Armenia
The Urartu Civilisation
Victory for Independence
Artashisian Dynasty on the Armenian Throne
Armenia caught between Rome and the Arsacids
The Acceptance of Christianity
Defending Christianity
Armenia Under the Bagratouni Dynasty
Cilicia - the New Armenia
Armenia Under Turanian Rule
The Renaissance or the Resurrection of Armenia
The Eastern Question
Russia in the Caucasus
The Armenian Question
Battle on Two Fronts
Tsarist Russia Against the Armenians
The Revolution of the Young Turks and the Armenian People on the Eve of World War I
The First World War
The Resurrection of Armenia
Armenia on the Road to Independence, 1918
- Armenia on the Road to Independence, 1918
Eastern Armenia
Western Armenia
"The Fateful Years" (1914-1917)
"Hopes and Emotions" (March-October, 1917)
The Bolshevik Revolution and Armenia
Transcaucasia Adrift (November, 1917
Dilemmas (March-April, 1918)
War and Independence (April-May, 1918)
The Republics of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia
The Suppliants (June-October, 1918)
In conclusion
Soviet Armenia
The Second Independent Republic of Armenia
Epilogue
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The conference raced toward an impasse. Since direct rapid communication with Tiflis was lacking, Kachaznouni suggested a recess so that a few members of the delegation could confer with the Seim and return to Trabizond with further instructions. Hajinsky, Khas-Mamedov, and Mehtiev objected to the proposal and insisted that the proceedings should not be interrupted. 47 The fifth plenary session proved, however, that further talks would be fruitless unless Transcaucasia made greater concessions. During the meeting, Chkhenkeli contended that the Seim had already acted positively on the subject of independence by appointing a commission to work out the necessary details in the shortest possible time. But the declaration of independence could not be made until Turkey had accepted the March 1 bases for peace. With reference to the fourth point of those terms, Rauf angrily rebuked the Transcaucasian delegation for attempting to meddle in the internal affairs of the Ottoman Empire. The "so-called question of Western Armenia" had no place on the agenda. In a softer tone, he added that the Imperial government was pleased to learn of Transcaucasia's decision to begin an independent life but that the mutual obligations between Russia and Turkey could not be ignored. The Sublime Porte could consider recognising Transcaucasia only after every claim on Kars, Ardahan, and Batum had been renounced. 48 After five plenary sessions the broad gap between Ottoman and Transcaucasian views had not been bridged.
Gathering in caucus in the wake of Rauf's final statements, the Transcaucasians stopped to caustic recriminations. Hajinsky ridiculed the indecisiveness of Khatisian, who in turn accused Hajinsky of divulging secrets to the Turks in the adjoining room. Khas-Mamedov satirised the delegation of which he was a member and characterised its stand as farcical. The last semblance of even superficial unity among the delegates was shattered. In this noxious atmosphere it was finally agreed that Haidarov, Laskhishvili, and Kachaznouni would return to Tiflis for directives and that Rauf would be asked to accede to a temporary recess. 49
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