Telegram from G. Ordzhonikidze to V. Lenin, I. Stalin, and G. Chicherin

History

On the Destruction of Armenian Villages in Karabakh and Tatar Villages in Zangezur Due to Interethnic Clashes, and the Friendly Reception of the 11th Red Army by the Local Population Baku, after May 12, 1920

Returned last night from Karabakh. The Armenian part of the city of Shusha and the surrounding lowland Armenian villages have been completely destroyed. Similarly, in the Zangezur district, Armenian forces have devastated Muslim villages. Both Armenian and Muslim populations are joyfully welcoming the Russian Red Army. I believe that the regions of Shusha, Nakhichevan, Ordubad, and Julfa will be occupied without resistance from the Armenian side. —Ordzhonikidze (CPA IML, f. 85, op. 13, d. 45, pp. 1–1 verso. Telegraph form.)

Inquiry from Chief of the Operational Council of the Field Headquarters of the RVSR, Afanasyev, to Chief of Staff of the Caucasian Front, S. Pugachev

Regarding the State Borders Between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the Response That These Borders Have Not Been Established May 14, 1920

Field Headquarters of the Caucasian Front, May 14, 1920. By order of the Revolutionary Military Council, I urgently request information on the state borders of Armenia. —Chief of Operational Council Afanasyev. Commissar Klim. (Resolution by S. Pugachev): “Note: Inform that such borders have not been established, and the Azerbaijani government possesses no documents regarding them. 15/V.” (RGVA, f. 109, op. 10, d. 52, p. 68. — Emphasis added by Y.B.)

Protocol and Resolution of the Congress of Representatives of All Villages of the Dizak District of Nagorno-Karabakh

On the Recognition of Karabakh and Zangezur as Integral Parts of Armenia Togh, May 14, 1920

In accordance with the instructions of the Provisional Government of Karabakh, delegates from all villages of the Dizak district were invited to the village of Togh for a congress. Government representative Mr. Arsen Mikaelyan (Ter-Ohanesyan) opened the meeting and proposed electing a chairperson and secretary from among those present.

Agenda Items:

  1. The Political Situation
  2. Current Issues

The congress first addressed the current political situation: the attitude of the people of Karabakh toward the Azerbaijani ultimatum and the Ararat Government. A discussion followed. After lengthy deliberations, the congress unanimously concluded that the Azerbaijani ultimatum was merely a pretext for unleashing new misfortunes upon the Armenian people, and that the Ararat Government should be recognized as their own. Karabakh, together with Zangezur, should join the Ararat Republic.

Proposed Resolution:

Having heard the report of the representative of the Provisional Armenian Government of Karabakh on the political situation and the notes from the Revolutionary Committee in Shusha, the congress of the Dizak district reached the following conclusions:

  1. The recent bloodless revolution in Azerbaijan is not Bolshevik in nature, but Pan-Islamist.
  2. The leaders of the former Azerbaijani government—aghas and beks—remain in their previous positions and have not been punished.
  3. The revolutionary Soviet government of Azerbaijan is led by individuals pursuing the same policies, particularly regarding the Karabakh–Zangezur issue.
  4. Despite the revolution, the previous power structures remain intact, gunfire continues, and figures like Sultanov and Nuri Pasha retain their posts. Violence against the remaining Armenian population in the city persists.

The Congress Resolved:

  1. To approve the response given by the Provisional Government of Karabakh to the notes from the Shusha Revolutionary Committee.
  2. That henceforth, decisions on this and similar matters should not be made separately or in isolation, but jointly with the Republic of Armenia.

Chairman of the Dizak District: N. Ter-Grigoryan Secretary (Priest): N. Ter-Movsesyan (PA KPA, f. 4033, op. 5, d. 90–91. Original manuscript. Translated from Armenian. Published in the collection: Nagorno-Karabakh in 1918–1923, Yerevan, 1992, doc. No. 321.)

Declaration by Sultanov, Former Provisional Governor of Karabakh and Appointee of the British Military Mission

In His New Role as Chairman of the Karabakh Revolutionary Committee May 22, 1920

“Revolutionary Karabakh, ever vigilant in defending the interests of the Azerbaijani proletariat, awaited the adoption of Soviet power by independent Azerbaijan as a salvation from the despotism of capital. Its hopes were thus directed toward Soviet Russia. Today, the democracy of Karabakh rejoices in the fulfillment of its cherished aspirations and is even more confident in ultimate success thanks to its alliance with Soviet Russia. The democracy of Karabakh is deeply convinced that the liberation of the working peoples of the East from the yoke of England and other imperialist Western powers will be achieved through the union of Soviet Azerbaijan, Soviet Russia, and Turkey. Long live Soviet Azerbaijan, Soviet Russia, and Turkey, the Red Army, and the leaders of the proletariat!” —Karabakh Revolutionary Committee, Chairman Khosrov Sultanov (Central State Historical Archive of Armenia, f. 200, op. 1, d. 581, p. 57. Newspaper clipping from Borba. Published in: Nagorno-Karabakh in 1918–1923, Yerevan, 1992, doc. No. 326)

Order from the Command of the 11th Red Army

To the Commanders of the 32nd Rifle and 18th Cavalry Divisions Regarding Their Deployment to the Terter Region Baku, May 25, 1920

I hereby order:

  1. The commander of the 32nd Rifle Division is to immediately redeploy units from the Terter–Yevlakh area to the location specified in Army Order No. 58 to carry out the same mission.
  2. The commander of the 18th Cavalry Division is to immediately depart from the Yevlakh area and move to Terter, where the division must be fully assembled no later than May 27.
  3. Upon arrival in Terter, both divisions are to execute the directives of the Azerbaijani Military and Naval Commissariat to “cleanse” the region of counterrevolutionary bands.
  4. Report receipt of this order and the actions taken in response.

—Commander of the 11th Army —Member of the Revolutionary Military Council —Chief of Staff (Central State Archive of the Soviet Army, f. 195, op. 3, d. 199, p. 67. Original. Published in: Nagorno-Karabakh in 1918–1923, Yerevan, 1992, doc. No. 327)

Bulletin No. 7 of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On the Continuation of Aggressive Policies in Karabakh by the Soviet Government of Azerbaijan May 27, 1920

On April 27, Bolshevik rule was proclaimed in Baku. On April 28, the acting People’s Commissar informed Haydar Bammat, representative of the Mountain Republic in Tiflis, that “Red Army units, having already occupied Yevlakh, are advancing along the Shusha highway with the aim of linking up with the Turkish Anatolian army. Georgia poses no threat to them, but should the Dashnak government resist, they will be forced to engage in combat.”

On April 29, Foreign Minister Ohandzhanian sent a telegram to Narimanov, Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars in Baku, requesting the suspension of troop movements toward Karabakh under the guise of Soviet forces, and urgent measures to halt military operations in Karabakh and Zangezur, including the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from these regions.

On May 1, the Armenian government received a radio message from Deputy Foreign Commissar Guseynov demanding the “cleansing of Karabakh and Zangezur from Armenian forces, withdrawal to their borders, and cessation of interethnic massacres.” Failure to comply, he warned, would be interpreted by the Revolutionary Committee of the Azerbaijani Socialist Soviet Republic as a state of war with the Armenian Republic.

That same day, a separate radio message signed by Ordzhonikidze, Kirov, Mekhonoshin, and Levandovsky was received, demanding the withdrawal of Armenian forces from Soviet Azerbaijani territory within 24 hours. Noncompliance would be regarded as a challenge to the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and would be met with force by the Russian Red Army.

On May 2, Foreign Minister Ohandzhanian responded to Ordzhonikidze’s note, stating that no Armenian forces were present on Azerbaijani territory. On the contrary, troops of the Musavat-bek government of Azerbaijan remained in Armenian Karabakh, where they had committed massacres to forcibly subjugate the population. The Armenian government requested that the new Azerbaijani government withdraw its forces from Karabakh and conduct a ninth plebiscite in accordance with the will of the people. It expressed confidence that the Soviet Russian government, which had repeatedly recognized Armenia’s independence, would not permit further violence against the Armenian working people.

To discuss the issues raised in the note, the Armenian government proposed setting a time and place for a meeting between delegates of Armenia and Soviet Russia.

On May 4, a telegram was sent to Guseynov proposing the cessation of all military actions and the initiation of negotiations to establish final borders and normalize relations between the two neighboring republics.

On May 8, the Armenian government received a radio telegram from Guseynov proposing negotiations to resolve all disputes and requesting that authorized representatives be sent to Baku no later than May 15.

On May 12, the Armenian Foreign Ministry responded with a principled agreement to begin negotiations, proposing the city of Kazakh as the meeting place. No reply from the Azerbaijani government had been received as of that date.

(Central State Historical Archive of Armenia, f. 200, op. 1, d. 427 (part 2), pp. 305–306. Printed copy. Published in: Republic of Armenia in 1918–1920 (Political History), Gitutyun Publishing, Yerevan, 2000, pp. 195–199)

Note from People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR G. Chicherin

To Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic E. Sklyansky On the Proposed Occupation of Disputed Territories by the Red Army as a Condition for Peace Negotiations with Armenia May 28, 1920 – Top Secret

Having initiated negotiations with Armenia, we have decided to demand the occupation by our forces of the disputed territories between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, if our units are redeployed elsewhere, we cannot uphold this demand. It is essential to receive information from you on this matter. —People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, Georgy Chicherin

Resolution by E. Sklyansky: “Personal. To the Commander-in-Chief. Please submit your conclusions and proposals. —Sklyansky, May 29” Resolution by S. Kamenev: “In resolving this issue, we must pursue a policy that possibly… [illegible] revitalization by us… [illegible]. I have repeatedly reported that our forces in the Caucasus are extremely limited. —S. Kamenev, May 29” (RGVA, f. 33988, op. 2, d. 290, p. 26. Original. Chicherin’s note in autograph.)

Note from People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR G. Chicherin

To Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic E. Sklyansky On the Necessity of Occupying Disputed Territories Between Armenia and Azerbaijan to Establish Direct Contact with Kemalist Turkey May 29, 1920 – Top Secret

To fulfill the role of arbiter between hostile ethnic groups and to prevent Armenian–Tatar massacres, it is necessary for our forces to occupy the disputed areas between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Comrade Ordzhonikidze specifically points to the regions of Shusha, Nakhichevan, Ordubad, and Julfa as appropriate for our occupation. Securing these areas will provide us with direct contact with Turkish nationalists and Persia, which is of critical importance to us. Please inform me of any orders you have issued in this regard. —People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, Georgy Chicherin

Resolution by E. Sklyansky: “Personal. To the Commander-in-Chief. Please inform me of your orders. —Deputy Chairman of the RVSR, Sklyansky, May 30” (RGVA, f. 33988, op. 2, d. 290, p. 27. Original. Chicherin’s note in autograph.)

Telegram from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the RSFSR S. Kamenev

With Member of the Revolutionary Military Council D. Kursky and Chief of the Field Headquarters of the RVSR Lebedev To Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council E. Sklyansky On Implementing Chicherin’s Proposal to Occupy Disputed Territories Between Azerbaijan and Armenia to Establish Contact with Turkish Nationalists and Persia May 31, 1920

Comrade Chicherin has submitted a proposal to occupy the disputed territories between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to establish contact with Turkish nationalists and Persia by securing the regions of Shusha, Nakhichevan, Julfa, and Ordubad.

With similar objectives, the Commander of the Caucasus Front issued Order No. 33/sh to the Commander of the 11th Army on May 11 of this year (copy attached), instructing deployment to the regions of Nakhichevan, Ordubad, and Shusha with strong garrisons.

In execution of this order, our units began moving toward Shusha, currently held by Azerbaijani forces. However, the transfer of the 28th Division to the Western Front weakened the 11th Army, and the uprising in Elisavetpol delayed our advance. Consequently, the Commander of the Caucasus Front issued Directive No. 032/s (copy attached), assigning the 11th Army the primary task of securing the Baku region, while also emphasizing the need to occupy Zakataly, Elisavetpol, and Shusha with sufficient forces and to halt ethnic violence.

Fully agreeing with the Caucasus Command’s strategy, I report that securing and holding the regions of Nakhichevan, Julfa, and Ordubad is only feasible if the Azerbaijani rear remains stable or if the 28th Division, originally designated for redeployment, remains within the 11th Army.

Attachments: Two copies of directives from the Caucasus Command No. 38/sh and 032/s —Commander-in-Chief of All Armed Forces of the Republic, S. Kamenev —Member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, D. Kursky —Chief of the Field Headquarters of the RVSR, Lebedev

Resolution by E. Sklyansky: “All documents top secret. Personal to Comrade Chicherin. —E. Sklyansky” (RGVA, f. 33988, op. 2, d. 290, p. 9)

Telegram from Armenian Foreign Minister A. Ohandjanian

To People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR G. Chicherin, the Head of the Armenian Delegation in Moscow, and Member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Caucasus Front G. Ordzhonikidze Confirming Armenia’s Readiness to Resolve the Dispute Over Nagorno-Karabakh Through the Will of Its Population and Proposing the Withdrawal of Soviet Troops to Ensure Free Expression of That Will Yerevan, May 31, 1920

Through authorized representatives Ter-Gabrielyan, Kaidalov, and Parnaki, Chairman of the Military Council of the Caucasus Front, Ordzhonikidze, has informed the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh of the Council’s intention to deploy Russian Red Army units into the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which, according to their statement, should belong to Soviet Azerbaijan up to the Akeri River.

Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh, which remained untouched throughout the World War despite assaults from Turkish, Kurdish, and Tatar forces on all sides, has, in eight successive congresses of its peasant deputies, consistently and categorically resolved to join its native Republic of Armenia. In late April of this year, the Ninth Congress of Peasant Deputies of Karabakh reaffirmed the decisions of previous congresses, declaring its unwavering intention to unite with the Republic of Armenia. That same congress categorically rejected the possibility of recognizing Azerbaijani authority, even after the political upheaval and establishment of Soviet power in Azerbaijan.

Despite these facts, the Armenian government, wishing to spare the peasantry of Karabakh further suffering from war, has repeatedly proposed to the Azerbaijani government—whose attempts to impose its authority on Karabakh’s peasantry by force have been met with resistance—that the issue be resolved peacefully through mutual agreement between the two republics.

At present, as my government’s delegation has traveled to Moscow to establish friendly relations between the Republics of Russia and Armenia, Commissioner Ordzhonikidze’s demand that Karabakh’s peasantry consider itself part of Azerbaijan—contrary to its clearly expressed will—appears entirely incomprehensible. My government is also unaware on whose behalf Commissioner Ordzhonikidze speaks—whether for Soviet Russia or Soviet Azerbaijan.

My government has already communicated its readiness to entrust the future of Karabakh to its own population and, through the conduct of a tenth plebiscite, to determine its true desire, intention, and decision regarding affiliation with a particular state entity.

We hereby reaffirm this readiness and request that you discuss the matter with our delegation in Moscow. In the interest of ensuring the freedom of expression of Karabakh’s population and sparing its peasantry the inevitable bloodshed that would result from the forced advance of Soviet troops into their homeland, I respectfully request, on behalf of my government, that you urgently order the suspension of further military movement into Armenian Karabakh and the withdrawal of troops from the Hasan Riza district of the Jevanshir uezd, which lies within the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

—Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, A. Ohandjanian (Central State Historical Archive of Armenia, f. 200, op. 1, d. 581, pp. 62–63. Typescript. Published in: Vestnik Arkhivov Armenii, 1989, No. 1, pp. 119–120) 441

Yuri Barsegov “Nagorno-Karabakh in International Law and Global Politics”

Artatsolum

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