Kurakchay Treaty
For some time past in connection with the fact that the Armenian nationalists put forward a false and forced problem for "self-determination of the Karabakh Armenians" and carry out the open armed aggression against the peaceable Azerbaijan population living on their primordial ancient land - Karabakh the unsubstantiated statements of the Armenian geopoliticians and their hirelings became widespread that Karabakh belongs to Armenia. However, the historical facts represent the incontrovertible evidence of the contrary.
IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD
We Ibrahim-khan Shushinsky (of the city of Shusha) and Karabakhsky (of the khanate of Karabakh) and General of infantry of all Russia's troops Caucasian inspection on infantry and others Prince (knyaz) Pavel Tsitsianov with the full power given to me by his Emperor's Highness the dearest and greatest Sir Emperor Alexander Pavlovich took up with the help of God the matter of granting everlasting citizenship of all Russian Empire to Ibrahim khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky with all family, posterity and possessions of his. The Treaty was concluded, confirmed and signed with the following articles.
ARTICLE I
Ibrahim khan Shushinsky on my behalf, on behalf of my heirs, successor abdicate and vassalage and whichever title it might be any dependence from Persia or any other state and in this way I declare the fact to the whole world that I don't consider myself and the successors of mine of having any power. The only power we recognize is the Supreme Power of His Emperor's Highness All Russia's great Emperor and his greatest heirs and successors of All Russia's Emperor Throne. I promise to keep faithfulness to the throne like faithful slave and to which I have to swear on Koran in accordance with the custom.
ARTICLE II
His Emperor's Highness on behalf of his openhearted promise he gives his word of honour and reassures with his Emperor's word of honour for himself and for his successors that favour and care towards Ibrahim Khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky and will never cease to exist.
To prove this fact His Emperor's Highness gives the guarantee to keep the whole possessions and successors of His Magesty (khan) intact.
ARTICLE III
To repay the openheartedness of Ibrahim-khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky to recognize the supreme and sole power of All Russia's Emperor over himself and his successors this article states that he, the Khan and later his elder son and each elder successor when accepting the khanate has the right to receive Emperor's confirmation on the khanate from the Governor of Georgia. It consist of the deed (official document), official state seal. While receiving it the new Khan is to take the oath to be faithful to Russian Empire and to recognize the supreme and sole power of Russian Emperor over himself and his successors. The form of the oath is enclosed in this Treaty. The present Ibrahim-khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky took the oath in presence of Governor of Georgia and general of infantry prince Tsitsianov.
ARTICLE IV
I Ibrahim-khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky to prove that my intentions towards my and my successors' faithfulness to All Russia's Empire and recognition of the Supreme and sole power of the highest possessors of the Empire promise not to have any relations with neighboring possessors without preliminary consent of Governor of Georgia. And when the envoys from them come or the letters are sent I promise to send most important ones to the Governor and demand the solving of the questions from him and the ones with less importance to be reported and discussed with the person representing the Georgian Governor at my place.
ARTICLE V
His Emperor's Highness accepts the recognition of his supreme and sole power over the possessions of Ibrahin-khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky with good will and promises: 1) to treat the peoples of these possessions with the same honour as his own faithful citizens without sorting them out from those inhabiting the vast Russian Empire. 2) to preserve continuously the honour of Ibrahim-khan, his spouse, heirs and posterity in the area of Shusha khanate. 3) to give all the power of internal governing, court and persecution, income and its possession to Ibrahim-khan. 4) in order to guard Ibrahim-khan, his spouse and his possessions I promise to send troops (500 persons) with cannons, headquarters and officers and in case of greater defence the Governor of Georgia will have to increase the number of troops due to circumstances to defend militarily the possessions of All Russia's Empire.
ARTICLE VI
I Ibrahin-khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky in response of my faithful diligence make commitment: 1) At the beginning and later on to store up the necessary quantity of wheat and corn by reasonable price determined by the Chief Governor because its supply from Elisavetpol is rather difficult or even must be stated as impossible. 2) The above mentioned troops should be provided with houses to stay in Shusha Fortress. They should be selected by the will of the Commander. They should be supplied with reasonable quantity of firewood. 3) To make the Elisavetpol bound entrance into Shusha fortress comfortable and to build the road suitable for arba passing. 4) It would be convenient for the government to build up a road from Shusha Fortress in direction of Djevad. The workmen must be paid the salary determined by the government.
ARTICLE VII
His Emperor's Highness showing his goodwill and kindness to his majesty Ibrahim-khan kindly presents his banner with the state Emblem of Russian Empire which is to be kept with him a symbol of khanate and power. Nobody except the khan has the right to carry it to war as it was presented by his Emperor's Highness.
ARTICLE VIII
I Ibrahim-khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky having His Emperor's Highness permission to spend my usual income make the commitment to pay contribution into the exchequer treasury of His Emperor's Highness in Tifliss 8.000 chervonets (gold piece coin) a year, to pay it in two halves. 1st half on February 1st and the second half on September 1st beginning with the 1st payment of 4.000 chervonets. Conforming the concluding this treaty by his Emperor's Highness and according to Asian tradition, besides the oath to faithfulness I pawn my elder son's Mamed-Hassan-Aga's son of the second Shukur-Ullah to stay forever in Tifliss.
ARTICLE IX
His Emperor's Highness kindly expressing his mercy as a taken of faithfulness guarantees his Majesty khan's grandson 10 roubles of Russian money a day.
ARTICLE X
This Treaty is concluded for ever and is not to be subjected to any changes from now to forever.
ARTICLE XI
The confirmation of this Treaty by His Emperor's Highness with the state sealed deed (official document) must be presented within 6 months after its signing or sooner if possible.
In confirmation of that the undersigned parties signed these articles in the camp of Elisavetpol region near Kurek River in summer of 1805 A. D. (Mohammedan 1220) on May 14th.
Gulustan Treaty
Such document materials as Gulistan (October 12, 1813) and Turkmenchai (February 10, 1828) treaties signed between Russian and Iran as well as the treaty on May 14, 1805 signed between the Karabakh khan Ibrahim and the Russian empire on transfer of this khanate under Russia's dominion demonstrate vividly that the empire was winning exclusively the Azerbaijan lands where the Armenians from Turkey and Iran resettled later on. None of these documents contains any mentioning of the Armenians or Armenian estates in Karabakh as if passing under Russia's power. Publication of this document will be a proper answer to the Armenian falsifiers and their paid advocates.
IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD
With the intention to cease horror of the war and re-establish steady peace and well-wishing friendship neighborhood shared by Russia Empire and the State of Iran since the ancient times, The GLORIOUS and the GREAT EMPEROR and RULER of All Russia HIS MAJESTY the EMPEROR and the Head of the State of Iran, HIS MAJESTY the King, for fair purpose of saving and caused with deep love to their homagers, appointed their underwritten authorised Representatives:
The Emperor of All Russia HIS MAJESTY appointed HIS General-lieutenant Nikolay Rtishev- the Chief commander of forces in Georgia and Caucasus line, the Chief of the Civil Affairs in the governors of Astrakhan and Caucasus and Georgia, the Chief of all Border Affairs about Georgia, the Commander of Caspian Navy, the owner of the orders of the Saint Alexander Nevski, the first Saint Anna, the forth rank Saint Martyr and the order of Skilled Georgy, the owner of gold sword with the script for courage. His Majesty king of Iran appointed his extreme ambassador in Turkish and English Palaces, High-rank Respectful Mirza Hasan Khan-distinguished among Iranian chiefs, awarded with a set of dagger and sword decorated with brilliants, shawl cloth and horse accessories decorated with brilliants, the Close Homager of his King, the Councillor of Secret Affairs of the Supreme Iran Palace and the second Khan in Iran Palace from Vizier family. Met in Karabakh in the village of Gulustan near the river Zeyva, exchanged our warrants, carefully studied everything related with peace and friendship to be re-established on behalf of our GREAT LEADERS and by the force and the Supreme authority given to us, WE -the abovementioned Representatives adopted and forever affirmed the following:
ARTICLE I
This Treaty finishes the enmity and disagreement between the Empire of Russia and the State of Iran today and in the future and since establishes eternal peace, friendship and agreement between HIS MAJESTY EMPEROR of All Russia and HIS MAJESTY the king of Iran and the Successors of THEIR Throne.
ARTICLE II
As both of the Supreme States mutually agreed to re-establish peace basing on the primary relations, i.e. by preserving lands, khanates and properties they already had, today and in the future to identify the borderline between the Empire of All Russia and the State of Iran as follows: Adinabazar-straight through Mugan lowland-Yeddibulag passage-up to the joint of the river Kapanak with Araz-along the right bank of the river Kapanak to Mehri chain- along the boundaries of Karabakh and Nakhchivan khanates-the chain of Alagoz mountains-the boundary of Daralayaz joining to the boundaries of Karabakh, Nakhchivan and Iravan khanates and part of Yelizavetpol (former Ganja khanate) region- along the boundary separating Iravan khanate from Yelizavetpol district, Gazakh and Shamsaddin lands to the boundary of Eshekmeydan-the mountain chains- the right bank of the river in the direction of the stream-the road of hamzachiman-the chain of Pambak mountains- the boundary of Shuragol-mountain chains till Arpachay along the passage between Mastaras and Artikin. For the reason that the territory of Talish passed around during the war, for more fairness, the boundaries of that khanate at Zinzeley and Ardabil will be determined by mutually selected Commissars (under the Chief Commanders they are to give the exact and detailed description of the lands, villages, valleys, rivers, mountains, lakes and national boundaries under the real disposal of the parties), after this treaty concluded and signed. The boundaries of Talish khanate then should be determined in such a way that each party can remain the owner of its lands. If something remains aside the determined above boundaries, each party will give guarantee after the Commissars of the both Supreme States analysis.
ARTICLE III
To prove friendly attitude to the MAJESTY of All Russia EMPIROR, on behalf of himself and HIGH SUCCESSORS of IRAN THROWN HIS MAJESTY King solemnly accepts that the following belong to the property of Russian Empire: Karabakh khanate and Yelizavetpol province(former Ganja khanate), the khanates of Sheki, Shirvan, Derbend, Guba, Baku and Talish (territories under Russian Empire), Dagestan, Georgia (together with the province of Shuragol), Imperiya, Guriya, MIngrelia and Abkhaziya, and all the properties and lands between established Caucasus line borderline (with people and lands related with the Caspian).
ARTICLE IV
To express friendship attitude to HIS MAJESTY Shah of Iran and to confirm his wish about stable autocracy and sovereign government in Iran- his neighbor, HIS MAJESTY the EMPIROR of All Russia, on behalf of himself and his successors, promises to render a Successor, till he is appointed the heir of the state by the King, necessary assistance that no foreign forces could interfere the State Affairs of Iran and that the Iran palace could strengthen with help of Supreme Russia Palace. If there is any conflict appears among the sons of the King on the State Affairs of Iran, the Empire of Russia will not interfere until the call of the King at the power.
ARTICLE V
Russian trade ships of preserve the right to sail near the Caspian shore and to moor them and Iran will help Russia in shipwreck. Iran shares the same rights. As to public vessels, they sailed under Russia's flag before the war and during the peace. In the frames of the same respect, Russia preserves the former right and no other country may use it flag in the Caspian but Russia.
ARTICLE VI
Hostages of from the both parties, Christians and the population of other religion are to be released within three months of the date Treaty concluded. Each party should supply the hostages with food and with fare till Garakilsa (the place where borderline chiefs create mutual relation for delivery of the hostages). Each escaped by himself, or escaped violation the law despite of his nationality, has the freedom to return his Motherland without any force. The both parties shall give amnesty to the escaped or pardon them.
ARTICLE VII
In addition to all the abovementioned HIS MAGESTY THE EMPEROR of All Russia and the Majesty of King of Iran, demand to mutually receive Ministers or the Ambassadors of THEIR Supreme Palaces as deserve their rank and tasks. The suite of Representative or Consuls appointed for protection city trade should nor exceed ten person. As authorized officials, they should have deserved for their position respect and honor. According to the Injunction nobody has right to harm them and if there is any, the citizens of the both parties shall be fairly judged.
ARTICLE VIII
As to commercial relations between the citizens, having the written documents given by the government or appointed officials by it, which prove that they are the merchants or the citizens of Russia or Iran, the visit to the both Supreme States -the parties of the agreement- by land and through the Sea is free. It is also free to remain there, to send there merchants, to leave there without any delay, to send and exchange goods brought to Iran from Russia and from Russia to Iran. To clinch possible arguments between the merchants of the both Supreme States and the claims on their duties and so on, are looked upon by Consul or Representative and in the case of their absence to local official. They shall take fair position, supply the payment or demand necessary persons to do that and prevent them from harm and oppression.
The Russian merchants visiting Iran have free movement to other states having friendly relations with Iran. For this purpose Iran has supply those merchants with necessary passport to supply them free travel. The same process is applicable to Iran merchants in Russia and its friends.
If any of Russian citizens visiting Iran died, all his inheritance and other properties are delivered to their family or near relatives. Those relatives have right to sell those properties for their own profit. Despite of belonging to any state all this process is implemented on legal base without concealing and appropriation of those properties, as regulated in Russian Empire and other cultural states.
ARTICLE IX
Russian merchants shall only once pay the custom not more than 0.05% for goods brought to Iran cities or ports. They shall pay the same amount of the custom for goods bought in Iran. They shall not pay any tax, duties or customs under any ground. Iranian merchants shall also only once pay the same amount of customs for goods brought to Russian cities and ports.
ARTICLE X
The merchants of the both States (the parties of the treaty) are free at shores, ports or in the bordering cities to sell their goods and buy or exchange with other goods without permission from custom office they are subordinated to or obligators. This aims at free commercial circulation and at legal duties voluntarily and constantly to be taken from the seller and the purchaser for state treasury.
ARTICLE XI
After this treaty signed, the representatives of the both Supreme States shall mutually and quickly inform the necessary information and order to cease the military operation everywhere.
Composed of two copies (with its translation to Persian), signed by the abovementioned Representatives of the Supreme parties, ratifies with their seal and mutually exchanged this eternal Peace treaty shall be re-established and solemnly Ratified by the hands of his MAJESTY the EMPIROR of All Russia and his MAJESTY king of Iran.
The ratified copies of the Treaty shall be mutually delivered from the Supreme Palaces to the abovementioned Representatives after three months.
The Treaty was concluded on the 2nd of October eighteen thirteen, by Iran calendar on the 29th of Shavval in twelve twenty-eight at Russian armed camp in the village of Gulustan near the river Zeyva of Karabakh.
Turkmanchay Treaty
ARTICLE I
His Majesty the Russian Emperor and His Majesty the King of Iran have agreed to eternal peace, friendship and full agreement between them, their heirs to the throne, their states and citizens.
ARTICLE II
His Majesty the Russian Emperor and his Majesty the King of Iran accept mutual commitments which were already completed under the Gulustan treaty, concerning the war which took place and finished successfully among the supreme parties. They consider it necessary to alter the Gulustan treaty with the following terms and provisions to provide peace and friendship between Russia and Azerbaijan in the near and far future.
ARTICLE III
On behalf of his name and his heirs, the King of Iran compromises Erivan and Nakhcivan khanates located on both sides of the Araz to the full subordination of Russia. The King also will undertake within 6 months after the date of the treaty, to supply Russian authorities with all archives and social documents regarding the ruling of the abovementioned khanates.
ARTICLE IV
The parties determined the borderline as follows:
The closest straight line aside from the peak of Ararat located at the edge of Turkish lands- the peaks of those mountains- down to the upper part of Ashagi Garasu at the southern part of Ararat- along the stream of the river to the joint of the river with Araz near Sharur- along the bed of Araz up to the tower of Abbasgala -3 Russian half-verst (one verst = 3,500 feet) width circle in all directions around the fortification of the tower on the right bank of Araz (the named area will be the territory of Russia and its exact square shall be determined within two months from today)- part of the circle joining the eastern bank of Araz- along the bed of the river of the Yeddibulag dock (21 versts along the bed of Araz shall be the territory of Iran)- Mugan lowland- Bolgarchay- lands at 21 versts down the joint of the rivers Adinabazar and Sarigamish- up along the left bank of Bolgarchay up to the cross of Adinabazar and Sarigamish-up along the right bank of the East Adinabazar- up to the top of the Cikoir highland (all of the rivers that are there flowing into the Caspian Sea belong to Russia, waters flowing in the direction of Iran belong to it). Here the borderline between the two states is determined by the peaks of the mountains. The descending of the mountains towards the Caspian Sea belongs to Russia, the remaining descendent mountains belong to Iran. From the peak of Cikoir along the mountains separating the Talish from the Arsh region, the borderline stretches up to the peak of Gamarkuhum. The top of the mountains separating the flow into two, continues along the line of the boundary as the territory between the upper flow of Adinabazar and the peak Cikoir described above. Keeping to the above-described rules about the flow of the rivers, from the peak of Qamarkuhum and along the mountain chain separating Zuvand and Arsh, the borderline stretches to the borders of the Velgic region. Except the part of the abovementioned mountain opposite its peak, the region of Zuvand is joined to Russia. Again keeping to the above-described rules about the flow of the rivers, the borderline continues as follows: from the border of the Velgic region to the north source of the river Astara along the peak of Kloputanin and the chief chain of the mountains at the Velgic region along the bed of the river till it flows into the Caspian Sea.
ARTICLE V
By this article, his Majesty King of Iran expresses his sincere friendship to his Majesty the Emperor of Russia, and on behalf of his heirs and the heirs of Iran thrown, he solemnly recognizes that all the lands and the islands located between the above-mentioned borderlines and between the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea including all migrants and other people living on those territories to be the eternal property of the Russian Empire.
ARTICLE VI
In defense of damages, victims and losses experienced by Russia during the war between these two states, the majesty of the King of Iran assumes to indemnify the above-mentioned, with a monetary amount. Both supreme parties of the treaty agree to the amount of ten kurur tumen raije or 20 million silver coins. The time, the method of payment and guarantee are determined in a special contract that legitimately attached to this treaty.
ARTICLE VII
As soon as the Majesty King of Iran bestows his son -his Majesty Prince Abbas Mirza with the declaration that he is the the heir of Iran, to prove his friendship and to help with the confirmation of heritage rule, the Majesty of the Emperor of Russia assumes to recognize the heir of Iran as the person of Abbas Mirza and after his taking the thrown, to fully recognize him as the legal ruler of that state.
ARTICLE VIII
Russian trade ships still preserve the right to freely sail in the Caspian Sea and along its shores, as well as to approach them. In the case of a shipwreck Iran shall render assistance to them. The trade ships of Iran also have the right to sail in the Caspian sea and to approach the shores of Russia and in case of a shipwreck Russia shall render any and all necessary assistance to Iran. As to public vessels, as stated before, they have the right to sail only under Russia's flag. They preserve the former exceptional right and no other country may have public vessels in the Caspian but Russia.
ARTICLE IX
With great wishes to retain the re-established peace and friendship, the majesty of the Emperor of Russia and the majesty of the King of Iran, mutually agree to accept the ambassadors of the supreme palaces (governments), ministers and other authorized individuals sent for the implication of temporal missions or for permanent settlement, respectfully and separately as their rank, the honor of the agreed supreme parties, friendship relating them and local traditions deserve. The necessary measurement shall be determined by a special protocol.
ARTICLE X
The majesty of the Emperor of Russia considering the re-establishment and extension of trade between the two states to be the result of the chief favorable result of peace. They mutually agree to implement all of the orders related with the control of trade and the security of the citizens and to present all of the above-mentioned in the form of an Act having the same power of the treaty signed by the representatives and attached to it. The majesty of the King of Iran gives the right to Russia to appoint consuls and trade agents to anywhere that is favorable for trade. He also assumes to protect the consuls and agents each in the suite of 10 persons so that they could use their fame and priorities. The majesty of the Emperor of Russia in turn gives his promise to show the same attitude to consuls or agents of the majesty of the King of Iran. If the government of Iran has serious complaints with Russian consuls or agents, the minister (the ambassador) of Russia or his authorized assistant near the palace of the king, or their direct official on their own decision may dismiss the initiator or temporally replace him by another one.
ARTICLE XI
Mutually, all of the requirements of the citizens and other affairs broken by the war shall fairly be restored and settled after the conclusion of the treatment. Mutually, obligations of the citizens to this or the government by the contract shall be immediately and completely supplied.
ARTICLE XII
For the benefit of their citizens the supreme parties mutually agree: those having unmovable property on both sides of Araz shall be given three years for its sale or change. The Majesty of the Emperor of Russia gives the exception to Huseyn khan -former chief of Iravan khanate, his brother Hasan khan and Kerim khan-former ruler of Nakhchivan.
ARTICLE XIII
Military hostages taken during the former and the later wars and the civil hostages that were taken at any time shall be mutually released within four months. They shall be supplied with food and other needs and sent to Abbasabad - the point of delivery to commissars appointed by both states for receiving and sending of them to the next place of residence. The agreed supreme parties shall apply the same attitude toward all military hostages and civil hostages of Russia and Iran, the delivery of which is impossible during the mentioned period of time as a result of the great distances or other causes. Each of the states has unlimited right to demand the above-mentioned any time and assumes to deliver them in the case of their revealing or demanding them.
ARTICLE XIV
None of the agreed supreme parties shall require the delivery of deserters or traitors passed to the opposite site before and during the later war. To prevent negative outcomes from ill-intentioned relations between those refugees and their countrymen or those under its leadership, the government of Iran obliges now and in the future to prohibit the settlement of the people listed by the Russian government in its territories between the rivers Araz and Chara, the Lake Urmiya, and the outfall of the rivers Jakatu and Gizil Uzen. The Majesty of the Emperor of Russia promises to prevent the settlement of Iranian refugees in the territories of Karabakh and Nakhchivan khanates, as well as in the part of Iravan khanate on the right bank of the Araz. But it is evident that this term is also applicable to those with an official rank or of any dignity: khan, bey, religious superiors or mullahs, which may have negative influence over former countrymen or their subordinates with a personal example, advice and secret relations. As to the population of both states, the agreed supreme parties decided that the citizens of both countries that have transferred or will transfer from one territory into another, may settle anywhere with the permission of the government.
ARTICLE XV
With the favorable and lasting wish to re-gain stability for his country and to keep his citizens away from all that may increase harm that was done in the war concluding with peace by this treaty His majesty King forgives all of the population and officials of the Azerbaijan province. Despite the rank, none of them to be prosecuted for their behavior during war or the temporal occupation of the mentioned territory and shall not be insulted for religious faith. A year's time to be assigned from this day to those officials and citizens that must move from Iran to Russia with their families, to carry their movable property without any prevention of the government and the supremacy without any tax on their property or things for sale. As to unmovable property a five-year timeframe is assigned for the sale or for its self-disposal. This permission is not to be applied to those who committed a crime during the above-mentioned one-year period.
ARTICLE XVI
From the point of which the peace treaty is signed the Representatives shall send everywhere all information about the cessation of the war and all of the necessary decrees. This treaty shall be composed in the form of two copies, signed by the representatives of both parties, affirmed with their official stamp, exchanged, confirmed and ratified by the majesty of the Emperor of Russia and the majesty of the King of Iran. The signed ratified texts shall be exchanged by the representatives of both parties within four months or earlier. The treaty was concluded on the 10th of February in the year of 1828 A.D in Turkmenchay village.
Kars Treaty
Treaty of Friendship between Turkey, the Azerbaijan Socialist Soviet Republic, the Socialist Soviet Republic of Armenia and the Socialist Soviet Republic of Georgia on one hand and Turkey on the other, concluded with the participation of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, in Kars on October 13th 1921
The Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, on the one side, and the Governments of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Armenia (SSRA), the Azerbaijan Socialist Soviet Republic (ASSR), and the Socialist Soviet Republic of Georgia (SSRG), on the other side, Agreeing on the principle of the fraternity of the nations and on the right of the peoples to dispose freely of their destiny; desirous to establish cordial affinity and sincerely amicable relations between them, based upon reciprocal interest; Have decided to enter into negotiations, with the participation of the Government of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (RSFSR), to conclude a Treaty of Friendship and for this purpose have appointed as their plenipotentiaries.
The Government of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Armenia: Askanaz Mravian, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs; Poghos Makintsian, People's Commissar for Internal Affairs
The Government of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan: Behboud Shahtahtinskiy, People's Commissar for State Control
The Government of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Georgia: Shalva Eliava, People's Commissar for War and Navy; Alexander Svanidze, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs and People's Commissar for Finance.
The Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey: Kiazim Kara Bekir Pasha, Deputy to the Grand National Assembly from Adrianople and Commander of the Eastern Front; Veli Bey, Deputy to the Grand National Assembly from Bordour; Mouhtar Bey, former Undersecretary of State for Public Works; Memdouh Shevket Bey, Turkish Plenipoteniary Representative in Azerbaijan.The Government of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic: Jacques Hanetzky, Plenipotentiary Representative in Lithuania, who, having communicated their powers that have been found to be in due form, have agreed as follows
Article 1
The Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the Governments of the Socialist Soviet Republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia consider as null and void the treaties concluded between the Governments which have previously exercised sovereign rights over territory actually forming part of the territory of the Contracting Parties and concerning the above-mentioned territories, as well as the treaties concluded with third states concerning the Transcaucaucasus Republics.
It is understood that the Turkish-Russian Treaty signed in Moscow on March 16, 1921 (1337) will be exempted from the terms of this Article.
Article 2
The Contracting Parties agree not to recognize any treaty of peace or other international act imposed upon one any of them against its will. In virtue of this agreement, the Governments of the Socialist Soviet Republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia agree not to recognize any international act concerning Turkey which has not been recognized by the National Government of Turkey, actually represented by its Grand National Assembly.
(By the term Turkey is meant, in the present Treaty, the territories included in the Turkish National Pact of January 28, 1920 (1336), developed and proclaimed by the Ottoman Chamber of Deputies in Constantinople and communicated to the press and to all States).
For its part, the Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey agrees not to recognize any international act concerning Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia that may not be by the respective Governments of these countries, actually represented by the Soviets of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Article 3
The Governments of the Socialist Soviet Republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, recognizing that the system of capitulations is incompatible with the free life of the national development of all countries, as well as with the full exercise of sovereign rights, consider as null and abrogate the exercise, in Turkey, of all offices and rights included in this system.
Article 4
The northeast border of Turkey (according to the map of the Russian General Staff, on a scale of 1:210000.5 verstes to the inch) is determined by the line which, beginnin at the village of Sarp on the Black Sea, passes by the Mt. Khedis Mga, the watershed line of at Mt. Shavshet- Mount Kana Dagh; from there, it always follows the former northern administrative borders of the sanjaks of Ardahan and Kars, the thalweg of the Arpachai River and that of the Arax as far as the mouth of the Nijni Kara Su river. (For details of the border and questions pertaining to it, see Annexes I and II and the map inclosed, signed by the two Contracting Parties. In the event of discrepancies between the text of the Treaty and the Map, the text of the treaty shall prevail over the map).
A mixed commission of delimitation, comprised of equal number of members, with the participation of a representative of the RSFSR, is directed to determine in detail and to establish the actual border of the state, and to erecte boundary markers.
Article 5
The Turkish Government and the Soviet Governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan are agreed that the region of Nakhichevan, within the limits specified by Annex III to the present Treaty, constitutes an autonomous territory under the protection of Azerbaijan.
Article 6
Turkey agrees to cede to Georgia suzerainty over the town and port of Batum, with the territory to the north of the frontier, indicated in Article IV of the present Treaty, which formed part of the district of Batum, on condition: 1) That the population of the localities specified in the present Article shall enjoy a greater measure of local administrative autonomy, that each community is guaranteed its cultural and religious rights, and that this population may introduce in the above-mentioned places an agrarian system in conformity with its own wishes; 2) That Turkey be assured free transit through the port of Batum for commodities and all materials destined for, or originating in, Turkey, without customs duties and charges, and with the right for Turkey to utilize the port of Batum without special charges. For the application of this Article, a commission of representatives of the interested Parties shall be created immediately after the signing of the present Treaty.
Article 7
The Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the Government of SSRG agree to facilitate the crossing of the border by the inhabitants of the bordering zones, on condition of the observance of the customs, police, and sanitary regulations which shall be established in this regard by a mixed commission.
Article 8
The Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and and the Government of SSRG consider that it is necessary for the inhabitants of the bordering districts of two countries to make use of summer and winter pastures on the other side of the border, and agree to accord to these inhabitants the right to cross the border with their animals and to avail themselves of the customary pasturage.
Customs formalities, and police, sanitary, and other measures applying to border crossings shall be determined by a mixed commission.
Article 9
With the view to assuring the opening and free passage through the Straits for the commerce of all peoples, Turkey and Georgia agree to submit the definitive elaboration of the international regulations for the Black Sea and the Straits to a subsequent conference composed of delegates from the littoral states, unless the decisions there reached encroach upon the sovereignty and security of Turkey and of Constantinople, its capital.
Article 10
The Contracting Parties agree not to admit upon their territories the formation or sojourn of organizations or groups pretending to assume the role of government of the other country or a part of its territory, nor the sojourn of groups having for their purpose war against the other country.
It is clearly understood that the Turkish territory mentioned above in the present Article is the territory under the direct civil and military administration of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Article 11
Nationals of each of the two Contracting Parties, residing in the territory of the other Party, shall be treated in accordance with the duties and obligations decreed by the laws of the country in which they reside, with the exception of those concerning the national defense, from which they shall be exempt.
Questions of family right, inheritance, and legal capacity are also excepted in the present Article, and shall be settled by a special agreement.
Article 12
The Contracting Parties will apply the most favored nation rule to nationals of one of the Contracting Parties residing in the territory of the other.
This Article does not affect the rights accorded reciprocally by the Soviet Republics to citizens of allied Soviet Republics on their territory, as well as to the rights accorded by Turkey to nationals of the Moslem states allied with Turkey.
Article 13
All inhabitants of territory that was part of Russia before 1918, and over which the sovereignty of Turkey is affirmed, shall have the opportunity, if they desire to relinquish their Turkish nationality, to leave Turkey freely, taking with them their possessions and goods, or the proceeds of their sale.
Likewise, all inhabitants of territory whose sovereignty has been ceded to Georgia by Turkey shall have the opportunity, if they desire to relinquish Georgian nationality, to leave the territory of Georgia freely, taking with them their possessions, goods, and capital.
The inhabitants mentioned in the above sentences shall be granted a deferment of one month from military service, beginning on the date on which they shall have signified in due form their intention of leaving the territories in question.
Article 14
The Contracting Parties agree to conclude, within the period of six month from the signature of the present Treaty, special arrangements with regard to the refugees of the wars of 1918 and 1920.
Article 15
Each of the Contracting Parties agrees to promulgate, immediately after the signature of the present Treaty, a complete amnesty to citizens of the other Party for crimes and offenses committed during the course of the war on the Caucasian front.
Article 16
The Contracting Parties agree to effect reciprocally, within the period of two months after the signature of the present Treaty, the repatriation of former military and civilian prisoners residing in the territory of one of the Contracting Parties.
Article 17
In order to ensure the continuance of relations between their countries, the Contracting Parties agree to take, in a common agreement, all the measures necessary to maintain and develop as quickly as possible railway, telegraphic, and other communications, as well as to assure free transit of persons and commodities without any hindrance.
It is understood, however, that the entry and departure of travelers and commodities will be governed by the full application of all the regulations established in this regard by each of the Contracting Parties.
Article 18
With a view to organizing commercial relations and regulating economic, financial, and other questions necessary to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries, a commission of representatives from the interested countries shall convene at Tiflis immediately after the signature of the present Treaty.
Article 19
The Contracting Parties agree to conclude consular conventions within the period of three months from the signature of the present Treaty.
Article 20
The present Treaty, concluded between the Governments of Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, shall be subject to ratification.
The exchange of ratifications shall take place at Yerevan within the shortest possible time.
The present Treaty shall enter into force immediately after the exchange of the acts of ratification, exception being made to Articles VI, XIV, XVI, XVIII, and XIX, which enter into force immediately after the signature of the Treaty.
In witness thereof, the present treaty was signed and sealed by the plenipotentiaries.
ANNEX I
The northeast border of Turkey is fixed as follows (according to the map of the Russian General Staff, on a scale of 1:210,000.5 verstes to the inch):
The village of Sarp on the Black Sea, Mt. Kara-Shalvar (5014), crosses Chorokh to the north from the village of Maradidi, passes to the north of Sabur, Mt. Khedis Mga (7052), Mt. Kva-Kibe, village of Kavtareli, line of watershed Medzibna Mountain and Mt. Great-Kessun (6468), follows the line of the watershed Mt. Korda (7910), goes along the western part of the ridge Shavshet to the administrative border of the former Artvin district, goes to the Mt. Sari Chai (Kara-Issal) (8478), summit of the mountain Kviral, then follows the administrative border of the former Ardahan district by Mt. Kana-Dagh, thence, turning to the north, goes to Mt. Tlil (Grmani) (8357), and following the former border of Ardahan, goes to the northeast of the village of Badela, to the river Poskov-Chai, and follows to the south aling this river to a point to the north of the village of Chap Chakh, then it leaves the river, follows the watershed to Mt. Airlian-Bashi, goes over the Mts. Kella-Tana (9709), reaches Mt. Kasris-Seri (9681), and follows along the river Karzamet Chai until it reaches the river Kura, thence it goes along the line of the watershed of Mt. Kara-Ogli (7259), whence, dividing in two parts Lake Khazapin, it goes to the elevation 7580, then to Mt. Geg-Dagh (9152), goes over Mt. Uch-Tapoylar (9783), and Mt. Taila-Kala (9716), ridge 9065, where it leaves the border of the former Ardahan district and passes over the Mts. B. Akh Barba (9963), 8828 (8827), 7602, goes to the east of the village of Ibish, reaches elevation 7518, and then Mt. Kizil Dash (7439) (7440), village of New Kizil-Dash (Kizel-Dash), passes to the west from the Karamemeda, goes to the river Jambushu Chai (which is to the east of the village of Delaver, B. Kikli, and Tikhnis), and through the village of Vartanli and Bashi-Shuragel; following the above-named river, it goes to the river Arpa Chai to the north of Kayalala, from there follows all the time the thalweg of the river Arpa Chai and arrives at the river Araxes, following its thalweg to the mouth of the river Lower Kara Su.
ANNEX II
Taking into consideration that the border line, as it is shown in Annex I, is the thalwegs of the rivers Arpa Chai and Araxes, the Government of the Grand National Assembly undertakes to remove the line of block-houses to the distance of 8 versts from the Alexandropol-Yerevan railway line in the district of the Arpa Chai river, and to the distance of 4 versts from the above-named railway in the district of the river Araxes. The lines which enclose the above-named districts are shown below: the district of the river Arpa Chai at sections (a) and (b) of Paragraph 1, and the district of the river Araxes in Paragraph 2.
1: District of the river Arpa Chai
(a) To the southeast from Vartanli, to the east from Uzun-Kilisa over Mt. Bozyar (5096), 5082-5047, to the east from Karmir-Vaik-Uch-Tapa (5578), to the east from Arzaz Oghlu, to the east from Ani, reaches Arpa Chai to the west from Yeni-Ki.
(b) Leaves Arpa Chai to the east from elevation 5019, goes straight to elevation 5481, at the distance of 4.5 versts, to the east from Kizil Kula at 2 versts, to the east from Bojali, and then the river Digor Chai, follows along this river to the village of Duz-Kechut, and goes straight to the north from the ruins of Karabat and to Arpa Chai.
2. District of the river Araxes
A straight line between Kharaba Alijan and the village of Suleiman (Diza).
In the districts bordered on one side by the line of the Alexandropol-Yerevan railway and on the other by the lines which are 8 and 4 versts from the above-named railway, the Government of the Grand National Assembly undertakes not to build any fortification and not to keep the regular army except the number which is essentially necessary for the maintenance of order and security. Those lines are not in the above-named districts.
ANNEX III
Territory of Nakhichevan
Village of Ourmia, from there by a straight line to the Azerdaian station (leaving it to SSRA), then by a straight line to Ms. Dash-Burun west (3142), watershed of Mt. Dash-Burun east (4108), crosses the river Kyahaanam-Darassi to the south of the inscription "Rodne" (Boulakh) (South), following the watershed of Mt. Bgarsik (6607) or (6587), and from there follows the administrative border of the former districts of Erivan and of Sharur, Daralagyaz, by the elevation 6629 to the mountain Kemurlu Dagh (6839) or (6930), and from there to the elevation 3080, Sayat Dagh (7868), village Kurt Kulag (Kyurt Kulak), Mt. Gamessur Dagh (8160), elevation 8022, Kuri Dagh (10,181), and the eastern administrative border of the former district of Nakhichevan.
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