I. Genocide and Terror Committed by Armenia in Azerbaijan Land

• Genocide inflicted upon Azeri people in March, 1918 (Musayeva T.A., doctor of history, professor)

• Genocide and terror as tested methods of Armenias struggle against Azeri people (Musayeva T.A. doctor of history, professor).

• What was this; genocide or deportation (Pashayev A.A., candidate of history).

• Azerbaijanis Deportation from West Azerbaijan (Maharramov E., candidate of history).

• Tragedy of 20^th century: “Khojaly genocide“ (Muradova A. D., candidate of history).

Genocide over azerbaijan nation in March of 1918

It’s already ten years since our nation has commenced building its sovereign state being in utterly difficult situation and surpassing incredible obstacles. Looking back to the passed way we observe both errors, shortcomings and those great achievements which were possible exclusively in terms of the independence. Among such achievements there is opportunity to see our nation’s history in new light, form objective approach to historical course of its evolution, reveal obscure pages of history, give proper, unbiased appraisal to its individual periods and events having been distorted, forged or just hushed up for long decades. One of the pages is March events of 1918 that were presented in soviet historiography as “civil war”, “musavatists’ counter-revolutionary rebellion” being allegedly provoked by “Musavat” party’s members with aim of overthrowing soviet regime in Baku. In present-day times owing to efforts of azerbaijani social scientists who found and analysed most archive documents being earlier thoroughly concealed, and also owing to current democratic processes in Azerbaijan there was created condition for public declaring the whole truth about the March events, qualifying them as genocide over Azerbaijanis, list the main ringleaders of this bloody massacre. February revolution and following October events, publication of such documents as “Declaration of russian nations’ rights” and “Appeal to moslem working people of Russia and East” were taken by Azerbaijan nation, intellectuals, national parties for opportunity of realizing “national autonomy within Russian Federation” idea.

  “Musavat” party that appeared at the respective period on political struggle’s proscenium advanced “Azerbaijan’s autonomy” idea as one of the paramount programme demands. But provisional extraordinary commissar on Caucasian affairs, S.Shaumyan was ardent antagonist of the idea. He considered azerbaijani nation’s legitimate and natural demand of granting Azerbaijan an autonomy as “dream of azerbaijani nationalists” to make Baku “capital of Azerbaijan khanate” (S.G.Shaumyan, Selected works. Moscow, 1978, II v., p.257). The paradox is that flatly refuting possibility of granting Azerbaijan an autonomy Shaumyan at the same time took for due plan of establishing Provisional armenian government at its territory occupied russian troops. Moreover realization of this plan in accordance with decree dated by December 29, 1917, signed by V.I.Lenin and I.V.Stalin was charged to Shaumyan. He was also commissioned with leading over determination of this “autonomy’s” bounds especially of adjoining moot areas (Decrees of Soviet government. Moscow, 1957, p. 289-299).

  The bolshevist government was pretty aware of Shaumyan’s approaches to most clue points of bolshevist party’s national programme, his radically hostile attitude to such items as granting of autonomy, nations’ right to self-determination. As far back as 1914 Lenin expressed in his letter to Shaumyan critical attitude to these views. “It’s shame on russian marxist to hold standpoint of armenian hen-coop… Because of “armenian” blindness you become apprentice of Purishkevichs and their nationalism” (Lenin V.I. Complete Works, v.48, p.302).

It’s very interesting that on the eve of March developments “Bakinskiy rabochiy” newspaper published in March, 15 Lenin’s letter to Shaumyan written as early as December, 1913 where the latter has been sharply criticized for non-recognition of autonomy and self-determination right ideas (CW, v.48, p.233-236).

Maximalism of Shaumyan’s views, obstinacy and strict methods during activities conducted by him were known to Centre. Right therefore Lenin wrote in his telegram to Shaumyan dated February 14, 1918 that along with “firm and resolute” policy it’s necessary to conduct very cautious diplomacy. The former took into account utterly complicated situation in this region, he demanded to solve very delicately and carefully most important problems (V.I.Lenin about Azerbaijan. Baku, 1959, p.75).

It should be kept in mind that Shaumyan – “internationalist” regarded Azerbaijan nation highly malevolently attaching to it such labels as “Tatar (azerbaijani) mob”, “tatar ignorant masses”, “robber gangs”, “tatar ruffians” etc. It’s enough to read fluently his selected works for making sure of the above-mentioned. (Shaumyan S.G. Selected works. Moscow, 1978, I v., p.119, 129, 185; II v., p. 216). All of this accounts for Shaumyan’s behaviour in March days of 1918.

Considering March events in the light of contemporaneity we reveal the facts that used to escape our consciousness, weren’t paid due attention.

Among them – appointment of Kobozev P.A. as Extraordinary Commissar of government in Middle East and Baku province. The fact is mentioned in events chronicle from volume 36 of V.I.Lenin’s Complete Works (p. 684). In March 17, 1918 Lenin had conversation with Kobozev, signed and delivered him mandate for taking measures on securing local authorities, handed him letter addressed to Baku comrades. The letter mentioned in Complete Works is supposed to be written by Stalin on Central Committee and Lenin’s instructions. It was of great importance and provided guide to action, directed and anticipated prospects of the developments in the region. In view of the letter’s importance we’re citing it in more details: “To Stepan, Alyosha and other friends. We are sending comrade Kobozev to you as extraordinary commissar of Middle Asia and Baku. He’s resolute, has rich experience in struggle with counter-revolution in Middle Asia, knows the particulars of war art, he’s railway engineer and old party worker. Appointing him also as commissar of Baku we were guided by the fact that Stepan, Caucasian affairs commissar functions basically in Tiflis, while Baku, this central point of the entire south is already besieged from everywhere, therefore it’s impossible for Stepan to be both in Middle East and Baku at once. We are fully sure that Kobozev (he is warned by us) will act in concordance with Stepan. One thing is indubitable; in military and financial terms Baku should be fortified, if Moslems demand autonomy, we should grant it, ensure unconditional recognition of central and local soviet authorities, immediately establish within Baku Deputies Council Moslem department, highly develop Moslem literature… Kobozev will report you details. Faithfully yours, Stalin”. (Azerbaijan Republic Political Parties and Public Movements State Archives, copies fund № 453).

Thus all measures listed in the letter were aimed on fortifying soviet power in Baku and winning round large working strata of moslems. Confrontation with local inhabitants wasn’t necessary to Centre. Here in Baku, with its extremely motley population there was required delicate and cautious approach to many complicated problems and maximalism was absolutely irrelevant here. Appointment of Kobozev, experienced party member and military specialist was in our opinion careful attempt to restrict Shaumyan’s actions from making decisions on his own as Caucasian Extraordinary Commissar. Henceforth decisions were to be taken in concord. As further events showed Centre’s apprehensions were grounded.

If he knew about concrete resolution of Centre concerning autonomy for Moslems he would have come to an agreement with “Musavat” party’s leaders and solve the problem by peaceful means. Especially as before March events “Musavat” members publicly advanced idea of autonomy within Russian Federation. Unfortunately we don’t know exactly whether this letter reached Shaumyan before the March events (Kobozev was at this time in Baku), and how he took part in them.

Historians will have to study all of this thoroughly. One thing was undeniably obvious: Shaumyan went toward confrontation deliberately. It was necessary for realizing well-conceived plan. Frenzied atrocities over Azerbaijanis, cruelty and vandalism of dashnaks in March days in Baku give ground to suppose that it was Shaumyan’s “requital action” as stresses M.Rasul-zade in ‘Untorgettable tragedy’ article (“Azerbaijan” newspaper, March 31, 1919) on account of March developments’ first anniversary (quotation from “Historiography of March slaughter, 1918” book after A.Iskandarov, Baku, 1997, p. 103): action of cleaning Baku from Azerbaijanis because differently it’s impossible to account for mass slaughter of Azerbaijanis, absolutely innocent peaceful Azerbaijan population of Baku and other towns of the region in March days. The further course of developments confirms this.

At this period in Baku because of blocking Baku-Tiflis railroad there gathered several thousands of armed Armenians returning from battle-fronts. Besides here were thousands well-armed fighters who represented Dashnaksutun party. Shaumyan was perfectly aware of ardent nationalistic and counter-revolutionary orientation of dashnaks’ policy. Right therefore he had to hinder from their staying in the city. But this failed to take place.

By this time it was observed swift increase of “Musavat” party’s influence. Shaumyan admitted himself that “by the II year since revolution the party had become the most potent one in Transcaucasus” (Shaumyan S.G. Selected works. Moscow, 1978, v. II, p.291). In these conditions he tried by any hooks to debar “Musavat” from political rival, discredit it.

Azerbaijanis in Baku and its vicinities were completely defenceless before armed to the teeth armenian military units. At that time “Musavat” failed to dispose of any units. Y.Ratgauzer writes in his “Revolution and civil war in Baku” book: “Musavat” party didn’t have available regular military units by the time of beginning events in the city. The Musavat forces located in provinces weren’t brought up to Baku in proper time. We suppose that “Musavat” party’s leaders didn’t expect commencement of battle in March 30” (Ratgauzer Y. Revolution and civil war in Baku. 1927, Baku, p.145). Presence of numerous armed dashnaks who inundated the city incandesced situation exceedingly. The fact attracts its attention that during recordings at different plants all except Azerbaijanis have been enrolled into Red Army. Most detachments raised in that way almost completely consisted of Armenians. In many respects it was favoured by Avakyan, military commandant of Baku city who raised the detachments.

Besides in March 29, 1918 due to Shaumyan’s order there began disarmament of “tatar regiment’s” (being part of “Wild division” raised during I World War) soldiers and officers who were on the board of Eveline ship that sailed toward Lankaran-its dislocation point.

A small-numbered detachment of the division’s officers and soldiers headed by general Talyshinski was in Baku in view of H.Z.Tagiyev, eminent Azerbaijan oil industrialist-magnate’s tragically perished son’s funeral. Why Baku council obstacled the sole armed groups of moslems from peaceable leaving the city and failed to disarm armenian military units located in great amount in Baku that days? Haven’t all national units been liable to abolition and withdrawal from Baku in accordance with Baku Soviet’s resolution dated from March 15, 1918 on the base of Shaumyan’s report? It applied to all armed forces dislocated in the city. However Shaumyan neglected the directions given by his participance (SPIHDA,[1] fund 276, errata 3, addendum 272, sheets 5-6). This action caused discontent and protests of Baku’s moslem population. In March 30 in mosques, different parts of the city there began spontaneous movements, meetings of Azerbaijanis who demanded return of armament and withdrawal of national armenian units. These days “Achyg soz” (“Speech freedom”) newspaper-publication of “Musavat” party-addressed to local inhabitants appeal of resisting emotions, remaining calm.

The provocative firing of a small-numbered Red Army detachment executors of which remained unknown was initial point of the terrible bloody action victims of which were peaceful azerbaijani inhabitants. Shaumyan wrote himself that they needed just a slightest cause for realizing their plan. “We took opportunity of the first attempt of armed attack to our cavalry and passed to offensive on a wide front. We already had 6000 amounted armed forces. “Dashnaksutun” also counted 3-4 thousands national units. The latter’s participance attached to the civil war national carnage feature but it was nevitasible. We did it consciously. If they (Musavatists) gained the upper hand in Baku the city would have been proclaimed as capital of Azerbaijan” (S.G.Shaumyan. Selected works, Moscow, 1978, v. II. p.246). Here as it’s said commentaries are needless.

Under pretext of struggle with musavatists bolshevist-dashnak detachments practically started single-minded slaughter of peaceful Azerbaijan population. Their dwellings were bombarded from sky and sea. It was armenian units that took especially active part in atrocities over Azerbaijanis. Not the least was the fact that this time chief of Red Army’s headqu arters in Baku was Tsarism Army’s former colonel, member of dashnaks party Z.Avetisyan. For several days the outrages have lasted in the city. Stubborn fighting had been taking place in its most central part, Ichari Shahar (Inner City) area. A.I.Mikoyan commanded personally by offensive to this historical place. In March 30 one of commissars Tatevos Amiryan entered building of moslem charity “Ismailiya” with gang of armed dashnaks and set fire on it. Theatre of G.Z.Tagiyev being first one in the East was also burnt, Taza-Pir mosque seriously damaged. “Struggle with counter-revolution” turned into unprecedented carnage. S.M.Afandiyev stressed that “dashnaks slaughtered not only musavatists but also generally moslems…” (Nationalities life, 1919, July 6).

Trying to involve into their sloven actions Caspian fleet dashnaks resorted to their pet method-provocations. Among sailors they began spreading rumours that Azerbaijanis allegedly kill Russians in the city. Therefore at the action’s beginning there thundered gun salvoes from Caspian fleet’s ship toward azerbaijani dwellings. But soon these rumours proved to be utter fiction and dashnaks’ provocation.

Not only national armenian units but also those of Red Army took active part in violences over peaceful Azerbaijanis. In these terms the fact should be stressed that the latters consisted of armenians at 70%. According to G.Avetiysn, corresponding member of Armenian Republic Academy of Sciences, “for Baku Army battled 4 brigades of Caucasian Red Army consisting of 25 battalions and 18000 soldiers. About 70% of the latters were Armenians” (“Communist”, Yerevan, August 26, 1989, №199).

Even after accepting Baku Council ultimatum by Azerbaijanis murders and robberies by Armenian units continued. Only after interfering of Japaridze who noted events march to go extremely far, and also order of 36-th Turkestan regiment about stopping moslems’ carnage and threat of gun firing at armenian dwellings the massacre was ceased.

Much more atrocities inflicted during punitive raid to Shamakhi and Guba where over 50 villages had been set on fire and sacked.

The great-numbered detachment expedited to Guba commanded by Dashnaksutun Amazasp consisted solely of Armenians being members of Dashnaksutun party. The detachment was raised under the personal control of G.Korganov, chairman of war-revolutionary committee of Caucasian army, Armenian by nationality.

Beside of murders Amazasp’s punitive detachment marauded and robbed Azerbaijanis’ property.

In result of the punitive action about 2000 peaceful azerbaijanis were killed in Guba. Speaking before local inhabitants Amazasp declared: “I’m hero of armenian nation and protector of his interests… I’m sent here not for establishing order and Soviet power but for taking vengeance for murdered Armenians, I had commandment of killing all moslems from Caspian coasts to Shahdag and razing your dwellings to the ground. History of Azerbaijan in documents and publications, Baku, 1990, p. 185;

Before events in Guba armed forces of Baku council commanded by Amazasp Avetisov commited io the flames and completely burnt Shamakhy town (A.Balayev. Azerbaijan national movement in 1917-1918, Baku, “Elm” p.h., 1998, p. 175).

Punitive operations were conducted in Lankaran, Khachmaz, Hajigabul, Salyan provinces. Direct participation of S.Shaumyan in bloody March events of 1918 and dashnaks’ atrocities in Baku and province were reported in “Azerbaijan” newspaper dated October 8, 1918. There was founded special provinces commission on investigating these crimes. Shaumyan cynically confessed that “in result of civil war suffered mass of poor and homeless moslems”. He stressed they “had to make use of armenian regiment. We even couldn’t permit ourselves luxury of neglecting its services. It was necessary to use the regiment’s services, and the victory is so much great that it slightly clouds reality” (S.G.Shaumyan. Selected works. Moscow, 1978, v. II, p. 249, 250). Even “Nash golos” (“Our voice”) menshevist newspaper characterized the events as national massacre. The eyewitness of March events People’s Enlightenment Commissar of Baku People’s Commissars Council N.Kolesnikova wrote in her memoirs that “dashnak groups commenced in the town massacres, arsons of houses, robberies, murders of innocent peaceful citizens, mainly Azerbaijanis” (Ko­lesnikova N.N. About history of struggle for Soviet power in Baku, Moscow, 1960, p. 71). In letter addressed to Council of People’s Commissars, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic dated from April 13, 1918 Shaumyan trying to justify heinous crimes of Armenian units in Baku in March days and conceal from bolshevist authorities the real scales of Azerbaijanis slaughter made under his leadership falsified death roll, facts of threatenings by the side of moslems. Realizing that it’s impossible to conceal everything and aspiring to calm down Centre he wrote: “Moslem mass heavily suffered but now it’s consolidating around bolshevists and council”, that “oil is already at our disposal”. Here was also especially stressed role of armenian national units in defence of Soviet power (“Historical archives”, №2, 1957, p. 55-57).

In Shaumyan and Japaridze addressed letter published in “Gummat” newspaper in April 3, 1918, Narimanov mentioning March events wrote: “This smirches Soviet power, casts slurs upon it. If the next few days you don’t tear the black veil and don’t remove the stain bolshevist idea and Soviet power will fail to consolidate here…”

You know that power won by means of arms failing to be supported by people can’t stay long (N.Narimanov. Selected works in 3 vol., II v., Baku, “Azernashr” p.h., 1989, p. 122-123). These words turned out to be prophetic. After March events despite of Shaumyan’s allegations broad masses of azerbaijani people turned away from Soviet power. In “Baku organization of bolshevists in 1917-18” article published in 1923 A.J.Mikoyan had to admit: “March events also resulted in much more estrangement of moslem working” masses from Soviet power (“Bakinski rabochiy” (Baku worker), March 14, 1923, №57). March events had serious public repurcussions. S. Ter-Gabrielyan, notable bolshevist wrote in letter addressed to S. Shaumyan sent by him from Astrakhan in April 28, 1918 that the local community and newly arrived Russians who left on a mass scale Baku for Astrakhan regarded developments in “Baku not as struggle “ for Soviet power, but national carnage, and that “this carnage was organized by Armenians” (Sur. Shaumyan. The Baku Commune. Baku, 1927, p.94).

Armenians’ outrages in Baku since March 30 till April 2, then continued in provinces were none other than massacre on national basis or more exactly – genocide over azerbaijani nation. Right therefore Soviet power in Baku held out not long and ignominiously quitted the stage in 1918.

 Today we can definitely say it was well-conceived and well-planned action prepared by Shaumyan and victims of which were Azerbaijan moslems. With armenian troops and Dashnaksutun party’s cut-throats Shaumyan vented his hatred toward musavatists by massacres in azerbaijani dwellings of Baku, Azerbaijan provinces. Just in Baku that days were murdered over 10000 peaceful inhabitants, in Shamakhy-7000, Guba-2000, Lankaran and Astara - more than 1000, Salyan and Hajigabul – almost 1000. In March – April, 1918 armenian – bolshevist detachments killed in Baku, Shamakhy, Guba, Mugan, Lankaran districts more than 50000 Azerbaijanis (“Statement of Azerbaijan Republic National Council” article in “Bakinski rabochiy”, March 31, 2001).

Using bolshevist power and slogans as a cover Shaumyan betrayed Soviet power discrediting it by his actions. But this wasn’t principal for him. His purpose was another-extermination of Azerbaijanis. All his efforts were aimed that March days on deporting Azerbaijanis from the lands for their further joining to “armenian autonomy” establishment of which was charged to Shaumyan due to decree of People’s Commissars Council dated December 29, 1917.

The prominent german researcher Erikh Figle in his “Truth terror. Armenian terrorism – roots and reasons” (Baku, “Azernashr”, 2000) speaking of Shaumyan’s activity in 1918 stresses that Stepan Shaumyan was leader of armenian communists in Baku where he formed bolshevist government tyranny of which intended to expatriate or exterminate Azerbaijanis. His aim was “Baku’s armenianizing by any hooks or crooks” (p. 101, ibid).

Unfortunately these heinous crimes commited in Baku and provinces in March, 1918 received in due course proper and objective appraisal neither by world society nor republic’s authorities. For sake of internationalism and consolidation of nations friendship these facts were painstakingly kept silent, concealed. Right this gave full scope to nationalist – separatistic forces. In 1988 as a result of the so-called Highland Garabagh problem a great number of Azerbaijanis were killed and expatriated from their primordial lands of Armenia because of their national belonging, in January of 1990 savage crimes were committed over people who expressed protest against the actions, in 1992 bloody Khojaly genocide took place. Adventurous actions of armenian aggressors and “Great Armenia” ideologists on ethnical mopping – up resulted in expatriating more than millions of our countrymen from their motherland and their superhuman sufferings. Just in XX c. as it’s stressed in “Appeal to Azerbaijan nation in view of March 31, day of Azerbaijanis Genocide” over 2 millions of Azerbaijanis became victims of loathsome genocide policy pursued by our enemies in one or another form” (“Bakinski rabochiy”, March 31, 1999).

Current advancing of Armenia’s claims to Nakhchivan being primordial azerbaijani land, calls to abolishing Gars treaty concluded in October of 1921 between Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Turkey, claims to Georgian, Turkish landsall of this are after-effect of impunity reigning in world society respect to aggressive Armenian Republic.

Today our major task is forming in present and future generations eternal memory of genocide committed over Azerbaijan nation in the last century, attain political and legal appraisal of these events from international community, avert its grave consequences and do the all best for this never recur.

Our long silence and tolerance costed us dear. Right therefore republic government adopted resolution of declaring March 31 as day of Azerbaijanis Genocide.

In these terms important are monumental works and documentary archives revealing dashnak terrorists, their heinous crimes on azerbaijani land during the last century. Committing genocide over Azerbaijanis they represent themselves as innocent victims having been subject to genocide. As early as July 15, 1918 due to decree of Azerbaijan Republic under the leadership of Foreign Affairs Ministry there was established extraordinary “Inquiry Committee” on investigating violences made by Armenians over moslems within the entire Transcaucasus since I World War. In the committee’s materials there was stressed that in March days basically suffered Azerbaijanis, their properties were plundered and dwellings burnt out. In State Archives of Republic there are kept materials of the committee which are impossible to be read without shudder, scales of vandalism displayed by Armenians that bloody days are incommensurate. The documents were drawn up on hot trails, March events described by eye-witnesses. Today when our state is member of many in ternational organizations, the committee’s materials must be published and become possessions of the world society. Let it know the real executors of genocide on our land, those who through XX c. claimed to our areas, who hold the region’s inhabitants in permanent tension can’t go on any longer. The Armenians’ claims must be repulsed finally and decisively.

Tamilla Musayeva,
Doctor of history, professor

 Adil Mammadov,
Doctor of historical sciences.

Genocide and terror-tested forms of Armenia’s struggle against Azerbaijan nation

During centuries Armenians have been applying to azerbaijanis policy of genocide and terror, aggressive out-driving of azerbaijanis from their primordial lands, ethnical clearing. Ideologists of “Great Armenia from sea to sea” tenet through decades have been poisoning consciousness of their nation with unrealizable dream, myths and fair-tables, forged history imposing them idea of special exclusiveness of Armenians, their right for neighbors lands. Historical documents, statistical facts indicate that in early XIX century Armenians were settled on mass scale in Erivanian, Nakhchivan, Garabagh and other khanates, later in Elizavetpole province and surroundings of Goycha lake renamed into Sevan by Armenians. As they consolidated in the lands they gradually began forcing out local Azerbaijan population with aim of intensifying their settling here. A.Griboyedov writes that Garabagh khans in lands of which Armenians had been settled after Gulistan and Turkmanchay agreements signed by Russia and Iran excited apprehensions that Armenians would in future lay claim to these lands (A.S.Griboyedov. 2-volumed works. II volume, Moscow, 1971, page 341).

Ideologists of Armenians by all hooks and crooks urged their nation on venturesome actions, involved them into war with purpose of misappropriating part of foreign lands and thus realizing notorious idea imposed on their nation. In 90-ies of XX century taking opportunity of USSR disintegration, using forceful methods Armenia occupied Azerbaijan lands completely neglecting indisputable truth that azerbaijani nation will never reconcile itself with the present state of affairs and struggle for returning its lands to the last. It’s axiom and must be kept in mind by Armenians if they desire to live in peace obeying to good-neighborliness laws. Resorting to their tested method, using such forms of fight as terror and genocide condemned by world association Armenia tries to consolidate itself in occupied azerbaijani lands hoping as in past to misappropriate part of Azerbaijan territory. Even at the period of Soviet power which according to Constitution was to defend territorial integrity of nations included into USSR, their liberty and sovereignty Armenia with assistance of their representatives in tope power echelons such as Mikoyan managed to make deportation of Azerbaijanis who lived compactly on their primordial land-Western Azerbaijan. More than 200000 azerbaijanis were deported in 40-50-ies from mountainous districts to Kur-Araz lowland. Majority of deported then azerbaijanis in terms of adverse and unaccustomed climatic environment died having become victims of their neighbors who since olden days suffered from territorial kleptomania.

Violence, vandalism, cruelty exceeding bounds, robberies – all of these is characteristic actions style of Armenia on our land. Trying to obtain from world countries recognition of Armenians genocide allegedly organized by Turks Armenia connives at their barbarous actions made against azerbaijanis.

Today for world public there are accessible documents revealing the true face of Armenian gangs, their crimes made on our land, aggressive terrorism, irrepressible craving for occupation of foreign lands by any hooks and crooks. As early as 10 years ago we were helpless before onslaught of these experienced forgers who impudently and brazenly layed claim to Azerbaijan lands, achievends great experience of smearing azerbaijanis, their abasing, disputed their right to live on their primordial motherland as mush as presence of azerbaijanis here nowise blended with “Great Armenia” idea.

For 10 years of Azerbaijan independent sovereign state existence social scientists of republic did mush work at revelation of antiazerbaijani policy conducted by Armenia. The important contribution into this matter is publication of “Armenian cause in documentary materials of archives of Azerbaijan in 1918-1920” documents and materials collection in Ankara in 2001 (682 pages). It was published on the base of “Mutual archives cooperation protokol” signed by Turkey and Azerbaijan. It’s compiled by Senior Archives Department of Turkey and staff of Senio Archives Department within Azerbaijan Republic Ministers Cabinet.

The great service in compilation and publication of this collection belongs personally to chief of Azerbaijan Republic Senior Archives Department, Atakhan Avaz oglu Pashayev who for a long time and fruitfully elaborates problem of Armenian terror, deportation and genocide. He was one of the first in republic to research this problem. Recently published his book titled as “One the tracks of unopened pages” (Baku, 2001, 536 p.) reviews his fruitful researches of many years in this direction. He’s one of participators and editor of 7 volumes of documents and materials collection dedicated to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic total amount of which is 293 printed sheets.

Publication of this collection in Turkey is very significant event, serious contribution into ADR history elaboration. In this book there are collected documentary materials reflecting actions of Armenians on Azerbaijan land in 1918-1920.

It should be kept in mind that there was carried out great work concerning ADR history research. On the base of new documentary materials that became accessible for researchers there was studied multidirected activity of this state including social-political environment in Azerbaijan in 1918-1920, problems of domestic and foreign policy. On all the above-mentioned matters there the written a lot of articles, monographs, published collections of documents, defended theses. Analysis of all these materials indicates that despite on great work carried out by researchers in sphere of ADR history there remain such problems still demanding scientific comprehension and research.

Here first of all should be related study of establishment and activity of Extraordinary Inquiry Committee history. This committee was established on the base of governmental report made up by M.Gadjinskiy, Foreign Affairs Minister in July 15, 1918. In this report it was stressed necessity to “establish organization that would have character of Extraordinary Inquiry Committee, investigate crimes of Armenian military units that under the slogan of bolshevism for more than 4 months different parts of Azerbaijan territory make unprecedented atrocities to life and property of peaceful Moslem population” (GAAR, f.1061, op.I, d.95, l. I). The committee was to be engaged into exite registration of all cases of violence’s, terms in which these violence’s were made, definition of culprits and rates of caused losses. It was suggested to tackle organizing Committee as quickly as possible, be hot on the trail of the events and read out works of the Committee in main European languages-Russian, French and German. On the base of this report in August 31, 1918 there was established Extraordinary Inquiry Committee of barrister Alekper bey Khasmammadov, members of Ganja Circuit Court Ismail bey Shahmaliyev and Andrey Fomich Novatskiy, assistant prosecutor of the same circuit court Nasreddin bey Safiryurdskiy, members of Ganja deportation office Nikolay Mikhailovich Mikhailov, V.Gouvbilo, former chairman of Justices of the peace congress, true councilor of State and teacher Mirza Javad Akhundzade. Later at different times members of the Committee were Kluge A., Sultanov H., Litovsky A, Klassovsky C. etc. Asit’s seen the committee consisted of different nationalities representatives.

They retained for us invaluable documents as much as the materials were made up on hot trails of 1918 march events. The documents were included into the forenamed collection. Some materials of the collection partially were used certain researchers in their works, theses. But community of the republic for long time has stood up for publication of the committee’s materials in complete volume. Today at last we have opportunity to be introduced with these documents.

The collection is opened with introduction of doctor Yusif Sarynay, general director of Turkey State Archives in which there was stressed significance of this collection'’ publication as important source to revealing Armenia in its claims to neighbor states. In the introduction written by A.Pashayev, chief of Azerbaijan Republic Senior Archives Department, candidate of historical sciences there was presented brief review of resettlement of Armenians in Azerbaijan lands, their attempts to establish at this territory own state.

The collection consists of 2 parts. In the first part there are described annotated materials of archives documents on Turkish. The second part consists of photo documents. All of these materials were found in Azerbaijan State Archives, Azerbaijan Historical State Archives, Azerbaijan State Political Parties and Public Movements Archives, Russian Federation Historical State Archives. The documents presented in the collection are mainly materials of Extraordinary Inquiry Committee.

It also contains materials elucidating march events of 1918 in Baku, Azerbaijan districts which were presented in soviet historiography as civil war. These materials are incontrovertible evidence of the fact that these days Armenian armed troops under leadership of Shaumyan, vehement enemy of Azerbaijan nation made true genocide against it.

The striking is cruelty and utter hateress of Armenians toward Azerbaijanis killing by keen methods peaceful Moslem population of Baku. In report of Extraordinary Inquiry Committee chairman to Justice Minister “On case of violence’s made at Moslem population in Baku city” there was stressed the below: “The attack was conducted by well armed trained Armenian soldiers under cover of large amounted machineguns…in districts…fully resided by Moslems; Armenians bursted into Moslems’ houses, killed their dwellers, slashed them by bayonets, threw children into fire of burning house and raised 3-4 days infants on bayonets. In these parts of the city there is almost no house where Armenians wouldn’t have slaughtered all Moslems and a few people could survive. When Moslems-witnesses tell of these atrocities they begin crying... Slaughtering the Moslems Armenians at the same time destroyed their property and took the most valuable about themselves. Moslem women also killed and buried in ground. Later just in one place under ground there were found 57 corpses of Moslem women without ears, nose, cut bellies… Only in Baku these days in result of these actions perished more than 10000 Moslems. Then “Armenians transferred their activity from Baku to its districts where they made the same violences as in Baku” (doc.13).

Protocols of interrogations described in the collection and made by members of Extraordinary Inquiry Committee N.Mikhailov and A.Novatskiy in Baku, Guba, Shamakhy, Ganja, Zangazur are of great interest.

Value of these documents consists of supplementing to them materials of interrogations with participation of suffered inhabitants of these districts. The documents are silient witnesses of barbarous actions of Armenians in Azerbaijan land, they incontrovertibly reveal them disguising their real nature. Towns, dozens of Azerbaijan villages were burned and razed by Armenian gangs in 1918-1920, robbered by them. So mane human lives were taken away by dashnaks committing in our land outrages. In materials of interrogations there is indicated concrete quantity of burnt Azerbaijan villages and killed in the investigated districts people.

Conducting policy of “burnt land” Armenians tried to make Azerbaijanis not to return again to these lands, organized ethnical clearing. So they did in Zangazur where gangs of Andronik slaughtered with his cut-throats Azerbaijanis with aim of annexing this territory to Armenia majority of inhabitants in which were exitely Azerbaijanis. Introducing with the documents of Extraordinary Inquiry Committee unwittingly come to conclusion that perfidy and teachery were characteristic features of Armenian gands’ ringleaders. It concerns first of-all Andronik, Turkey citizen who betrayed his state and nation. Hands of this arrant cut-throat are stained with blood of thousands of completely innocent Moslems. And this gunman was elevated to the rank of national hero after the example of whom youth of Armenia is brought up. Or another characteristic example taken from report of A.Novatskiy “On case of Shamakhy town devastation and violence’s toward its Moslem population” (doc. 1, 2, 13).

For Shamakhy inhabitants, as is stressed in the report attack of Armenians to the town was sudden as much as the day before Armenian bishop Bagrat swore by cross and gospel to live with Moslems in peace and fraternity and never come out against them. But armenian gangs neglected this promise. Being unready to defense azerbaijanis couldn’t exert serious resistance-Armenians bursted into Moslem part of the town and inflicted mass slaughter of residents (doc. 1).

The collection contains materials about perfidy of Armenian general Bagdasarov, colonel Partakonyan who at first came to agreement with general-governor of Gazakh district about cease-fire and interruption of this armistice began firing azerbaijani villages (doc. 107).

The same treachery made colonel Dolukhanov who promised to Moslems of Erivanian province to live in peace and then butchered the whole population of Seid-Ketanlu, Kharaba-Ketanlu and Sharaib villages of Vedi-Basarian district (doc. 4). Despite on conclusion of covenant between Armenia and Azerbaijan in November 27, 1919 about cease-fire (d. 83) it was perfidiously broken by Armenia about of which reported minister of foreign affaires if Azerbaijan M.Jafarov (d. 86).

While Azerbaijan in accordance with the concluded covenant with-drew its troop units from Zangazur Armenia troops of which disposed ordnance and machine-guns by the most offhanded way “showed activity as regards to slaughter of Moslem residents and their property” (d. 86).

Leaders of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic repeatedly addressed to their colleagues from United States with reports about atrocities inflicted by Armenia toward Moslem population and demands to stop these bloody actions. N.Usubbeyov, head of Azerbaijan Republic government reported about this to colonel Gaskel, Supreme United Commissar and Wardrobe, senior British commissar in December 1919 (d. 90).

In collection there are cite numerous letters, telegrams of this kind (d. 61, 63, 73, 86, 90). Besides it contains materials about severe conditions of life in Armenia itself. Starvation, diseases, oppressions on national ground, unlawful actions inflicted toward azerbaijanis – such are inferences of report made by Makinskiy, plenipotentiary minister of charity of Azerbaijan Republic about economic standing of Moslems in Armenia (d. 67).

In letter of foreign affaires minister of ADR to chairman of Peace Delegation appointed for World Paris conference it was stressed that government of Azerbaijan Republic requests to take urgent measures on protection and rescue of Moslem population in districts of Erivanian province and also in Batumi, Gars and Akhaltsykh regions. In the letter there was openly declared that “Armenian troops systematically slaughter Moslems of Erivanian province clearing from them territory resided by them” (d. 26).

There are many documents indicating on robber attacks of Stepan Lalayan’s gangs to Moslems’ camp, cattle stealing, tents arson, rape of young lasses (d. 34). In evidences of Russian priest Ioann Fedorovich Bogomolov it’s stressed that this gunman burnt mosques where were women, ageds, children (d. 37).

A lot of place occupy materials of committee revealing bloody actions of Amazasp in Guba where he was sent personally by Shaumyan without knowledge and content of other commissars for eradication of the whole Moslem population. As stresses Amazasp himself: “I’m sent here not for settling order and establishing Soviet power… I was commanded to slaughter all the Moslems from coasts of Caspian to Shahdag” (d. 4).

In result of his detachment’s actions 122 Moslem villages of Guba district were destroyed, their inhabitants killed, houses pillayed and burnt. In the document it’s indicated what a huge material damage was caused to residents of the town and its vicinities.

On violence’s inflicted by Armenian troops of Ararat Republic, local Armenians toward peaceful Moslem people of New-Bayazetian district to Gandja governor adopted at general meeting in March 29, 1919. This “Appeal” is cry from heart of despaired people encircled from all sides by Armenian troops who as is stressed in “Appeal” repeatedly attack to Moslem peaceful settlements, destroy them, make all kinds of unprecedented and disgraceful inhuman actions…with purpose of out driving remainders of Moslems from boundaries of Erivanian province where more than 270 villages of mohammedans were destroyed. In Basarkechar there are already escalated numerous Armenian gangs where fatal future is prepared for Moslems we address with appeal to our Moslem brothers to help us in this unequal struggle, save from the real danger…, don’t let 60000 people perish… from hands of tyrants, jingoists and dashnaks willing to eradicate miserable remainder of Moslems in Erivanian province”.

These actions of Armenians caused legitimate and just indignation of Azerbaijanis in all regions of republic. In collection there are adduced interesting documents about mass protest of Azerbaijan’s population and resolution to help its brothers. For example, in telegram sent by Agdam inhabitants to Azerbaijan Ministers Council Chairman it was stressed: “People of Agdam district are always ready to defend integral part of Azerbaijan-Garabagh and Nakhchivan. Once again we express readiness to die for our undeniable Motherland. Let a small group of Garabagh’s dashnaks-intriguers undoing their Armenians not to rely on Garabagh and Nakhchivan as indivisible part of Ararat” (d. 58).

In another telegram sent from Shusha it was stressed that Shusha people organized thousand strong guerilla detachment with aim of rendering military help to Zangazur (d. 101).

The collection also includes documents reflecting actions of Armenian armed gangs at the territory of Turkey. Trying to present themselves to the world as miserable, persecuted nation undergone genocide Armenians occupied Turkish towns, slaughtered Moslem population of occupied villages, burnt their dwellings. Some documents reveal attempts of Armenians to seize Gars, primordially belonged to Turkey, taking opportunity of heavy situation in the country (d.23, 47, 65). In letter of ADR foreign affairs minister dated by April 30, 1919 to commander of Caucasus-located british troops it was stressed that Republic government makes a protest against violet invasion to Gars region of Armenian army and “requests You to make decree on stopping and withdrawing the above-mentioned troops from the regions and establishing Board meeting interests of peaceful population basically consisting from Moslems (d. 47).

In conclusion of the collection there are cited documents with names of Azerbaijan villages devastated by armenian gangs in Echmiadzinian, Surmalinian, Erivanian, New-Bayazitian, Zangazurian districts quantity of slaughtered men, women and children, figures about material damage caused to inhabitants of these districts. It’s not alleged facts, but strictly documented archives materials dated back from events in early XX c., kept in Azerbaijan archives and just the present day through decades became property of publicity.

It’s impossible to read these documents without anguish and shudder. What innumerable sufferings inflicted Armenian gangs to azerbaijanis-inhabitants of this land. With purpose of snatching its part Armenia resorted to various unlawful actions defying all norms of human moral.

Introducing with these documents it’s understood what important and necessary activity conducted government of ADR by timely establishment of Extraordinary Inquiry Committee retained for us these unique documents-evidences of our neighbors’ perfidy and cruelty. It’s clear why for more than 70 years Soviet State kept the materials in secret not publishing them-too obvious were improper actions of Armenians.

In our opinion soviet ideologists didn’t want these materials to be published for it wouldn’t have contributed to consolidation of nations friendship and internationalism proclaimed as basic principles of USSR commonwealth. Crimes of Armenians made in our land in 1918-1920, genocide against our nation they tried to hush up and consign to oblivion. Such position of soviet leaders was utterly harmful and fraught with serious consequences what confirmed the following events course. Evil as history teachs must be punished. Exitely ignoring and hushing up of this principle was one of USSR disintegration and Armenian separatism intensification reasons. The world didn’t get to know the foul deeds of Armenians, genocide made by them against our nation, aggressive armenian separatism. But on the other hand armenian propaganda was very successful in soviet times in spreading around the world version about miserable and longsuffering nation persecuted by “mean turks”.

Who knows may be if these documents were printed much earlier it to some extent would have reduced relish of Armenians for occupying foreign lands, convinces the world community in groundlessness of their claims, confirmed opinion about aggressiveness of Armenian separatism.

The collection’s documents narrate of remote past’s events but they are in keeping with Armenians’ actions №present times. The same style, the same forms and methods of struggle, the same robbery and violance, genocide, terror, deportation, “Burnt land” tactics. What a wretched future ideologists of “Great Armenia” prepared for their compatriots. Through the whole XX c. they had been attempting realize fantastic ideas plunging into of distresses making quarrel with their neighbors. And what is result, by what means are they making their unrealizable ideas come true. Today Armenia is on the verge of economic collapse, one of the most poverty-ridden states of CIJ. It’s time to realize that nobody is guilty in misfortunes of Armenian nation except of its ideologists and leaders who during several centuries have been conducting antinational policy, made armenian nation a toy in their venturesome and baneful experiments on cutting out again the country’s map. And if in early past century Armenia could rely upon help of bolshevists, under the slogan of USSR, nations friendship and internationalism ideas, misappropriate neighbour lands, receive presents as part of these lands blow fully other winds and territorial integrity of states problem is raised to the rank of international norms which no state has right to infringe including Armenia. Therefore the earlier its ideologists refuse from unrealizable idea of establishing “Great Armenia” the earlier it will move away from gulf on the verge of which the country at present is standing. However hard Armenia tried to delude the world community, convince it in genocide allegedly made by turks against Armenians in early XX c. its attempts are vain. Gradually step by step the world countries gains access to documents which indicate that authors of genocide in particular made in Azerbaijan land were Armenians themselves. It strikingly demonstrate materials and documents of the book reviewed by us. The world obtained another undeniable evidence of their foul actions in our land.

Noting publication of this book in Turkish with satisfaction we would like that there was realized desire of ADR government to see the result of Extraordinary Inquiry Committee’s work published in all European languages.

The reviewed book released in Ankara on top polygraphical level undoubtedly will lay base for new interesting work devoted to history of First Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, another important proof of the fact that from the very beginning Armenia conducted antiazerbaijani policy having selected terror, violance, genocide as struggle method.

Isn’t it time for leaders of Armenia to stop and think over all of this. This way has no perspective, it leads nowhere. We are neighbors no matter whether we want it or not. It’s destined for us by history to live together. And to live only in peace. There isn’t another alternative to our being.

Tamilla Musayeva,
Doctor of history, professor

Adil Mammedov,
Doctor of history.

What was this: genocide or deportation?

It’s generally known that in the early XIX century as a result of Russian Empire’s military expansion through Transcaucasus those age-old Azerbaijian territories passed to the rule of the empire at which there had been artificially established Armenia Republic later, in 20th century. The war of aggression ended for Russia by concluding 2 treaties-with Iran (February 10, 1829), and Turkey (September 2, 1828). The acts virtually gave full scope to the empire in view of settling more than 8000 armenian families from Persia, and 14000 ones from Turkey around newly conquered lands.

The documents of Caucasus Early Text Specialists Committee indicate that prior to implementation of Turkmanchay treaty terms population of christian religion and its armenian-gregorian denomination provided here, in Transcaucasus significant minority. Due to them, in Garabagh just 2.5 thousand non-Moslems were related to 12000 families, in Shamakhy khanate – only 1.5 thousand per 24000 ones, and in Shaki khanate - a third per 15000 families. Right therefore Russian state strived for securing its frontiers by means of christian population being in its view more reliable.

Griboyedov A.S., russian envoy to Persian shah’s palace reported in his memorandum concerning Armenians eviction from Persia (1828) that the idea was amended to Turkmanchay treaty not without participance of tzar’s colonel Lazarev, being Armenian by nationality. Already then Griboyedov foreboded such action’s perilous after-effects. “Most Armenians populated landlord moslem provinces-he wrote – In summer this was possible. The landlord moslems chiefly roamed from place to place and thus had rare opportunity to communicate with foreign newcomers”.

The telling criticism of Russia’s policy in Transcaucasus is observed in “New menace to Russia’s national interests in Transcaucasus” book by Shavrov N. (Saint- Peterburg, 1911) in which he wrote as next:

“We commenced our colonizer activity not with settling in Transcaucasus Russians but settling foreigners. At first in 1819 we settled in Transcaucasus families of Vurtemberg Germans among elements expatriated from their homeland and by means of these newcomers we established colonies in Tbilisi and Yelizavetpol provinces. Later following war of 1826-1828 within 2 years (1828-1830) we had resettled to Transcaucasus over 40000 persian and 84600 turkish Armenians and housed them in the best breech areas of Yelizavetpol and Erivani provinces where armenian population was trifling”.

Shavrov gave proof of his inferences by data that for settling over 200000 acres of breech lands were allotted to Armenians and private-owner moslem lands worth of over 2 million roubles bought up. In particular highland area of Yelizavetpol province (present Highland Garabagh) and Goycha lake (Sevan) shores were settled by armenian newcomers. Simultanously it should be taken into account that besides of 124000 Armenians officially settling here there existed as well unregistered influx numbering dozens of thousands families. Due to Shavrov’s data among 1 million 300000 Armenians who populated Transcaucasus in the early 20th century over millions failed to be natives of the region and were settled here by Russian goverenment.

The statistics in the annual numbers of Caucasian Bulletin also point that the territory currently belonging to Armenian Republic had been populated by high-amounted Azerbaijanis; the latters considerably exceeded in some areas number of armenian inhabitants.

Thus in 1886 149 settlements of Yelizavetpol province among 326 ones had been azerbaijani areas (45,7 per cent), 91 - kurdish (27,9 per cent) and just 81- armenian ones (24,8 percent).

In 1889 the armenian inhabitants of Zangazur district were less than Azerbaijan ones at 1,5 thousand people.

In 1891 among 661,6 thousand residents of Erivani province almost 270,4 thousand ones were Azerbaijanis (41 per cent). Their number had been dynamically increasing and in 1893 mounted to 276000 people, in 1897- almost 313000 ones. Due to the same census Zangazur district population made up over 142 000 people among whom 71,2 thousands (50,1 per cent) were Azerbaijanis and 63,6 thousands (44,8 per cent)- Armenians.

We dispose of statistical data for Erivan town (1896) among 14,7 thousand inhabitants of which 7,2 thousands (49 per cent) were Azerbaijanis and 7,1 thousand (48 per cent)- Armenians. Generally in Erivani district number of the azerbaijani population highly exceeded armenian one: among 99 000 people – 52,8 thousands were Azerbaijanis (53,5 per.cent.); and 36,4 thousands-Armenians (48,4 per cent); the same indices were observed in Surmali district. In Echmiadzin and New Bayazid districts totally resided 60000 Azerbaijanis who amounted a little less than one third of these district’s aggregate population.

According to statistics dated January 1, 1916 ratio between azerbaijani and armenian population of the above mentioned regions somewhat changed, but Azerbaijanis still provided majority in Erivani district (74,2 thousand people,i.e. 48 per cent) and Zangazur district (119,5 thousand people, i.e. 53,3 p.c.) within Yelizavetpol province. In Surmali district and New Bayazid district correspondingly Azerbaijanis’ number grew up to 45,9 thousand and 50,7 thousand people.

Thus the above – cited statistical data significantly betoken that in late 19-th and early 20-th centuries there resided numerous azerbaijani population at the territory of present Armenia being their primordial land.

Since the early 20-th century armenian nationalists had commenced regular and single – minded genocide and deportation of Azerbaijanis who solidly populated territories that later on provided Armenian SSR, and presently Armenian Republic. By their instigation the initial major clashes between Armenians and Azerbaijanis took place in 1905-1906 yy. Having broken out in Baku they Spread to Shusha, Erivani, Nakhchivan, Ordubad, Echmiadzin, Javanshir, Gazakh and Zangazur districts.

Ordubadi M.S., eminent azerbaijani prosaist with a heavy heart recalled that times in his «Bloody years” work published in Baku in 1911: “Appealing to mankind history experience we see that no nation has yet put women to the tortures like Armenians treated residents of Umidli village.

As far as for that matter what an unscrupulous one must be enough to dishonour tear-stained mother before whose very eyes there are killed her 3-4 children still writhing in death-agony?..

And such is armenian culture! Imagine where the nation striving for sovereignty by means of the vile acts like these will come. Does it become any civilized nation to chop up about 150 women and commit’ to the flames?”

Against unprotected azerbaijani peasants there was sent «Zinvors army of almost hundred thousands people base of which provided nearly all refugees from Turkish Armenia and local thugs who are accustomed to murdering and violating.’’ Ruler of Yelizavetpol province informed tsarist government of this in August 9, 1907.

Armenians had been committing unprecedented atrocities over azerbaijani inhabitants within 1918-1920 yy., i.e. at the sovereign Ararat republic. In archives there were retained incontrovertible data that till March, 1918 in 4 districts of Erivani province there had been ravaged and become depopulated 199 azerbaijani settlements before being resided by over 135000 people.

The horrific scene of Azerbaijanis’ standing in Armenia appears before eyes after reading report of Makinski T., plenipotentiary of Charity Minister to Armenia, parliament member to the minister dated February 11, 1920:

«Bloody developments in Erivani province that commenced in February, 1918 and had been lasting till the modern times led to unfortunate result – numerous, nearly half-millionth moslem (azerbaijani - Aut.) population of the province except of moslems who resided Nakhchivan district’s Sharur zone, as well as 2nd and 3rd zones of Surmali and Zangibar districts, became the absolute poor. They were robbed of their movables and realty, cattle and farming implements. There remained no more than 200 000 moslems in settlements with escaped ravage. Being ousted with fire and sword from their old haunts, separated from their lands these moslem peasants had been frequently subject to devastation by armenian gangs for the last 2 years and now drag out a miserable existence…The great and besides the most able-bodied part of the peasants perished in bloody struggle and survived mainly disabled and helpless: women, children and the old –aged. Most women are widows, and children –orphans. Failing to get necessary sufficient aid they die by thousands with hunger, cold and illnesses …At present it’s impossible to ascertain what part of these 300 000 moslems perished. Without exaggeration it can be pointed that the death –roll mounts to 100-120 000 people. Among the survived roughly 50 thousands resettled to Azerbaijan, and a certain part left for Turkey and Maki Khanate”.

The next single – minded activities of Armenian authorities for deporting azerbaijanis who solidly resided from Armenia and annexing their territory had been intensified after establishing Soviet power. The communist regime granted free range to Armenians for capturing azerbaijani lands by the so-called legal way. The armenian nationalists’ activities for expanding its territory by of Azerbaijan Republic were conducted without international society’s knowledge and under support of armenian lobby in Soviet Russia.

In December, 1920 as “good will act” Zangazur, historical province of Azerbaijan was transferred to Armenia. Later armenian expansionists’ claims concerned Garabagh and Nakhchivan. However in 1921 they failed to achieve inclusion of highland part of Garabagh as Armenian province. Neverthless in July, 1923 by their efforts in Garabagh’s highland area there was artificially established autonomus region within Azerbaijan SSR. But dashnaks failed to give up idea of annexing the province…

For the first time they raised the problem on the state level in November, 1945 when Arutyunyan, Armenian SSSR Secretary in his missive adressed to Stalin offered to consider problem of transfering HGAR to Armenia SSR. C.P.S.U(B) failed to stop the feeble efforts but in its turn inquired after view of Azerbaijan SSR government. The reletter of Bahyrov M.J. was addressed to Malenkov G. and contained substantiation of belonging the region to Azerbaijan SSR. Without objection to include it (HGAR) as part of the neighbour republic simultaneously he considered necessary to inform CC that “examining problem of including HGAR as part of Armenia SSR there should be also raised issue of transferring Azizbey, Vadi and Garabeylar districts of Armenian SSR to Azerbaijan SSR jurisdiction as much as they adjoin the latter and chiefly resided by Azerbajianis”. After such a reply Arutyunyan’s claim evidently remained without effect.

Nevertheless armenian lobby in Moscow headed by Mikoyans and Tevosyans didn’t reconcile itself to the failure, neither gave up its expansionist claims for primordially Azerbaijan lands, nor policy of violent deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia territory. Just changed aggression methods: once Azerbaijan claims those districts of Armenia where Azerbaijanis make up majority then it’s necessary to tackle urgent measures so that Azerbaijanis wouldn’t remain there or as little as possible.

It’s very likely that Mikoyan and Tevosyan took active part in adopting decree «On deporting collective farmers and other strata of azerbaijani population from Armenia SSR to Kur-Araz depression of Azerbaijan SSR» by USSR Ministers Council in December 23, 1947 bearing signature of Stalin.

This shocking document commences without any preamble, formal substantiation of the criminal action:

«USSR Ministers Council resolves: To deport within 1948-1950 on the voluntary basis 100 000 collective farmers and other azerbaijani residents from Armenia SSR to Kur-Araz lowland of Azerbaijan SSR, including 10 000 people in 1948, 40 000-in 1949, and 50 000 in 1950”.

It’s very noteworthy that application of USSR CEC (Central Executive Committee) and People’s commissars, Council decree «On privileges for agricultural resettlement» №115-204 dated November 17, 1937 concerning inhabitants exiled to Siberia, Gazakhstan was extended also to collective farmers deported to the districts within Kur-Araz lowland of Azerbaijan SSR.

As regards decree adopted in 1947 it’s true sense was laid bare in 11th paragraph: “To allow Armenia SSR Ministers Council use buildings and dwelling houses left by Azerbaijan population in view of resettling it in Kur-Araz lowland of Azerbaijan SSR for settling foreign Armenians arriving in Armenia SSR”. The wild, monstrous decree! However it ranks with other repressive activities against many people who fell into disgrace of «leaders».

No doubt remains after this A. Mikoyan succeeded in convincing «people’s father» that for settling Armenians arriving from abroad Azerbaijanis must be deported from Armenia.

The decisions were taken in such intolerable hurry that in March 10, 1948 USSR Ministers Council had to adopt supplementary decree №754 “On activities for resettling collective farmers and other Azerbaijani residents from Armenia SSR to Kur-Araz lowland of Azerbaijan SSR”.

Here were already specified concrete activities regarding the resettlement, founded Deportation office within Azerbaijan SSR Ministers council and “Azpereselenstroy” trust with construction – engineering branchs in Salyan, Ali-Bayramly, Sabirabad and Pushkin (present Bilasuvar) on the base of the samenamed office. For sake of gaining improper objects the armenian leadership was even ready to permit Azerbaijan SSR Ministers Council appoint the latter’s representatives in Armenian SSR (Yerevan city)…

It was difficult, post-war period, and of course in 1948 it failed to prepare enough land areas in Kur-Araz depression. Therefore the Council appealled in the written form to USSR Ministers Council with request of allowing settle a part of azerbaijani population to be deported that year in other districts of the republic. But the request remained unreacted. Both USSR MC and attached to it Central Resettlement Board insisted on placing azerbaijani residents deported from Armenia solely at the territory officially determined. Nevertheless despite on rigid demands of the soviet authorities Azerbaijan virtually hadn’t possibility of receiving and settling its 100 000 compatriots within 3 years. In missive addressed to G.Malenkov, USSR MC vice-chairman, dated September 21, 1949 the Republic MC chair pointed out:

“In order to create conditions for resettling 90 000 people (21000 during 2 years) roughly 20 000 dwelling houses, farmsteads (to value of over 400 mil. roubles) must be built within the above-mentioned period, along with major expenses for constructing industrial premises, schools, hospitals and laying on water-supply. The republic institutions occupied with resettlement are unable to implement such a great volume of building activities for 2 years”.

Allowing for above – stated the local MC requested to consider repeatedly the fixed plan for 1949 and 1950 and permit to resettle 10 000 people in 1949 and 15 000 – in 1950.In December, 1949 the republic MC chair appealled to USSR MC again, but this time with request of prolonging resettlement period till 1954 and determining Azerbaijan population resettlement schedule as next: 1951 – 10 000 people, 1952 – 20 000, 1953 – 20 000 and 1954 – 15 000 people.

Only Stalin’s death prevented from realizing the brutal plan of Azerbaijanis deportation from Armenia to Kur – Araz lowland of Azerbaijan.

It’s interesting that exact data concerning amount of people deported from Armenia that times are absent. Nevertheless there remained in local archives a certificate of the republic Agriculture Ministry being enough noteworthy document addressed to Azerbaijan MC and CPSU CC dated October 16, 1954 testifying that «there had been resettled 53 000 collective farmers and the rest inhabitants from Armenia SSR to the republic Kur-Araz lowland districts within 1948-1953”.

Of course it’s not at all precise number of Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia. Important that the archives have available numerous documents confirming the fact itself. It’s already enough to cite data testifying the following: the first deportation year among 15000 people roughly 6000 ones were placed in the republic’s other districts.

What dreadful human tragedies, fortune calamities are perceptible in the numerous documents recounting facts of the unauthorized deportation of azerbaijani families from Armenia that became alien, inimical to them! In this view information of Mammadov A., Vadi People’s Deputies District Council’s Executive Committee Chair, relative to unauthorized resettlement of 700 just from vadi district to Azerbaijan in 1948-1949 yy. Due to Director of resettlement Board attached to the Republic Ministers Council in 1949 856 agriculture running to over 4000 people were ressetled from Armenia SSR to Azerbaijan’s highland districts. In 1950 215, i.e. over 1000 people were placed in Shamkir district. Nakhchivan Regional Committee of the Party in missive dated April 27, 1949 requested to authorize settling 300 that came from Armenia SSR Vadi district at the territory of Nakhchivan ASSR.

With permission of the republic MC in 1948 100 removed from Armenia’s Basarkechar district to Khanlar district of Azerbaijan. One of certificates drawn up by the above-mentioned Resettlement Board workers contains data that within 1948-1951 over 1000 having left public property and collective farms of Armenia SSR arrived in some Azerbaijan districts.

All of these data incontrovertibly confirm that no less than 100 000 Azerbaijanis had been deported or had to remove themselves to Azerbaijan within 1948-1953. Thus took place armenianization of azerbaijani lands on which there used to be established artificially of bolshevists’ will Armenian state.

The documents contain numerous facts of Armenian republic administration’s jeering at azerbaijani residents. Below is mentioned one of them: after visit to Armenia Poladov M.M., Azerbaijan SSR Deputy Agriculture Minister informed Rahimov S.H., Ministers Council Chair, and Mustafayev I.D., Azerbaijan CPCC Secretary in certificate dated April 15, 1954 fact of azerbaijani collective farmers cluster’s illicit eviction:“Due to instructions of Karapetyan, former chair of Armenia SSR MC, in 1949 in Lambelu village of Alaverdi district there was abolished collective farm and 225 azerbaijani farmers were ressetled under compulsion to Georgia SSR. It was allegedly made with view of founding State farm of subtropical cultivated plants within collective farm. In order to obtain permission of soviet administration for abolishing the collective farm sham documents on most farmers’ willful departure to Azerbaijan SSR” were drawn up.

According to the same certificate, several days later at insistence of municipal bodies of Georgia SSR administration the collective farmers were compelled to leave Georgian territory. Further, but again in correspondence with Karapetyan’s directions they were deported to Armenian Basarkechar district. But three months later they had to return and were placed in slapdashly built earth-houses along frontier Georgia-Armenia zone.

The newly founded State farm director occupied former dwellings of the evicted farmers, demolished old cemetery having used gravestones for building new houses, and brought fully collective farm areas under subtropical cultivated plants.

One cannot help to see the next difference: when Azerbaijanis were evicted from Armenia SSR they compelled to abandon for ages lived-in places, suffered indignity, outrages, while in Azerbaijan all conditions were provided for armenian nation’s prosperity. For long decades the armenian nationality persons had been holding practically every state position in the republic. They could be met among USSR secretaries, Supreme Council, Ministers Council Vice-Chairs, ministers and their deputies, at some other state posts of the republic in which overwhelming majority of population provided Azerbaijanis. This allowed Marietta Shaginyan (Armenian writer) to declare that “Armenians lived in clover in Azerbaijan”… And Azerbaijanis more and more had been keeping away from their primordial territories and going deep into dry steppes and waste highland areas of Azerbaijan, its capital’s slums.

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1.  Look the document of Coucation Archeacogerphists Commison, volum 7. Tbilisi, 1878, page3.

2.  Look there again, volum 4. Tbilisi 1870, page 37-39.

3.  A.S.Qriboyedov. Essey, volum 2. M. 1971, page 339.

4.  N.I.Shavrov. The new menace for Russian work in Caucasus. Sankt Peterburg. 1911, page 59.

5.  Look N.I.Sharaov. Indicated essay, page 59-61.

6.  Yelizavetpol province. Collection of Cocation population.

7.  Look Caucsus calendars in 1892. II section. Page 1-30, 1894, V section, page 19 in 1898 year. III section, page 56-59 in 1907. III section, page 140-145

8.  Look Caucasus calendars in 1886. III. Section, page 56-59, in 1891, II, section page 1-29, in 1894, section V page 206-214, in 1907. III section, page 108-109.

9.  Caucasus calendar in 1917, article department, page 190-197, 214-221.

10.  M.S.Ordubadi. Bloody years. Baku. 1991, page 86, in (in Azerbaijan language).

11.  Look Russian Federation State Historical Archives. Fond 821, errata 7, document 290, sheet 39.

12.  Look The State archive of Azerbaijan Republic. (SAAR), fond 970, errata 1, document 242, sheets 3-7.

13.  SAAR, fond 970, errata 1, document 114, sheets 10-11.

14.   In details look Azerbaijan Republic Political Parties and social movements state archives.

15.  This degrees of USSR Ministers Council are kept in the present archioves whith in Azerbaijan Republic Cabinet of Ministers.

16.  SAAR, fond 411, errata 9, document 734, sheet 267.

17.  There again, fond 411, errata 28, document 78, sheets 51-52.

18.  There again, fond 411, errata 36, document 203, sheet 167.

19.   Look there again, fond 411, errata 9. document734, sheet 297, fond 411, errata 33, document ХХI sheet 84, fond 411, errata 36, document 139, sheet 184.

20.  There again, fond 411, errata 36, document 277, sheets 84-94.

Pashayev Atakhan,
Candidate of history

“Bakinsky rabochiy”, newspaper, February 6, 7, 1992, №26, 27.

Azerbaijanis Deportation from West Azerbaijan

In December 18, 1997 Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan Republic President signed special decree of “Azerbaijanis mass deportation from their historical-ethnical lands of Armenia SSR within 1948-1953”.1 Let’s trace back stages of Azerbaijanis deportation, eviction and genocide in historical succession.

It’s common knowledge that Peter the First, Russian emperor strived for isolating Moslem countries from each others, and simultaneously creating buffer area in South Caucasus between Russia, Iran (North Azerbaijan khanates) and Turkey. In reality Russia’s intention to occupy Turkey wasn’t secret and the former desired to proclaim Istanbul under Tsargrad name.

And whom were Russians supported by in struggle against Turkey? Of course, their allies in South Caucasus had to be Christian Georgians and Armenians. Right therefore occupation of Georgia and South Caucasus was put by Russia in the forefront. These intentions ranked high in “Testament” of Peter the First. Armenians who “faithfully served” to Turkey planned established at its territory Armenia state having felt the former’s weakening. For this purpose they sent representatives with numerous gifts to negotiate with Peter. Following North Azerbaijan’s annexation by Russia there commenced mass eviction of Armenians to Azerbaijan lands. The interesting fact is that they had been settled not in desert areas, but directly in mountainous lands inhabited by Azerbaijanis.

Enough data of this are contained in writings after Griboyedov A.S. who is our nation’s violent enemy and actively worked over the eviction matter.2 The information about Armenians’ settlement in West Azerbaijan (present Armenia) territories is abundant in “Overview of Russia’s Transcaucasian possessions” book (Saint – Petersburg, 1836 (in Russian)), works published by Shopen I. in the middle past century and many other written sources.3

Due to 1801 showings, in Iravan province resided 200 thousand people, 180 thousand of whom, otherwise 90 per cent made up Azerbaijanis. As a result of evicting here Armenians and physical annihilation of the indigenous dwellers among 177 thousand numbering population just 72 thousand (41 per cent) had been Azerbaijanis (according to 1832 data); without taking into account natural population increase at least 108 thousand people had been killed at this period. The survived 93 thousand ones, i.e. 52% formed Armenians. In the previous case the latters numbered 20 thousand people (10%). It’s seen that only during thirty years almost 110 thousand Moslem Azerbaijanis had been undergoing genocide, physically crushed by Russians and Armenians.

In 1916 Azerbaijanis totalled at the respective territory 374 thousand people otherwise 33 per cent. As to Armenians their numbers augmented owing to newly settled ones till 670 thousand (60%). We shouldn’t put all the killed down just to Armenians. Russia aspiring to establish at this territory the forenamed buffer zone is no less guilty than the formers.

We should stress that West Azerbaijan hadn’t been consisting only of Iravan province. There was a great deal of other areas which formed its part.

Due to archives data for 1910 (i.e. after massacre in 1905 and 2nd deportation stage) 64 per cent of population of the presently called Armenia Republic made up Azerbaijanis. But as result of pro-armenian policy pursued here by Russians, common armenian nationalistic ideology’s formation and dissidence of Azerbaijanis to Shiahs and Sunnites Azerbaijanis had been estranged from political activity, allowed to carry out just religious and economic (farming) practices.

The initial stage of Azerbaijanis’ deportation from the present Armenia territory is the late 19th cent. Afterwards within 1905-1907 and 1916-1920 under direct participance and instigation of Russians armed to the teeth Armenians had drived out, partly annihilated multithousand peaceful Moslem residents, burned down their villages for they could never come back here.

And why didn’t the foreign society pay heed to such atrocities of Armenians and Russians? In reality this reason was common knowledge: the formers were handy means for countries which craved for ruining gradually Ottoman empire, and when opportunity presented itself did their best to establish own state. “Dashnaksutun”, “Gnchak” parties and respective military units highly contributed to this cause.

Following policy of West Azerbaijan areas “deturkification” Armenians had copped to become proteges of Great Powers in South Caucasus already by the late 1st international war. Thus formed background for realizing wild idea of “Great Armenia” establishment.

The total area of initial Armenia state which appeared in historical proscenium after Transcaucasian Seim disbandment in May, 1918 was only 6 thousand square kilometers. Right since that time Armenians have begun war of aggression against Azerbaijan Republic under support and incitement of Bolshevists who had just ascended to power. We presented voluntarily as “share” some territories to Armenia. In May 29, 1918 Fatali khan Khoisky, the first prime-minister of Azerbaijan Republic wrote letter addressed to Mahammad Hasan Hajinsky, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister as below: “We settled with Armenians all disputablle points, they will accept our ultimatum (about giving up their territorial claims – E.M.) and the war will be over. We “ceded” them Iravan. Thus Armenia having been granted by Azerbaijanis with its future capital and later annexed Azerbaijani provinces such as Goycha, Daralayaz, Qaragoyunlu etc. formed in return for Russia military outpost and buffer area. The residents of the annexed territories had been either killed, or drived out off their forefathers’ lands.

In summer of 1918 treacherous one-eared Andronik Ozanyan first set out to Nakhchivan for cleaning pseudo-armenian areas from Turks, but having learned the impending arrival of Ottoman troops run away with fear and invaded Zangazur. Here he first demands of the local peaceful inhabitants subjecting Armenia Republic or leaving the province. It becomes clear from inquiries held in Azerbaijan’s western districts by Mikhailov, Azerbaijan Extraordinary Commission Member that isolated defenceless population of Zangazur flatly turned down the ultimatum of Andranik after what he commanded mass killing of the residents and led himself the atrocities. Trying to justify his actions Andranik who further migrated to USA wrote in his book (Boston, 1921) as below: “Due to my decree before the massacre leaflets in Armenian about Moslems’ removal were dispensed among them. But Moslems failed to obey demands listed in the leaflets”. We think unnecessary to comment upon such foolish invention. Firstly because leaflet affair was later fibbed as excuse. Secondly how would Moslem inhabitants read the leaflets in Armenian and obey his demands, if they couldn’t write, read correctly even in their native language?!

According to Andranik’s order the residents of such villages belonging to Zangazur province like Arikli, Shukur, Malikli, Pulkand, Shaki, Gyzyljyq, Irlik, Pakhlaly, Darabbas, Alili, Kurdlar, Sisian (the latter’s present name is Hatsavan, and Garakilsa name was changed into Sisian. This was done for covering any tracks of the villages, Turkic origin), Zabazadur, Hortuyuz, Arafsa and other turkic settlements had been shortly annihilated and villages themselves razed to the ground.4 At this period just within Zangazur over 120 Azerbaijan villages had been destroyed.

The same fate overtook many settlements of other West Azerbaijan provinces, most residents killed, the survived ones had to run away and save their souls. Marshal Bagramyan writes in his book “My reminiscences” that Mikoyan A.I. being promoted to position of USSR Supreme Council Presidium Chairman also used to battle for Andranik’s gang, partake in Turks’ eradication and deportation.

Vahram named ringleader of dashnak units, New Bayazid province’s native described heinous actions of his “dare-devils” in 1920 as below: “I was killing promiscuously Turks in Basarkechar. Sometimes I didn’t spare bullets. The best means against these dogs is gathering everyone who survived in the battle, throwing them a heavy stone so that nobody would remain. I did exactly this way: threw all men, women, children into wells stoning them...”.5

After proclamation of Soviet power in Armenia in November 29, 1920 Russia took by force Zangazur, Goycha, Daralayaz provinces and placed them under Armenia’s authority in December of the same year. Thus 20 thous. square km. more were added to the previous 9 thous. sq. km. to extend Armenia territory till 29 thous square kilometres. In 1929 well-known Nuvadi and other eleven villages were transfered to jurisdiction of Armenia. Thus took place establishment of Armenia state with 29,8 thous. square kilometred area at Azerbaijan territory. As a result common frontier between Azerbaijan and Turkey stopped existing. Having realized their plans Russians declared of the national dissension’s ending. Actually just Azerbaijanis believed it, Armenians again conducted secretly their former policy.

During conference of USA, USSR and England leaders since November 28 till December one of 1943 spokesmen for Iranian Armenians and those ones who lived abroad achieved Stalin’s reception, requested him to permit foreign Armenians return to Armenia and told it was time to advance territorial claims to Turkey. Stalin believed them and promised to undertake corresponding activities. He had been trying repeatedly to plunge Turkey into the 2nd international war.

After its ending in “Pravda” newspaper dated August 1, 1945 there was published editorial titled as “Our territorial claim to Turkey”. The latter had to look for support in the face of USA and European countries. This was confirming Soviet Russia being follower of its tsarist precursor’s expansionist policy.

According to Marshal Zhukov’s data for 1972 there were conducted measures for exiling Azerbaijan people to Kazakhstan, Middle Asia and Siberia in 1944 on Mikoyan’s initiative. Of course, Azerbaijan with its cleaned area was to be separated between Armenia and Georgia. Just owing to Mirjafar Bahyrov’s friendship with Beria and the former’s managing to influence Stalin this horrible scheme had been averted. Instead Mikoyan and Arutyunov G., Armenia CP Central Committee First Secretary again raised problem of placing Upper Garabagh under Armenia authority in missive dated November, 1945. The concrete plan was projected in this view and a letter containing motions adopted by Stalin and Malenkov sent to Azerbaijan for attaining the local leadership’s respective agreement. Bahyrov considered transference of Highland Garabagh to Armenia theoretically possible, provided Shusha would remain under authority of Azerbaijan, territories of Armenia SSR, Georgia SSR and Dagestan ASSR basically populated by Azerbaijan’s jurisdiction. Stalin who realized that no good would come of this all deferred “Garabagh problem”.

Armenians never resting content with it again by means of Mikoyan began evicting Azerbaijanis from Armenia SSR and thus by Azerbaijanis including Zangazur province be returned to paved the way for settlement here of allegedly “foreign” Armenians. As result “nations’ father” Stalin signed in December 23, 1947 decree № 4083 of USSR Ministers Council. According to this resolution 100 thous. numbering Azerbaijan inhabitants were to be resettled within 1948-1953 from Armenia to Azerbaijan’s Kur-Araz lowland (strange is the fact that it was categorically forbidden to place the population even at the highland areas of Azerbaijan being more accustomable for it).

The initial expartiants arrived in Kur-Araz region in June, 1948 and were accomodated in State farms of Zhdanov (present Baylagan) district.

The works for Azerbaijanis’ respective eviction were headed by Brutenz N.A., Azerbaijan Ministers Council department chief, Armenian by nationality. By the way, his son Karo Brutenz who left for Moscow to study at Social Sciences Academy and graduated it in 1954 declared very rudely to Mustafayev I.D., first secretary of Azerbaijan CPSU Central Committee his unwillingness to return to Baku and remained in Moscow. Afterwards he was promoted to CPSU Local Committee Foreign Links office Head Deputy, actively partook in founding “ASALA” armenian terrorist group in Livan. Later members of this organization arrived in Yerevan and played key role in conducting terror actions in Soviet Union, including Azerbaijan, and other countries.

Further this affair was charged to another Armenian – Sevumyan R.I. As well-known Azerbaijan historian Atakhan Pashayev neatly pointed “wolf was commissioned with guarding sheep”.

In general 100 thousand Azerbaijanis within 1948-1953 had been expatriated officially to Kur-Araz region and much more Azerbaijanis evicted unofficially to other districts. Basically they were settled in Gadabay, Gazakh, Tauz, Aghstafa, Shamkir, Safarali (present Khanlar), Dastafur (Dashkasan), Barda, Quba, Aghdam districts of Azerbaijan, as well as Mashtaghy and Azizbayov districts within Baku and they were deprived of fixed “concessions”.

Families who desired to settle down in Upper Garabagh had been ousted from there by means of creating insufferable conditions.

The residents of famous Lambali village, former Barany district renamed at Soviet period to Noyemberyan by Armenians were deported in frost November, 1949 in accordance with decree of Karapetyan S., Armenia SSR Ministers Council Chairman under pretext of subtropical plants collective farm establishment at the territory of the settlement. They were to be evicted to Georgian Borchaly province, but the local authorities achieved the expatriants’ return. Karapetyan permits them remove to Zod village within Basarkechar district. Simultaneously over 100 families were deported from the latter settlement and placed in Azerbaijan’s Khanlar province. Having displayed strong fortitude Lambalians after Stalin’s death could come back with great trouble to their primordial homeland and settle down in the respective village’s outskirts.

Unofficial deportation had been realized within 1950-90 ths. The last Azerbaijanis, residents of rather well-known Nuvadi settlement (Armenia) were expatriated from their motherland in August 8, 1991.

Investigating deportation stages the below inference proceeds: these developments were headed by single centre and conducted systematically. As result southern frontiers of Russia had been isolated from Turkey and Moslem countries, and Armenians enjoying the formed situation succeeded in establishing from nothing own state, like always trying to pretend “defeated party”.