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6/1/1992 - Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Azerbaijan: Part One - Slithering in the by Thomas Goltz

Part One NO FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUTWRITER SCONSENT INSTITUTE OFCURRENTWORLDAFFAIRS Peter Bird Mart ICWA Crane Rogers West Wheelock Street Hanover N H 03755 Dear Peter Last September I letter stories never light there complaints friends project definition interesting yesterday papers grade Well I again specific purpose providing material historical record about political social roller coaster Azerbaijan Spring My rational putting together piece frustration gratification interest maintaining diary events future noting beginning resignation former president Ayaz Mutalibov March ending election Abulfez Eichibey June You familiar these seminal vents contemporary history Azerbaijan international coverage provided service agencies radio least recent ICWA newsletters Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Azerbaijan Part One detailed roller coaster Mural resignation An Interview With Azerbaijan President Abulfez Elchibey attempted capture thoughts president apparent immediately after elections June But I betwixt between And rather narrative I again chosen vehicle stringing together series press reports It almost incidental unpublished They history A ittie background personal professional might order Thomas Goltz ICWA fel1ow researching Turkit speaking emphasis Azerbaijan republics former USSR Since Institute Current World Affair Crane Rogers Foundation provided fellowships enable outstandingyoungadultstolive outsidetheUnitedStatesandwriteaboutinternationalareasandissues Endowed bythelateCharlesR Crane theItituteisalsosupportedbycontributionsfromlike mindedindividualsand foundations In Xojali I Massacre February I informed Washington Post I would filing anymore contacted New York Times about stringing instead The Times interested I began series files Honestly though I paper little I believe Often stories I wrote could filed because communications other times files collected because sometimes I I filing possible wanted someone there reference point questioning conventional wisdom I wrote filed tried knowing usually going But almost matter indifference because intent became political diary writing I continued because important Azerbaijan history other journalists writing about events getting hopelessly distorted wrong I decided I create counter balance future historians So please reading criticizing these dispatches think I whining about stories never printed rather I trying produce document dispatches I almost arbitrarily Washington Post concerning resignation Azerbaijan President Ayaz Mutalibov March Friday The story never print because after theatrics involved resigning telephone I unable story through When I updated Sunday Post rather stiffly surprisingly informed wires interested story Thus following filed least written N Y_o_r There couple files designed London Sunday__T_i_m_e Hamburg Stern South North News Service I dusted typos inconsistent spelling names content Here Thomas Goltz Salisbury Connecticu June I Tle Latin based spelling I write Hodjali ntinue write Kl odjaly There poetic Ls whimper Liang tlings considered There Lssues dissatisfaction foreign Pc based I filing spiked Lsted Mc rrtls later I clips obliged retract Lc mutter Sc David Ignatius paper front March As communist government Azerbaijan crumbles Popular Front emerges leading institution Thomas Goltz Baku In resignation President Ayaz Mutalibov Popular Front Azerbaijan emerged player internal external politics former Soviet RepubI In addition calling direct talks Armenia disputed territory Nagorno Karabakh leadership broad based opposition organization putting together officials Mutalibov regime excluded future office civil responsibility They Popular Front spokesman Niyazi Ibrahim The former communist elite people current predicament deserving public Many outright traitors Mutalibov Azerbaijan Communist Party chief years before party dissolved September resigned Friday massive protest organized Front Xojali Massacre February upwards Azeri Turks small Azeri enclave inside Armenian enclave Nagorno Karabakh killed allegedly Armenian militants backed elements former Soviet Ministry Interior MVD In addition being accused criminal negligence allowing rescuing victims while there still government accused initially lying about extent tragedy willfully abusing memory those killed promoting massacre regain public support The result total collapse trust government facto transfer power presidential palace parliament offices Front As reflection change Mr Abulfez Elchibey chairman Front address country national television first Sunday night following forced resignation programming involvement suppression As concession government opposition earlier Elchibey previously shown television never heard identified With exception interviews small opposition press neither views expressed state controlled print media On Sunday night advance notice programming evening Elchibey delivered detailed minute critique present politics Azerbaijan leaving stone turned While announcing Popular Front would transitional government being formed replace Mutalibov cabinet encouraged individual members Front participate government insure parliamentary elections Azerbaijan within months He demanded Mutalibov immunity prosecution lifted former president trial crimes against nation Elchibey suggested those years currently holding position government should sacked because worked within former communist system stalled conversion Azeri Turkish Cyrillic script Latin immediately He repeated points interview correspondent earlier namely cause tension between Armenia Azerbaijan Karabakh between countries Moscow which continues manipulate smaller nations former Soviet Union break It Russian imperialism responsible Xojali massacre Even Armenians understand killers Russians We wrote about Russians attack Armenian village blame Azerbaijan attack Azeri village blame Armenians The people destroyed Xojali members Moscow 366th Brigade stationed Stepanakert As Elchibey attempted exculpate Armenia responsibility massacre sense Yerevan allowing itself Moscow stabilize Caucasus He called immediate cease withdrawal Armenian units Karabakh establishment He mediation outside powers stressed essential peace between Armenia Azerbaijan A dialogue begun between Baku Yerevan But serves getting dialogue started I would suggest including Turkey Ukraine mediators The Ukraine country powerful country understands nature Soviet System ultimately responsible business It understands Russia Elchibey noted including Ukraine negotiations process would useful because perceived Christian country There those tension between Armenia Azerbaijan Muslim Christian conflict It satisfy those concerns Ukraine Christian mediator Turkey Muslim mediator Elchibey categorically excluded Russia Iran potential mediators between Armenia Azerbaijan They changed Russians It everywhere smaller people Russian empire become In Georgia first Osetians Abkhazians against Georgians Georgians fight among themselves The thing happening Daghistan Tataristan Baskurdistan Azerbaijan The Azeris fighting Armenians Azeris fighting other This nearly Friday loyalists former President Mutalibov tried position calling Soviet disperse crowd AI I rec_li republ Federat demonstrators demanding removal claiming demonstrators armed about attack building In number women organization associated Popular Front smashed several large windows parliament Thursday after makers inside continued dawdle measures needed taken Xojal massacre Unopposed encouraged outside entered chamber itself heckle assembly Then apparently Presidential spokesman Rasim Agaev leader quasi opposition Social Democratic Party Mr Zardush Alizade signed order chairman parliament calling detachment former Soviet Army still stationed Baku surround parliamentary building defend Iaw makers The chairman parliament Dr Yagub Mahmedov power little hours threatened resign learning invitation The order recalled after nationally famous veteran threatened defend honor parliament personally fight foreign troops He threatened Baku second Tiblisi armed elements associated Popular Front Facing potential bloodbath Mutal resigned shortly afterward asking forgiveness nation promising remove himself politics forever He conferred rouble monthly stipend country vacation house security detachment service nation Diplomatic sources parliament resignati sticking issue issue immunity prosecution crimes against state As state notorious corruption highest levels Mutalibov believed substantial amount money salted variety accounts taken advantage privatization Azerbaijan designed property ownership state transfer individuals But demise Mutalibov plethora questions floating about further heads extent Front future country The Front accepted Prime Minister Hasan Hasanov allowed transitional government But Front demanded legislative power should divested parliament which remains dominated Mutalibov loyalists returned person parliamentary evenly divided between members Democratic Block C ommunist Party known Milli Shura National Council The Front required constitutional experts quickly legal country passed National Council preparation general local elections within months According constitution Azerbaijan chairman parliament president country three months absence elected state In present political atmosphere however administrative power devolved Slusla Defese Minister Rahim Gaziev current Prime Minister Hasanov former communist functionary dressed nationalist attire Hasanov established Mutalibov credentials calling entire government presumably himself included resign Karabakh debacle I Prime Minister other ministries responsible governmen newspaper Azadlik remarkably frank serving interview Karabakh The point however future presidency which Front wants abolished because lends itself establishment dictatorship Mutalibov Azerbaijan Communist Party national leader claimed democratically elected September percent popular elections boycotted Popular Front almost universally criticized having fraudulent In addition tenuous claim legitimacy Mutalibov constantly jokes referring being Mrs Ayaz slavishly loyal position Moscow propensity prioritize meetings visiting executives pressing political concerns puffy Ladies Associated With Popular Front Parliament Stake Out Creeping Coup Baku Leaders Popular Front Azerbaijan announ Wednesday intention joining Commonwealth Independent States observers meeting former Soviet Republics Belorus Mensk March discuss Azerbaijan empire Mutalibov legal authority Commonwealth Treaty first place ratified parliament Isa Gamberov Popular Front member opposition Democratic Bloc parliament It reasons obliged resign Speaking journalists hastily called press conference Front Baku headquarters Gamberov deputy Front chairman Arif Hadjiev accused former president treason demanded immunity prosecution given lifted former president could prosecuted weight The decent Mutalibov resign Hadjiev But against nation proper investigation carried maximum senterice imposed In addition charging Mutalibov criminal negligence handling Karabakh crisis Front accuses former president embezzlement misuse office assisting organization January crack commudist government invited Soviet interior Baku Armenian rioting More Azeris killed subsequent violence The Front leaders organization would participate coalition government being formed Prime Minister Hasan Hasanov condition presidential apparatus abolished legislative power turned Milli Shur National Council person equally divided between members parliamentary opposition former communist party legislators Gamberov merely smiled asked about political future current acting president Dr Yagub Mahmedov known Baku Dollar Yagub because tendency lower entrance standards medical faculty Baku University Gamberov clear Front intends conduct general political house cleaning which members Front Democratic Block would spared Mutalibov current government cloth Gamberov We haven managed overthrow communist mafia In short likely things worse before better elite tries cling power But those responsible current crisis Azerbaijan cannot allowed again The picture creeping taken Popular Front Chairman Abulfez Elchibey recently demanded nepotism government offices suggested anyone years currently working bureaucracy removed their positions because those older tainted system Eichibey Azerbaijan leading dissident during 1970s spent years labor after being convicted Soviet activity remains heart brain behind Front despite failing health The pivotal figure governmental current crisis Prime Minister Hasan Hasanov former communist functionary actively courting Popular Front support embracing positions Hasanov meeting Elchibey described extremely important personality Azerbaijan Tl eiter seric talks Abulfez tlirc source presidetial apparatus Vafa G ulizade house declare Mutal esiged There Azerbaijan Abulfez Elchibey Two later passed grape F M lasac souglt terview Elchibey That evening tlere press ference between Hasanov B irish Deputy M ister F reigi Af fairs Douglas allegedly concerniig establ ishment umatic reiat J about creatir venue graidstand arabai rtheup IgBriti Is Nc treally iFtei ested I popped following question Hasanov Sir Abul Elclibey discuss verimeit situatic country We about bilateral U lited Ki caffair hesnapped andcontinuedfieldinother questic But lasanc achieved present status power _ture knowing dodge knows during blather about bilateral Ine thinl everyoe picking seized microl Just I answer questic about meeting Abul Elcliibey Silence aside Dr delegation ilJea lasaov about tlius mutteriig tliemselves We liave zonsultiig icerr iarties itical situati liave eitered discussiol Abulfez El _hibey regard important respected member Azeri society Hasanov I pursue Ytacts Abulfez because I greatly respect iJerso views Tl negotiatios conti Goodnight The verment Abul Details began emerge after signed between Abulfez Hasanov Mai imedov The Ced members enteriig alition governmet latio unity Hasanov inted tliree Fi irispii deputies ministerial posts Defeise Interior Print Press cabinet place approved Of great significance appointment Minister Hasanov publicly embraced Front position Nagorno Karabakh which spilled territory mainland Azerbaijan No consultations Armenia begin until Armenian state terrorist withdraws square kilometers Azerbaijan occupied Hasanov declared during course joint press conference visiting Deputy British Foreign Minister Douglas Hogg Hasanov echoed Front position Armenian citizens Nagorno Karabakh might enjoy cultural local autonomy other minorities other countries ranging South Tyrol Italy Quebec Canada West understand difference between autonomy independence Hogg thanked robust support concept autonomy Meanwhile Armenian units presumably supplied depots behind departing 366th Brigade Ministry Interior Army stationed Nagorno Karabakh capital Stepanakert mounted serious attacks Agdam Azeri situated plain eastern border problematic territory The situation remains obscure journalists hiding Agdam cellars shelling number Armenian tanks punched through cemetery outside Agdam shooting A missile barrage morning least houses destroyed Defer Jse thart tivea ionedRahimGaziev Wit pistol parliament before Mahmedov meanwhile apacity president chairman parliament called nvene emergency session Officially deputies return seats discusssucll arabakh related issuesas tledefenseof remainingAzerisettIements tIearea howtc deaIwiththe swarm refugees Baku criteri0n becoming Hero Karabakh Everyone purpose wever legislative latioal C Jun dissolve suspend presidecy Iran Brokers New Cease Fire Baku Informed Sources Baku confirm Azerbaijan Armenia effort brake escalating violence between former Soviet Republics disputed territory Nagorno Karabakh signed temporary cease agreement Iranian capital Tehran The cease agreement signed Sunday effect March cludes provisions exchange prisoners hostages bodies It brokered Iranian Foreign Minister All Akbar Velayati whose initiative fighting Karabakh February agreed principle Armenia Azerbaijan totally ignored Armenian militiamen Nagorno Karabakh preparing launch major attack Azeri Xojali The attack resulted massacre hundreds Azeri civi1 Observers Baku question whether initiative successful whether several other initiatives fighting ground remain outside control political leadership Previous cease fires honored breach usually specific points contact between Azeris Armenians means collecting exchange motor ammunition Fighting Lachin corri separates Nagorno Karabakh Armenia continued night Armenian forces attempted access Shusha Azeri Nagorno Karabakh Other reports forces Armenia taken border village Khairli northwestern Azerbaijan miles Nagorno Karabakh itself The Iranian initiative following cease President George Bush behest Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel recent mediation effort troubled territory where Azeris Armenians killed since Previously Nagorno Karabakh enjoyed status being autonomous territory inside Azerbaijan until majority Armenians announced their independence presumably first toward unity itself Armenia Last December Azerbaijan announced dissolving special autonomy status Nagorno Karabakh territory would become larger A province Karabakh apparent violation CSCE norms member states respecting external internal borders matter taken United Nations special envoy Cyrus Vance during imminent visit region I Cyrus Vance Post Outside Agdam Within minutes departure Iranian peace mediators Nagorno Karabakh Friday night shooting started between Azeri Armenia militiamen along defined separates resulting death least Azeri The Iranians members delegation Tehran Baku Armenian capital Yerevan stayed behind Stepanakert several hours after departure United Nations envoy Cyrus Vance order insure compliance first planned seven begun Friday In addition creating conditions needed Vance finding troubled territory cease timed corres Persian New Year N_ y_r_u_ We contact sides subscribe cease Iranian envoys after window interview Post We But scant minutes after Iranian mediators passed Post Azeri Turkish control point between Agdam Armenian Askeron small began through night Armenian positions surrounding hills The returned front Azeri militiamen belonging Falcons volunteer group associated structurally separate Azerbaijan national One Falcon killed exchange which continued hours distinction Iranian mediators traveling white Lada sedan designed carry passengers driver former United States Secretary State Vance advantage former Soviet Fourth Army stationed theAzeri Ganje enter Nagorno Karabakh inside BTR standard Armored Personnel Carrier Soviet I everything I could possibly Vance emerged BRT Agdam Friday afternoon describing across lines Stepanakert I thorough briefing The Karabakh Armenians peace others The seven cease brokered Iranians positive forward None other Mr Hakb ICWA readers Tehran during course It nerant Iran A bizarre ipect Vance mission arrival StepaI Armenian militiaman riced Van shoela untied ground The captured played Azeri television mmenta glirtexpect onlywere A menia I icking Vance letting Even unsavory ttitude actic French Minister Humanities Bernard Kouchner Almost infam Turkey emotional connec cause Kurds Vance described Stepanakert being awful state destroyed buildings limited hospital space filed wounded He previously toured morgue hospital Agdam The visits Vance UN finding Iranian cease delegation recent would peace makers solve atavistic hatred mistrust between populations Nagorno Karabakh square mountainous territory inside Azerbaijan populated mainly Armenians At least perhaps twice number people killed inter ethnic violence since majority Armenians announced their intention secede Azerbaijan Armenia Violence reached heights early withdrawal soldiers serving former Soviet Ministry Interior MVD territory Both Azerbaijan Armenia accused MVD passively actively aiding other conflict But sides faced other however Baku Yerevan might might agree given point front controlled increasingly independent groups Falcons their Armenian counterparts Elsewhere Azerbaijan Iranian brokered cease reportedly broken several places outside geographic Nagorno Karabakh At least violation apparently confirmed Azeri doctors Baku helicopter Kazak Azeri Armenian Georgian frontier The doctors being ferried helicopter treat Azeris wounded attack Armenia itself Khairli distri Kazak No death resdlting fighting available I embraced project We first I three symbol Sinusiia Stepanakert ormer gesture latter He But Vai Dal after drive determined There couple Medicines Monde retinue urnalists Frencl papers capturin Minister Humanite during missic Stepanakert As C uttering began streets Agdam ouchner intentioi aiythin Shusl asked I Aze T dupli andstaiIdir Xojali fallen airport there amount could C whatever plane wanted bring But Kouchner deretrained picture syringes French mustard He oughtfully rtable satellite telephc behind The media ntinues figure sometimes death silce My figure least twice Above Launching GRAD Missiles From A Truc Below U N Envoy Cyrus Vance T Goltz Agdam interview FEATURE Flying Falcons Post Outside Agdam As settles Muslim cemetery outside Agdam rattle small occasional canon blast echoes through green olling hills Yagub Mahmedov permits himself smile There never cease there Commander E Agdam Defense Falrons referring truce brokered Iran separate Azeri Armenians fighting disputed territory Nagoro Karabakh It fight death prepared A short thick curly pepper beard Mahmedov staring beyond appears purple demon inside hands throat He sculptor family One recently killed Armenian shelling seems destroyed lingering artistic sensibility Yagub bitter front volunteer fighters leads Not filled hatred Armenian across lines Baku There almost palpable belief equal enemy without enemy within We fronts Yagub during course series interviews unprepossessing buildings house arsenal barracks military organization leads The group which maintains independence national being formed Azerbaijan brunt Armenian defensive during Falcon lance attack fortress Askeron earlier month Mahmedov decided revenge Azeri Xojali Casualty figures range The February Armenian attack Xojali addition resulting Azeri positions within Nagorno Karabakh purported massacre thousand fleeing civilians To bodies washed local Agdam morgue survivors hundreds remain scattered between Post Armenian positions Askeron An additional bodies other Azeri civilians soldiers killed Agdam processed through mosque morgue since January The tactical defeat bitter taste mouths Falcons national militia Popular Front should backed during their assault They insist institutional independence national forces policy fraught future danger When there battle Falcons fight together national times peace remain separate Commander Yagub You decide means In concrete terms means those trying disciplined national Azerbaijan under unitary command going problems comes front warlords relinquish their power central authority which remain instin ctively leery The Falcons other militia groups formed central government doing nothing about Karabakh volunteer physician staff Popular Front forces merging inchoate national Agdam It integrate eventually forms But militia groups fought dragged bodies friends killed combat emotional experience feeling deserted government years confli means The Baku militia groups create Lebanon country lords competing chunks country against other At present Falcons number armed barked three number armored personal carriers apparently purchased departing former Soviet units Uniforms provisions other heavy equipment donate meaning patriots including called Azeri Mafia Other armed groups independent government including reported controlled former Poiitiburo member Haydar Aliev Azeri territory Nakhjivan equally determined their powder loaded until determine their liking whether government Baku suits their interests Despite public calls televisions supported nationalistic songs inchoate national remains tainted association perceived inactivity waffling position government defense Nagorno Karabakh absolute issue hearts minds almost Azeris The result Falcons growing ineffable mystique associated their front status faster national itself After meaty dinner Commander Yagub troops correspondent treated training session operators double barreled heavy caliber aircraft donated Baku merchant Thousands trying Mahmedov But people previous military experience anyone district borders Armenia Karabakh They should forming their militia themselves Two young Kazak province Georgia frontier rejected morning sneering Commander Yagub perhaps dozen Agdam waited interviews outside Falcons HQ ready swear orders least month minimum period service after which Falcons leave In addition local fq_hanistan Falcons attracted curious crowd landers Pan Islamic types Tajikistan Azeri Half Russian workers Baku people would motivation fighting Azeri cause perhaps psycho killers Given salary worth mentioning difficult describe foreign component mercenaries although other quite If I killed Armenians would throw Yuri faced Falcon Ukraine Commander Yagub refers Both native foreign volunteers gearing round rival Armenian Fedayeen reportedly share volunteer attitude Falcons appear equally control Yerevan Falcons their direct control Baku Both capitals cease fires agreements militia agree terms purpose peace fight For their Falcons accept attrition might their descendants Th population Azerbaijan seven million pushing eight Armenians million noted They still number You understand They The militant prospective martyrdom begun infect Azeri women increasingly kitchen forward lines Don suggest I cannot think shouted Nurjahan Husseinova newly recruited comrade Post where during Tashaiti Where during battle Askeron Have corpse before someone yours sights You those returned That means The recruit suggested Muslim woman honor might violated enemy hands mother concern child The years putting mascara inside pouch holds grenades But I Commander Yagub Mahmedov Agdam Defense Falcons