and life, the country had sent out. a delegation to Paris, to Peace Conference -
destination meant to decide the fate of the new world.
Even before the occupation of the young Republic by the XI Red Army (and
actually well after) the delegation had accomplished a lot in terms of gaining
recognition for Azerbaijan, its ancient history and culture and the right of its people to
live freely and independently on their historical lands. Members of the delegation had
written and had published books and brochures in English, French, Russian and other
languages, had established ties with political and diplomatic elite of the countries
represented at the Conference and had benefited from Western media.
In the meantime the delegation had regularly informed their government on
the developments at the Paris Peace Conference, meetings and discussions held within
its framework and had given a significant number of valuable recommendations to the
government, proceeding from the contemporary European realities.
Unfortunately, just like the true history of the first Republic all the
documents reflecting chronicles of the glorious political and diplomatic struggle had
been kept classified for decades, inaccessible for anyone, even scientists and
specialists in the field of history. However, as one of the most ancient books of the
mankind - The Bible reads: “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed”.
Only after regaining of Azerbaijan's independence several sources had been
disclosed to public regarding the activity of the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan in
Istanbul and Paris in 1918-1920 under A.M.Topchubashov, the prominent statesman
and diplomat, one of the founders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The book entitled
“Diplomatic conversations in Istanbul” (Baku, 1995, in Russian) by Hasa n Hasanov
and the books “Letters from Paris” and “Pisma iz Parija” (in Azerbaijani and Russian,
Baku, 1998) by Vilayat Guliyev with broad introductory remarks in Azerbaijani and
Russian were the first steps.
These books reflect the documents and other official information the
diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan had sent to the central government concerning their
activity aimed at gaining recognition of country's independence. Scientific research
and political propaganda had been another aspect of the activity of Azerbaijani
delegation. Being little known in Europe in early XX century, Azerbaijan had
seriously needed such an introduction activity. The book entitled “Claims of the
Peace Delegation of the Republic of Caucasian Azerbaijan presented to the Paris
Peace Conference” was initially published both in English and French by the
members of the delegation in Paris in 1919, and with original texts and Azerbaijani
translations it still retains its significance.
However before proceeding to reports sent to its government by the
Azerbaijani delegation to the Paris Peace Conference and information bulletins
published by them in European countries, it would be appropriate to unveil certain
facts about the members of the delegation, those whose hearts were filled with love
for their homeland and who among the first had lived the pride of national statehood.
COMPOSITION OF THE DELEGATION
The delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Paris peace Conference
consisted of prominent social and political figures and intellectuals. It is with their
lives and biographies that they had proven their determined struggle for national
liberty and heartfelt commitment to the idea of independence.
Born to a family of aristocrats in Tbilisi, known as a proven leader of not just
Azerbaijanis, but of all Turks and Muslims of tzarist Russia in early XX century, head
of the delegation to the Paris Peace Conference Alimerdanbey Topchubashov (1861-
1934) had graduated from the law faculty of Saint-Petersburg University. He had
commenced his social and political, literary and publicist activity in 1897, as a chief
editor of “Kaspi” newspaper sponsored by renowned oil millionaire, philanthropist
and patron of the arts H.Z.Tagiyev. During his editorship the newspaper had turned
into a megaphone of Azerbaijani people, whose basic human rights had been trampled
under tzarist tyranny and had gathered around itself democracy-minded intellectuals
with national ideas.
As a leader of Turks and Muslims of Russia Topchubashov had become
widely known for his consistent and principal political activity after the First Russian
Revolution of 1905. As one of the initiators and organizers of I-III Conferences of
Muslims of Russia held during the years 1904-1907, he had elaborated the Charter
and the Program of “Ittifagi Muslim” (Muslim Union) - party that had been
established in line with the decision of the III Conference, with himself being elected
to its Central Committee.
In 1906 Topchubashev had been elected a delegate to First State Duma from
the Baku province and had established a Muslim fraction in Duma, assuming its
leadership. He had been among, the 200 signatories to famous “Viborg Declaration”,
protesting Duma's dissolution by Tzar Nicolas II. After the collapse of tzarism in
1917, Topchubashev had played a significant role in convening Moscow Conference
of Muslims of Russia and in making of series of principal decisions regarding the
future relations of Turkic-Muslim population with Russia.
During this period he had also lead the activity of Central Committee -
coordination center of Muslim social-political organizations of the Trans-Caucasus.
On June 17, 1918 he had been appointed a minister without portfolio in the cabinet of
the second government formed by Prime Minister Fatali Khan Khoyski and on June,
22 had been delegated to Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire in the capacity of
the Ambassador Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In December 1918
Parliament of Azerbaijan had elected him its first chairman. On December 28,
Parliament had unanimously appointed him head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the
Paris Peace Conference.
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