The delegation of Azerbaijan was struggling for independence and political
and ideological unity of not only of their country, but also of that of the entire
Caucasus. Be it in Istanbul or Paris, it was Azerbaijanis that adhered tenaciously to
the idea of modern expression of the “Caucasus home”. During the adoption of vital
documents, the delegation had performed in line with interests of the Caucasus in
general, acting in a concerted manner with Georgia and Republic of Caucasian
Mountaineers. Unfortunately, just like these days, due to the obstructive stand of
Armenians of that period the idea of “The Caucasus home”, favorable to all the
nations of the region, had gained no further development.
The delegation's eight-month long intense, however fruitful activity in Paris
produced its results. On January 11, 1920 Supreme Council of the Paris Peace
Conference had adopted a decision on recognition of Azerbaijan and Georgia as
newly- independent states. One of the witnesses of that historical moment Miryagub
Mirmehdiyev later wrote: “The representatives of Azerbaijan and Georgia were
invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France -
V.G.). Later Monsieur Kambon expressed to them his gratitude on behalf of the
conference. Monsieur Kambon stated that Republics of Azerbaijan and Georgia had
been officially recognized as independent states based on the norms of international
law. From this moment both countries will engage in official contacts with the
Supreme Council, seek registration at the conference and saticfaction of their needs
and being an equal member, claim legitimate rights during the conference. Moreover,
Kambon stated that act of recognition of the governments of these states must be
accompanied with the recognition of their secession from Russia. Therefore,
proceeding from this one may say that the republics of Azerbaijan and Georgia will
be considered from today on sovereign states.”
The very decision had been reiterated once again, this time at a higher level,
a week later on January 19, during a meeting of the Supreme Council held with
participation of the heads of governments. In their speeches at the conference
Topchubashev and Meherremov had emphasized that if the European countries will
provide certain military and economic aid, the Republic of Azerbaijan would preserve
its independence and prove its capability to evolve into a developed state. One has to
agree with the historian professor Jamil Hesenli when he said, “Political recognition
of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the Paris Peace Conference in January 1920 must be
regarded as an outcome of successful diplomatic activity of Azerbaijani delegates
headed by Topchubashev.”
Azerbaijan had been de-facto recognized. An outstanding task was to
achieve de-jure recognition of the newly-independent state. However, the matter had
not depended solely on the Azerbaijani representatives at the Peace Conference.
Much had depended on the approach of the Western world and the US to newly
independent states. Collapse of the three empires - Ottoman, Russian and Austria-
Hungary in the aftermath of World War I demanded the rearrangement of the world
map. Would there have been a place for a small, yet strategically located wealthy
Azerbaijan on this political map? Would leading countries permit the Bolshevik
Russia to restore the empire within its former boundaries? Unfortunately, national
aspirations for independence were not sufficient...
THE DELEGATION' S FATE
Regardless of all the efforts of the delegation, dreams of the Azerbaijani
people of finally living independently after 100 year old Russian oppression, of
establishing its statehood and of becoming owners of their lands and destiny had not
been materialized. On April 28, 1920 The Bolsheviks, sharing the same view with the
White Guards on the idea of “united and indivisible Russia” had once again occupied
Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan had demised on the 23rd month of its
existence. For the delegation that had fought the battle for Azerbaijan in Paris for
more than a year, regardless of difficulties and privation, the roads leading home had
been eternally closed. However, no matter how bitter and painful were the news they
had received in early May in Paris, it had neither reversed their aspirations for inde-
pendence nor yielded their determination.
On September of that year Topchubashev in his memorandum submitted to
the League of Nations in Geneva had riveted attention to the fact of occupation by the
Bolsheviks of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a state that had declared its independence
and had been de-facto recognized by a number of countries, and urged the League to
express its position in respect of this flagrant act of incursion. On November of the
same year he had delivered a speech at the League of Nations in Geneva and had once
again brought the fact of Azerbaijan's occupation to the agenda. As an authorized
representative of Azerbaijan, which had been subject to military aggression,
Topchubashev's speeches oil protest at the conferences in Genoa and Lozano in 1920
and later in London in 1923 had not been fruitless. The Genoa conference had denied
the Bolsheviks right to speak on behalf of Azerbaijan.
In France in 1920-s, being a renowned leader of the political emigrants from
the former Russian empire, Topchubashev in his numerous articles and speeches had
tried to rivet world's attention to Azerbaijan's trampled rights on one hand and by all
means to establish and strengthen mutual cooperation between political emigrants,
especially representative of the former republics oil the Caucasus on the other hand.
Based upon his initiative and guidance authorized representatives of Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia in emigration had decided to act from the standpoint of a
political and economic union.
During these years Topchubashev had also accomplished a lot in terms of
creating a single focal point and strengthening unity and solidarity among Azerbaijani
political emigrants. He had tried to put an end to variance between the Azerbaijani
political emigrants of Europe and National Center of Azerbaijan in Turkey and had
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