Pakistani “Diplomatic star” magazine issues article “The Master of Diplomacy” on one of founders of ADR Alimardan bey Topchubashov
Baku, May 15 (AZERTAC). The Pakistani “Diplomatic star” magazine has published an article “The Master of Diplomacy” on one of founders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) Alimardan bey Topchubashov on the occasion of his 150th anniversary.
The article says: “There is nothing more elastic and inconsistent than politics. History remembers many ingenious politicians and diplomats who, with their skills and devotedness to the ideas of the Nation, left indelible imprint in the memory of the people.
Alimardan bey Topchubashov, a prominent Azerbaijani politician, Foreign Minister and Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was one of such figures.”
Speaking about the life of the Azerbaijani politician the article adds: “At the brink of the First Russian Revolution Topchubashov was one of the initiators of famous meeting of Azerbaijani intelligentsia and bourgeoisie at Taghiyev`s palace on March 15, 1905. As a result of this meeting a petition was addressed to Tsar asking for granting of full political rights and freedoms to the Muslim subjects of the Crown, distribution of land to the peasants who lack it, improvement of fabric legislation to include Muslim workers too.
At the same time Topchubashov was one of the founders of “Ittifaq al-Muslimin” (first political party of Russian Muslims) and organized its three conferences. He headed party`s third conference and became its bureau member and chief of its Law Commission. Later he became the leader of Party`s Muslim faction at the Russian State Duma, the new Russian parliament (1906). But after the First Duma was dissolved, Topchubashov was arrested for three months, lost his right to be ever a parliament member, deprived of his seat at Baku Municipality and “Kaspi” newspaper.
During this time Persia invited him to head one of the departments of Ministry of Justice and reform its judiciary system, but Topchubashov rejected this offer and remained in Russian Empire to continue his struggle for emancipation of Muslims.
After the ADR was proclaimed on May 28, 1918 Topchubashov became the minister without portfolio. Since the very first day of establishment of ADR he devoted himself to the recognition of Azerbaijan by World countries. In order to establish relations with Ottoman Empire and the Europe he was sent to Istanbul in capacity of Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
With great difficulties he reached Istanbul and during the months of October- November was received by Sultan as well as called on number of ministers and diplomats apprising them on developments in Azerbaijan.
On December 7, 1918 The Parliament of ADR has had its meeting in a very difficult political situation. In that session A.Tobpcubashov was made a Minister of Foreign Affairs at the second cabinet and was elected the Speaker of the Parliament in absentia, thus becoming second head of state of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, after Muhammad Amin Rasulzade. The Parliament also formed a delegation under the leadership of Alimardan bey Topchubashov to represent Azerbaijan on Paris Pease Conference. The delegation was directed to leave for France on 28 December, 1918.
Receiving to head of Azerbaijani Delegation at Versailles Conference, A. Topcubashev was able to leave Istanbul for Paris only on 22 April, 1919. In month of May he conducted number of meetings with representatives of Poland, Georgia, USA, UK, and etc. He prepared and presented a “Paris Peace Memorandum of Caucasian Azerbaijan Republic” consisting of 14 paras to the secretariat of the conference where the politics, economy, history, ethnography of Azerbaijan was highlighted. Perhaps the main achievement of Topcubashov at the conference was his meeting to the US President Woodrow Wilson. After the meeting the President of the USA stated: “From now on Azerbaijani Nation will be getting support of Great America … to preserve its freedom and independence”
On 15 Jan 1920 A. Topcubashov was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France where the official of the Ministry handed over to the Azerbaijani Speaker a document on de-facto recognition of ADR by France and Ally Country Members.
It was a great success of Azerbaijani diplomacy lead by skilful politician Topchubashev.
Alimardan bey Topcubashov could not return home after the Bolshevik takeover of ADR on 28 April, 1920 and stayed in Paris. Being in forced political asylum Topchubashov struggled till his last breath for the resumption of the state independence of Azerbaijan. Having participated on July 1920 at Spa (Belgium), April 1920 Genoa (Italy), February 1921 London (UK) conferences he raised his voice against occupation of his motherland.
He passed away on November 8, 1934 in Paris and was buried in Saint Cloud graveyard.
Only 57 years after the death his dreams of independent Azerbaijan came true.
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