150 thousand km2 that it had controlled, Azerbaijan had received 86.6 thousand km2
within the Soviet Empire.
Despite the existence of many disputed issues, and even military conflicts
and local wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Georgia and Armenia, in their
“Claims” presented to the Peace Conference the Azerbaijani delegation had viewed
the future of these three countries and the Republic of Caucasian Mountaineers as a
confederation. Be it in the past or at present by taking that strategic step the largest
country of South-Caucasus in terms of economic potential, natural resources, area and
population - Azerbaijan declared its readiness to protect the region's independence
and unity, to share its potential with close neighbors and to fight jointly against the
common enemy. However, obstructive position of Armenia had hindered the
establishment of aforementioned “Caucasus house” - possibly the only way out under
such complicated circumstances. This country, acting as a forepost of Russia in the
Caucasus, had caused the emergence of similar destructive processes, and national
and ethnic confrontation in the region even after the collapse of the Soviet Empire.
“Claims” had indicated the colonial policy of tsarist Russia and principles of
governmental policy of national and religious segregation as a primary obstacle for
social progress of Azerbaijanis and other “Muslim nations” : “It is true that millions of
Azerbaijanis are very little known, their ethnography, history, literature, lifestyle is
yet to be the topic of serious research. It is also true that the 100 year old Russian
reign is to blame”.
Azerbaijani diplomats that adhered to the method of social evolution had
drastically rejected promises of the Bolsheviks regarding fundamental changes: “The
Azerbaijanis regard the universal progress as an evolution process without any leap
forwards. This is a logical development process where factors contradicting social and
political life and ethical norms play a little role”. 70 years long frightening
experiments of Communist ideology had once again demonstrated how objective and
visionary Azerbaijani diplomats had been in respect of not only their historical
homeland, but also of that of Russians and other nations of the empire.
Relations of independent Azerbaijan with future Russia had been clearly and
specifically defined in the “Claims” : “Without emphasizing the trials and tribulations
we had experienced throughout century long existence in this country, we neverthe-
less wish prosperity to Russian people on their lands, within their new state. As to
Azerbaijan, it wishes not to remain within Russia any further. Azerbaijan recognizes
only its Parliament and its state”.
Therefore one of the primary claims of the delegation to the Peace
Conference was the official recognition of secession from the Russian Empire of
Azerbaijan and other republics of the Caucasus. Staunchly supporting this idea,
Azerbaijan had clearly rejected both the participation of Azerbaijan in the Constituent
Assembly and entering into new state to be established under federative principles.
Amid other claims, there had been participation of Azerbaijani delegation
members in the activity of committees and commissions of the Peace Conference and
Azerbaijan's recognition by the League of Nations. Concise information regarding
Azerbaijani Government and Parliament reflected in the “Claims” had once again
affirmed the existence of stable local government institutions that were standing by
for international cooperation.
“Claims of the Peace Delegation of the Republic of Caucasian Azerbaijan
presented to the Paris Peace Conference” is significant not only as a historical source
or significant event of our diplomatic history. This book had contained a great number
of aspects that retain their significance and are consonant with the present situation in
Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region. A number of vital issues that had been raised by
the diplomats of the First Republic of Azerbaijan in early XX century remain on the
political agenda of the Third Republic in the beginning of the XXI century. This
significant factor had been considered during the preparation for the publication of
Azerbaijani translation, as well as elaboration of English and French texts of the
“Claims”.
The delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Paris Peace Conference
had concluded their “Claims” with the following words: “Material resources and
moral values of our nation, its respect for the law and order, principles of statehood
are the biggest guarantees of its further independent existence”.
It was the endurance of moral and vital principles established during the
short government period of the Republic of Azerbaijan that had contributed to
Azerbaijani people's significant role in the collapse of the Soviet Empire and
establishment of its independent national state, regardless of all the hardships.
Vilayat Guliyev
THE FRONTIERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
I. NORTHERN FRONTIER*
The Northern frontier of Azerbaijan starts from the spot where the river
Tcholock throws itself into the Black Sea (confines of Georgia). It goes up along the
river as far as the Adjar mountains.
Following this ridge, it reaches the summits of Khino (8.522 feet) Toshnaour
(8.735 feet), Gotimeria (8.760 feet), Sallar-Dagh (8.162 feet), the pass of Zekar,
Mount Nagueba and the summit of Sagalatlobachi (8.141 feet).
Thence, it goes down towards the South-East, following the Keida-Sou, an
affluent of the Kura. Crossing this river, it follows the Tisselba towards the summit of
Tchitis-Kibey (8.554 feet), follows the water divide of the affluent of the Kura, turns
southward as far as the Kura, near the village of Akhashen, then still southward, it
goes along the Kura down to the village of Kurtanakev.
The frontier turns then eastward along the line of the former Russian
administrative divisions: district of Akhalkalak; territory of Kars, district of
Alexandropol, county (goubernia) of lirivan, passes on the summits of mounts Ghek-
Dag (9.152 feet), Ootch-Tapalar (9.783 feet) Ortoul-dag (8.030 feet), Okiouz-dag
(8.018 feet) and Ak-tshala (10.500 feet).
From this point it goes up northward, following the line of the former
administrative division between the districts of Akhalkalak and Bortchalu, then the
summits of mounts Emlikli (10.017 feet), Agrikar (9.765 feet), the chain of Davakran
and touches the summit of Mount Dali-Dag (8.624 feet).
From this point it turns eastward, passes on the summits of mounts Iniak-dag
(6.636 feet), Boulak-Dag (6.317 feet) up to the village of Alexanderhilf.
Beyond this village, the frontier goes along the river Khram as far as the
village of Aroukhlo and the summits of Great Tkialam-Tapa, in the North-Eastern
direction, it goes in parallel to the Alexandropol-Tiflis railway line for about three
versts westward, it crosses a little further the Elizabethpol-Tiflis railway line, at 6
Jem. from the Navtloug railway station.
From here, the frontier turns eastward again and passes over the summits of
Mounts Kara-Dara, Sari-yer, Karavan-Tapa, Naomari (3.185 feet), the villages of
Muganly and Toollar (on the Yora) the summits of Lambeli (2.537 feet), the ridge of
Katari, the summit of Mliatis and finally Bilenta (3.052 feet) and Nikoratsikha (3.290
feet). Then turning again northward it reaches at last the confluent of the Taran-Kobu
and Azan, after crossing the village of Kara-Akatch. Still in the same direction it fol-
*
O riginal stylistics o f th e docum ent had been preserved
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