the Circassians had www.irs-az.com 35 100 years of diplomatic service of the Republic of Azerbaijan

revolted against Denikin’s Volunteer Army and that artil- handed over an official note. lery installations had been brought in from Petrovsk, in “Your Excellency, my government has been receiv- addition to new military units of the Volunteer Army, in ing information on a daily basis about the pressure and order to quell the uprising (12). persecution of Muslims by the Armenian government Sakartvelo, a mouthpiece of the Georgian National in the Irevan governorate and the Nakhchivan province,” Democratic Party, said in its issue released on July 18, the message said. “Regular Armenian military units are 1919 that Fariz Bay Vakilov had expressed protest to the being sent to Muslim-populated villages and they are Georgian interior minister, addressed to all Armenians, razing those villages to the ground, sparing no women in a report circulated by Kavkazskoye Slovo, a Tiflis- and children. Hundreds of residents fleeing the de- based Russian language newspaper published with stroyed villages cross Tiflis every day, seeking rescue in the aid of the Armenian bourgeoisie. This protest was Azerbaijan. Muslims from the Irevan governorate have also a response to the appeals defying the Azerbaijani been temporarily transferred to the Armenian govern- government. The article said further that F. Vakilov had ment’s control against their will and in accordance with notified the interior minister of the fact that the official the will of the Allied Powers. Prior to the announcement reports released by the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission’s of this measure, the British command received a num- information bureau had not been published in all of ber of letters from public organizations expressing pro- the Press Bureau-affiliated newspapers. Afterwards, the test over such a solution of the problem.” Georgian minister heeded attention to the news reports The Azerbaijani government’s note said further that regarding neighboring republics and issued orders to the mentioned letters of protest clearly indicated that publish all of the media content provided by diplomatic the developments that occurred recently “provided missions in local newspapers (13). no assurance of the Armenian government’s unbiased Official correspondence dating back to 1919-1920 treatment of Muslims and triggered their serious con- indicates that Fariz Bay Vakilov had fulfilled instructions cern regarding their fate. It has now become crystal of the central government bodies promptly and reliably. clear that this fear was well-grounded. ADR Foreign Minister M. Y. Jafarov said in a message “While emphasizing that I am not authorized to inter- dated July 9, 1919 and sent to F. Vakilov that it was nec- fere with the internal affairs of the provinces temporarily essary to deliver a letter to the British command in the handed over by the Allied Powers to the administration South Caucasus expressing Azerbaijan’s protest over of the Republic of Armenia, I express decisive protest on the instances of violence against Muslims in Armenia behalf of my government and for the sake of humane- (14). Therefore, F. Vakilov discussed the situation facing ness over any acts of violence against civilian Muslim the Muslims in Armenia in a meeting with Maj.-Gen. population committed by the Armenian government G. N. Cory, the commander of British armed forces (al- and consider it my duty to warn against potential bitter lied troops) in Transcaucasia, held on July 12, 1919, and ramifications of such actions,” the message said.

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The Azerbaijani government noted that reports concerning the woes faced by Muslims in the Nakhchivan province have rightly alarmed scores of fellow believ- ers residing in the borderline regions of Azerbaijan and Armenia and prompted their aspiration to stand up for the innocent people who are suffering. The government said it was doing everything possible to appease the public and prevent potential incidents. “Having notified Your Excellency of the above- mentioned facts, I insistently request that you exert the power of your influence and urge the Armenian government in a proper manner to put an end to the re- pressions against Muslims,” it added (15). In a similar message sent to the High Commissioner of the Allied Powers to Armenia, V. N. Haskell, on December 30, 1919, F. Vakilov noted that the Muslim- populated villages in the Irevan governorate and Zangazur were being ravaged by Armenian armed units; local residents are faced with cruel reprisals and that Muslim refugees from the Irevan and Kars prov- a great number of people displaced from those villages inces would be barred from entering Azerbaijani ter- have arrived in Tiflis en route to Azerbaijan. In his letter, ritories in the future. Given that this measure enacted Vakilov requested taking urgent action to prevent the by the minister deprived tens of thousands of home- brutal mass killings of civilians and the elimination of less and destitute Muslims of the only opportunity to the residential areas settled by Muslims (16). save themselves physically from cold, hunger and bru- Azerbaijani officials sent a number of such letters tal extermination by the Armenians, we request that the and cables to Haskell. The text of one of these tele- Patronage Minister reverse this decision, which could grams, which was sent to him on December 14, 1919, cause numerous deaths among innocent Muslims, who was published in the “Borba” (“Struggle”) newspaper run see Azerbaijan as their only defender” (18). by the Georgian Social-Democrats (17). The Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Georgia also An ADR Patronage Ministry representative (agent) reached out to the Turkic Muslim population affected was assigned to the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in by the Akhalsikh (Akhiska) disaster, allocating finan- Georgia to deal with the problems of Muslim refugees cial aid worth 200,000 Rubles on April 5, 1919 on the from Armenia. instruction of the central government to the Muslims The Vozrozhdeniye newspaper reported in its issue suffering in the aftermath of an exacerbating ethnic rift released on January 6, 1920, referring to the “Azerbaijan” (19). Moreover, an agency of the Finance Ministry was newspaper, that this representative had allocated 20 established, in addition to the Patronage Ministry. The Rubles to each of the refugees and covered their trans- agency was designated to serve as a correspondent in- portation expenses. However, the allocated amount was stitution of the Azerbaijan State Bank (20). insufficient for the refugees and they further sought fi- On January 11, 1920, a decision was passed at the nancial aid from the Muslim province of Tiflis and some Supreme Council of the Paris Peace Conference on of them died of cold on the spot. the proposal of Lord Curzon on de-facto recogni- Vozrozhdeniye published a similar report in the tion of Azerbaijan and Georgia’s independence by the same issue. Allied Powers. F. Vakilov, deputy chief of mission at the “The leaders of the Muslim communities of Irevan Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Georgia, sent a cable and Kars, Zeynalov and Najafov, sent a cable to Baku to to ADR Foreign Minister Fatali Khan Khoyski in this re- Prime Minister Usubbayov and the parliament speaker,” gard on January 14, 1920. the report said. “The telegram said a letter addressed to “Wardrop (British Chief Commissioner for the Azerbaijani Patronage Ministry representative based Transcaucasia Oliver Wardrop – F.V.-H.) told me today at the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Tiflis indicated that ‘Lord Curzon had suggested to the Supreme www.irs-az.com 37 100 years of diplomatic service of the Republic of Azerbaijan

a letter dated April 19, 1920 (24). The consular department, which operated for just a few days, was headed by Rzagulu Najafov, a brother of Aligulu Gamkusar, a fa- mous poet and publicist. R. Najafov (1884-1937), a well-known educator, worked in the media for many years. Najafov was a reporter for the “Molla Nasraddin” magazine and also served as deputy editor-in-chief of the Azerbaijani language “Yeni Fikir” (“New Thought”) newspaper published in Tiflis during the Soviet period. Moreover, he held the position of editor-in-chief of the “Dan Ulduzu” magazine and served as deputy chairman of the New Transcaucasia Alphabet Committee and as the director of the Tiflis-based Turk (Azerbaijan) State Drama Theater. According to available sources, an officer holding the rank of colonel with the last name Aliyev served as the military attache at the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Georgia (25). Talyshinski held the post of assistant secretary and an employee named Khuramovich served as the secretary at the diplomatic representation. The ADR diplomatic mission had to discontinue Council de-facto recognizing the independence of its operation in late April 1920 due to the establish- Georgia and Azerbaijan, and the proposal was adopted ment of the Soviet rule in Azerbaijan. The “Sakartvelos unanimously’. Lord Curzon asked Wardrop to notify the Respublika” newspaper reported on April 30 that the Georgian and Azerbaijani governments formally in this diplomatic mission in Tiflis had stopped issuing all types respect. People are rejoicing here. The government is re- of references and entry permits (26). Furthermore, dip- ceiving congratulatory messages over the recognition lomatic ties were forged to a certain extent between of our independence. I cordially congratulate You and the Soviet Azerbaijan and the Democratic Republic our government on this festive occasion. I will further of Georgia, which had managed to maintain its pres- notify you of relevant details,” the telegram said (21). ence about nine months longer than the ADR. Muslum On January 14, 1920, Georgia’s parliament hosted a Israfilov was appointed the diplomatic representative of special session dedicated to the de-facto recognition of the Soviet Azerbaijan in Georgia. the country’s independence. F. Vakilov, the head of the The Ertoba (translated from Georgian as “Unity”) Azerbaijani diplomatic mission, was among the diplo- newspaper, a mouthpiece of the Georgian Social- mats who attended the event. Democrats, reported on September 29, 1920 that M. Furthermore, a solemn reception was held at the Israfilov, a representative of the Azerbaijani Soviet building housing the ADR diplomatic representation in Socialist government, had submitted his credentials in Georgia to mark international recognition of Azerbaijan’s a meeting with Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister K. independence on January 15, 1920. The Vozrozhdeniye Sabakhtarashvili (27). newspaper, which published a respective announce- ADR also operated another diplomatic representa- ment, said Georgia and Azerbaijan had always joined tion in Georgia, namely, a consulate in the Black Sea effort in their quest for independence, adding that the town of Batum, from November 1918. The opening of Georgians shared the joy of their Muslim neighbors (22). that consulate was necessitated by the fact that the It is worth mentioning that the Azerbaijani diplomatic Batum seaport was pivotal for Azerbaijan’s economic mission in Georgia was based on 5 Daviti Street (23). and trade ties with the Ottoman state and Western A separate consular department was opened un- countries. Dr. Mahmud Bay Afandiyev was appointed der the diplomatic representation in April 1920. F. to the post of consul in Batum in accordance with the Vakilov, who headed the mission at the time, reported order issued by the ADR foreign minister on November to Foreign Minister Fatali Khan Khoyski in this regard in 7, 1918 (28).

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In a letter dated January 15, 1919 and addressed in the area of the diplomatic mission, in compliance to the ADR Council of Ministers chairman and Foreign with a decree issued by the ADR Council of Ministers Minister F. Khoyski, M. Afandiyev wrote that Dr. Aziz Bay on March 26, 1919 (31). In May 1919, the Azerbaijani Gadimbayov, whose “work ethic and moral qualities” he consulate provided financial assistance worth 10,000 was closely familiar with, had been appointed secre- Rubles to the Batumi Turkish School (32). tary at the consulate. In his letter, Afandiyev also said A department of commerce was set up under the that Safvat Aghayev (from Shaki), a dedicated patriot consulate on September 27, 1919. Representatives of who was known well for his activity as part of the Baku the Ministries of Roads, Commerce and Industry, and Muslim Charitable Society in Batum, would serve as the Food were involved in running the department (33). clerk, as well as submitted a cost estimate of the consul- In October 1919, the diplomatic representation in ate for 1919 (29). Batumi became the Azerbaijani Consulate General and A total of 15,000 Rubles was allocated from the a correspondent institution of the Azerbaijan State state budget for the Azerbaijani consulate in Batum on Bank. Simultaneously, a decision was made to open a February 17, 1919. Furthermore, 25,000 Rubles were al- representation of Azerbaijan’s Finance Ministry under located on February 27, 10,000 Rubles on April 7 and the Consulate General’s commerce department (34). 40,000 Rubles on May 4. Thus, the state funding for the A commerce agency of the Azerbaijan Railway consulate totaled 90,000 Rubles in the first five months Office was founded in Batum as well. In accordance of 1919 (30). In addition, funds worth 10,000 Rubles were with the agreement signed on April 17, 1919 by its head, designated as assistance to Azerbaijani citizens residing Teymur Bay Malik-Aslanov, and mining engineer Emerio www.irs-az.com 39 100 years of diplomatic service of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Matiyevich, who represented F. A. Matiyevich and Co Despite outstanding border-related issues with the Trade House, the last representative of the Azerbaijan DRG, good neighborly ties and reliable partnership Railway Office in Batum and a commercial agent were were established and diplomatic missions were opened appointed (35). in both countries. “The ADR’s consulate in Batum played an important Fact-based data, official archival documents dating role in ensuring the transshipment of the country’s back to 1918-1920, as well as Georgian and Russian lan- cargo at the Batum seaport, handling disputes regard- guage media reports published in Tiflis, lead to a con- ing vehicles, rail cars and cistern cars, as well as regu- clusion that the Azerbaijani diplomatic missions that lating issues concerning diplomatic courier and postal were active in the Georgian capital and Batum in that services” (36). time period successfully fulfilled their tasks in line with In a nutshell, the ADR government, which was pur- the state interests. suing a skilled foreign policy, managed to establish co- operation with numerous countries based on mutually References: beneficial dialogue and to set up diplomatic institutions in some countries representing strategic importance. 1. «Кавказское слово» qəzeti, 1918, 4 avqust, In doing so, it was prioritizing the neighboring coun- № 163. tries, in particular, the Democratic Republic of Georgia. 2. «Кавказское слово» qəzeti, 1918, 31 iyul.

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3. Q.Əliyev. Azərbaycan xalq cümhuriyyətinin Gürcüstanla iqtisadi əməkdaşlığı (1918-1920-ci illər), “GEO Strategiya”, 2013, №03 (15), s.29-34. 4. “Sakartvelo” qəz., 1918, 11 avqust, № 158, s. 2. 5. “Azərbaycan” qəz., 1918, 11 noyabr, № 32 (Bax: Азербайджанская Демократическая Республика. Внешняя политика (документы и материалы), Баку, 1998, с. 95). 6. Документы и материалы по внешней политике Закавказья и Грузии, Тифлис, 1919, с. 432-434. 7. “Sakartvelo” qəz., 1919, 27 aprel, № 90, s. 2. 8. “Azərbaycan” qəzeti, 1920, 6 fevral, № 20 (Bax: Азербайджанская Демократическая Республика. Внешняя политика …, 1998, с. 543). 9. «Возрождение» qəz., 1919, 28 may, № 2, s.1. 10. «Возрождение» qəz., 1919, 28 may, № 2, s.1. 11. “Sakartvelo” qəz., 1919, 28 may, № 108, s. 3. 12. “Sakartvelo” qəz., 1919, 3 iyun, № 112, s. 3. 13. “Sakartvelo” qəz., 1919, 18 iyul, № 150, s. 2. 14. ARDA, f. 970, s. 1, iş 54, v. 50 (Bax: Азербайджанская Демократическая Республика. Внешняя поли- 28. ARDA, f. 970, s. 2, iş 157, v. 1-2 (Bax: тика …, с. 291-292). Азербайджанская Демократическая Республи 15. “Sakartvelo” qəz., 1919, 15 iyul, № 147, s. 2; ка. Внешняя политика …, с. 202-203). ARDA, f. 897, s. 1, iş 38, v. 69 (Bax: Азербайд- 29. ARDA, f. 970, s. 1, iş 43, v. 1 (Bax: Азербайджанская жанская Демократическая Республика. Внеш- Демократическая Республика. Внешняя поли- няя политика …, с. 292-293). тика …, с. 141-142). 16. ARDA, f. 897, s. 1, iş 38, v. 364 (Bax: Азербайд- 30. ARDA, f. 970, s. 2, iş 84, v. 17 (Bax: Азербайджанская жанская Демократическая Республика. Внеш- Демократическая Республика. Внешняя поли- няя политика …, с. 495-496). тика …, с. 235-237). 17. «Борьба» qəz., 1919, 19 dekabr. 31. “Azərbaycan” qəzeti, 1919, 4 aprel, № 70 (Bax: 18. «Возрождение» qəz., 1920, 6 yanvar, № 4. Азербайджанская Демократическая Республи 19. Q.Əliyev. Azərbaycan xalq cümhuriyyətinin ка. Внешняя политика …, с. 189). Gürcüstanla iqtisadi…, s.29-34. 32. Q.Əliyev. Azərbaycan xalq cümhuriyyətinin 20. Q.Əliyev. Azərbaycan xalq cümhuriyyətinin Gürcüstanla iqtisadi…, s.29-34. Gürcüstanla iqtisadi…, s.29-34. 33. Q.Əliyev. Azərbaycan xalq cümhuriyyətinin 21. “Azərbaycan” qəzeti, 1920, 14 yanvar, № 9 Gürcüstanla iqtisadi…, s.29-34. (Bax: Азербайджанская Демократическая 34. Q.Əliyev. Azərbaycan xalq cümhuriyyətinin Республика. Внешняя политика …, с. 502-503). Gürcüstanla iqtisadi…, s.29-34. 22. «Возрождение» qəz., 1920, 15 yanvar, № 9. 35. ARDA, f. 970, s. 1, iş 26, v. 12-13 (Bax: 23. “Sakartvelo”, 1919, 19 iyul, № 151, s. 4. Азербайджанская Демократическая Респуб 24. ARDA, f. 970, s. 1, iş 64, v. 43-44 (Bax: Азербайд- лика. Внешняя политика …, с. 203-205). жанская Демократическая Республика. Внеш- 36. Q.Əliyev. Azərbaycan xalq cümhuriyyətinin няя политика …, с. 592-593). Gürcüstanla iqtisadi…,, s.29-34.. 25. ARDA, f. 970, s. 1, iş 88, v. 52-53 (Bax: Азербайд- жанская Демократическая Республика. Внеш- няя политика …, с. 448-450). 26. “Sakartvelos Respublika” qəz., 1920, 30 aprel, № 95, s. 3. 27. “Ertoba”, 1920, 29 sentyabr, № 220, s. 3. www.irs-az.com 41