Garegin Nzhdeh’s Letter to Joseph Stalin

“Citizen generalissimo! You partly know about me from rumors. I would not want to live if I did not feel that there are still missions worth living. Dying? Is there anything easier than death for an old patriot and revolutionary?

Doesn’t the contempt for death explain the fact that I didn’t leave Sofia? I am not interested in either life or death. Rather, I am only interested in my last wish in this world: to take part in the death of feudal Turkey.

Therefore, I would not want thousands of my followers and friends to say: “Lucky Turks, one of their enemies kills their other enemy!”

I would not want to die in your prisons.

Foreign Armenians will say: “The Bolsheviks killed the historical enemy of Turkey.”

Your enemies will benefit from my death. I did not leave, trusting you and being sure that my knightly-patriotic step will be understood and appreciated. This is known to some individuals abroad.

The anti-Turkish elements of foreign Armenians – the most active part of the Armenian emigrants – will consider my death a result of your foreign policy and your political advancement towards the Turks.

Now, when the enemies of the Soviet Union patronize huge anti-Soviet masses, the sacrifice of one sworn enemy of Turkey – disregarding the effect that this action will produce – cannot but be considered by the Turks as a sign of weakness.

Let me tell you another truth. Partial repatriation will not solve the problems of relations between the Armenian emigrants and the Soviet authorities.

The main thing is not the repatriation of several thousand Armenians but the creation of pro-Soviet sentiments among the Armenian emigrants and the use of the latter in the interests of the Soviet Union and Armenia.

I do not think that there would be another person more suitable than me to carry out this mostly patriotic mission.

I also do not think that you underestimate my past experience, my capabilities, and the determination of my colleagues in relation to feudal Turkey which defiantly turns into a springboard against the Soviet Union.

Citizen generalissimo!

Not leaving Sofia, I showed high patriotism and a sincere desire to reconcile with the Soviet government. I stayed trusting you.

He who trusts in a truly great man, true greatness, does not repent.

I believe that my knighthood will be answered by knighthood.”

1. Ter-Harutyunyan 16/10 December, 1947