Firudin Ibrahimi's Diplomacy By Dr. Saadat Karimi

It has been spoken much about Firudin Ibrahimi (1918-1947) as the member of the Central Committee of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party, the representative of the Milli Mejlis

It has been spoken much about Firudin Ibrahimi (1918-1947) as the member of the Central

Committee of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party, the representative of the Milli Mejlis

(Parliament) of South Azerbaijan, the Prosecutor of the National Government of Azerbaijan in

1945-1946, and as the prominent statesman, a very talented speaker and publicist. In my

opinion, it is important to explore Firudin Ibrahimichr("39")s diplomacy. I consider that his

diplomatic mission and activity should be studied and properly evaluated.

Firudin Ibrahimi was graduated from the Faculty of Law and was a

member of the Iranian Peoplechr("39")s Party since 1943. He had achieved great results for our

people as a wise diplomat. It is well known that Ibrahimi attended the Peace Conference in

Paris in 1946, where 21 states attended. Ibrahimi participated at this conference, which started

on July 29 and ended on 15 October. I am convinced that it is possible to reveal more

important facts and significant points about the National Government of South Azerbaijan

(1945-1946) and Firudin Ibrahimis activity by studying the documents in the archive of Paris,

Moscow, the USA and other countries where they have been preserved.

As you know, diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations

between representatives of states. It usually refers to international diplomacy, the conduct

of international relations1

through the intercession of professional diplomats with regard to a

full range of topical issues. International treaties are usually negotiated by diplomats prior to

1 Ronald Peter Barston, Modern diplomacy, Pearson Education, 2006, p. 1

endorsement by national politicians. Diplomatic communications are viewed as sacrosanct,

and diplomats have long been allowed to carry documents across borders without being

searched. The mechanism for this is the so-called "diplomatic bag" (or, in some countries, the

"diplomatic pouch"). Diplomatic recognition is an important factor in determining

whether a nation is an independent state. Receiving recognition is often difficult, even for

countries which are fully sovereign. As it is known that for many decades after its becoming

independent, even many of the closest allies of the Dutch Republic refused to grant it full

recognition.

Firudin Ibrahimi went to Europe for the diplomatic mission, taking the strength

from his knowledge, ability and above all, from his love for his country and people. It was not

easy to carry the diplomatic mission because the state he aimed to represent had not been

recognized by the world's states. Like the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the end

of 1918 which went to the Paris Peace Conference under the leadership of Alimardan bey

Topchubashov to promote Azerbaijanchr("39")s independence and territorial integrity. Also at that

time the world's map was redrawing in the result of the First World War and the

confrontation of the nations was resolving. So, the wise founders of the Republic of

Azerbaijan sought to convey the importance of acting in this sensitive era and to get our voice

heard by the worldchr("39")s dominant powers. A few decades later, Firudin Ibrahimi preferred the

importance of seeking support for the independence of South Azerbaijan at the Paris Peace

Conference, which was the result of the Second World War.

However, the way was not open for attending the Paris Peace Conference, and the

Azerbaijani National Government (1945-1946), led by Seyid Jafar Pishavari, was not invited

by the great powers to come and express their points of view. Firudin Ibrahimi was able to

accomplish this by his own efforts, talent, knowledge of his countrychr("39")s history, knowledge of

the nature of imperialism and his ability to convey his ideas. Beside of the mother tongue

Firudin Ibrahimi knew and spoke Azerbaijan Turkish, Persian, French and Arabic perfectly.

Nations sometimes resort to international arbitration when faced with a specific

question or point of contention in need of resolution. For most of history, there were no

official or formal procedures for such proceedings. They were generally accepted to abide by

general principles and protocols related to international law and justice. Sometimes these took

the form of formal arbitrations and mediations. In such cases a commission of diplomats

might be convened to hear all sides of an issue, and to come some sort of ruling based on

international law2

. Firudin Ibrahimi was able to clarify the purpose of the establishment of the

National Government of Southern Azerbaijan, how the people of South Azerbaijan had been

the victim of imperialism and was exposed on its historical lands to persecution of the Tehran

regime.

Other times, resolutions were sought through the convening of international

conferences. In such cases, there are fewer ground rules, and fewer formal applications of

international law. However, participants are expected to guide themselves through principles

of international fairness, logic, and protocol. The aim of the Paris Peace Conference was to

examine plans for peace agreements between the anti-Hitler coalition (1939-45), which won

the Second World War, and with former allies of fascist Germany in Europe - Italy, Bulgaria,

Hungary, Romania and Finland. The main participants of the Paris Peace Conference 1946

were USSR, US, UK, France and China. The parties included also Australia, Belgium,

Belarus, USSR, Brazil, Greece, India, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland,

Ukraine SSR, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Yugoslavia and South Africa. At the request of the

governments of Mexico, Cuba, Egypt, Iran and Albania, their representatives were

given the opportunity to express their position at the conference. In this way, the

representatives of Iran could attend this conference, and in this case Firudin Ibrahimi could

convince the Iranian government by the diplomatic power so that he was chosen and sent as

the representative. Then he was also successful in bringing the issue of Azerbaijan to the

European ruling powers. I claim that thanks to our courageous, educated, talented and

selfless diplomats and state figures like Firudin Ibrahimi Azerbaijan has been able to

survive, and we, being one nation in the North and South Azerbaijan, owe this to them.

As I mentioned above, the Paris Peace Conference allowed Iran to comment on the position of

its government on the peace treaty between the victorious anti-Hitler coalition states and

former allies of fascist Italy in Europe in the Second World War. Firudin Ibrahimi went to this

conference on behalf of the National Government of Azerbaijan as a press spokesman and on

August 10, 1946, he attended the conference held at Parischr("39")s most famous historical palace

called "Luxembourg". The Luxembourg palace was historically the place of the French

Senate, but in 1946 the Provisional National Assembly of France was gathering in this place

and the deputies held their meetings there.

2 Fahim Younus, Dr. Mohammad (2010). Diplomacy, The Only Legitimate Way of Conducting International

Relations. Lulu. pp. 45-47. ISBN 9781446697061.

Palais du Luxembourg- Paris

Seyid Jafar Pishavari - the leader of the South Azerbaijani movement and the head

of the National Government of South Azerbaijan- was consistently and accurately informed

by Firudin Ibrahimi on the Paris Peace Conference. Pishavari stated proudly in his speech at

the feast held at the Tabriz Theater Hall on September 3, 1946, on the occasion of the

anniversary of the establishment of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan: "Not only in the

Middle East, but at the Peace Conference now the media representatives from Algeria and

Tunisia told our representatives that they welcome our big work." (the issue of ADP of the

newspaper "Azerbaijan", № 1 (290), September 5, 1946). Firidun Ibrahimi was the first

person to represent the National Government of Azerbaijan in the international arena,

participating in the Paris Peace Conference 1946.

Tehran regime, fearing Firudin Ibrahimichr("39")s diplomatic capabilities, arrested him in

December 1946 after they drowned the National Government of Southern Azerbaijan in the

blood. They executed him, hanged him on the tree in the Gulustan Garden of Tabriz on May

22, 1947. Even at his death, during the execution in the Gulustan Garden, Ibrahimi was

thinking of his people and appealed to them. When he saw that the people came to protect

him, that they attempted to attack the gendarmes and the kingchr("39")s troops, he appealed to the

people. Because he knew that this was the result of the bloodshed of the nation. "My dear

friends, be patient, do not let the blood shed! Soon the people of Azerbaijan will gain victory,

and again the National Government will be established in Azerbaijan! Long live the

Azerbaijani people! Long live our Motherland Azerbaijan! " These words by Firudin Ibrahimi

kept the people in safety and at the same time made them not to hesitate that they are on the

right way to the future. This is itself a diplomacy school!

Firudin Ibrahimi compiled a collection of articles in Persian, explaining his true

purpose by this in the newspaper Azerbaijan, the issue of the Azerbaijani Democratic Party, in

this way: "My primary purpose with writing these memories in Persian was to give a lesson to

Tehran's false academics. The second purpose was the defending of the rights of my people,

the history and bright culture of my proud nation who desires freedom, but also to

demonstrate who we are, which historical past we have, who our ancestors are and what they

have sacrificed to protect our national dignity. I want to inform the whole world of the true

identity of the Azerbaijani nation, which has stood up for gaining its proper place and position

in a free and democratic society." (the issue of ADP of the newspaper "Azerbaijan", № 43

(290), September 1, 1945). I see this strategy of Firudin Ibrahimi as a diplomatic strategy, too.

2018-10-20

oNormal>demonstrate who we are, which historical past we have, who our ancestors are and what they

have sacrificed to protect our national dignity. I want to inform the whole world of the true

identity of the Azerbaijani nation, which has stood up for gaining its proper place and position

in a free and democratic society."

(the issue of ADP of the newspaper "Azerbaijan", № 43 (290), September 1, 1945).

I see this strategy of Firudin Ibrahimi as a diplomatic strategy, too.

2018-10-20