Page 18 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

16

Behbud agha Shahtakhtinski (1881-1924), played an essential

role in this process

36

. Due to these factors, the Armenian Mili-

tary Revolutionary Committee recognized Nakhchivan as an

independent Soviet republic and declared to the world that the

Dashnaks ceased their claims concerning this territory

37

.

This declaration of the Armenian Military Revolutionary

Committee was simultaneously consistent with the foreign pol-

icy of Soviet Russia regarding the region, which was trying at

that time to establish relations with Kemalist Turkey.

Therefore, it was necessary to take real steps and make use

of their success and provide autonomy for Nakhchivan within

the Azerbaijan SSR. First, this required a guarantee of the au-

tonomy of Nakhchivan within the Azerbaijan SSR and the con-

sent of Moscow. In February-March 1921, negotiations were

conducted with this aim. B. Shahtakhtinski, who had left for

Moscow at N. Narimanov’s instruction, played an exceptional

role in the negotiations

38

.

As a result of Soviet-Turkish negotiations, the Moscow

Agreement was signed between the two countries on March 16,

1921. The agreement consisted of sixteen articles and two an-

nexes. Article 3 reads as follows: “Both of the contracting par-

ties agree that the Nakhchivan district creates an autonomous

territory under the protectorate of Azerbaijan within the limits

indicated in Annex I(s) of the present Agreement on the condi-

tion that Azerbaijan must not concede this protectorate to a third

state.”

39

This article was of historic significance in the determi-

nation of Nakhchivan’s destiny. The Soviet-Turkish agreement

concluded in Kars on October 13, 1921 also confirmed this

condition. The agreement’s fifth article stated that the Turkish

government and the governments of Soviet Armenia and Azer-

baijan agree that the Nakhchivan district be established as an

autonomous territory under the patronage of Azerbaijan within

the limits indicated in Article 3 of the present Agreement

40

.

The Azerbaijan Central Executive Committee’s (CEC’s) ses-

sion dated March 3, 1922 ratified the agreements concluded on

March 16 and October 13, 1921.

Monument of national hero Koroghlu. Nakhchivan.

Alinja tower. Julfa.