Azerbaijan: Black January
This post is part of our special coverage Caucasus Conflict Voices.
As much of the world celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, Azerbaijan mourned the 19th anniversary of an event which ultimately led to its independence from the former Soviet Union. With Moscow's power over its satellites weakened, ethnic tensions in the South Caucasus would soon erupt into war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh.
Many among Armenia's ethnic Azerbaijani population had already fled or been forced to leave the country in 1988 and continued to do so over the next year, and clashes in Nagorno Karabakh which left 2 Azeris dead and 50 Armenians wounded stoked existing tensions. Three days later, anti-Armenian pogroms in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait resulted in the deaths of at least 6 Azeris and 26 ethnic Armenians.
As stories of mutual violence between the two ethnic groups continued to circulate, the situation quickly escalated, and on 13 January 1990 another anti-Armenian pogram broke out in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. Figures vary, but anywhere between 48 and 66 — or possibly more — ethnic Armenians were killed.
By 19 January, most of the city's Armenian minority had fled, and the next day Soviet tanks and thousands of soldiers had already moved in ostensibly to stem the ethnic violence which had reportedly subsided. Until this day, questions linger as to why it took so long for Moscow to react, but Human Rights Watch alleges that the military incursion had been planned long before.
Indeed, the international human rights organization and other independent observers conclude that the intervention was staged not to protect ethnic Armenians, but to prevent the victory of pro-independence political forces in elections scheduled the following month. At least 130 people were killed and 700 wounded in what is now known as “Black January.”
Presently on a short visit to Azerbaijan, Anna Takes a Trip comments.
Although today was a joyful day for the U.S., it was a sad day of mourning and remembrance here in Baku. On the 20th of January (“Black January”) they remember the day in 1990 when after rumblings of possible independence Soviet troops rolled in and killed dozens of innocent civilian protestors. The entire city goes up to “Martyr’s Avenue,” an absolutely stunning and beautiful monument that ends with a perpetual fire overlooking the city and the Caspian Sea. You could actually feel the sadness in the air. In 1991 Azerbaijan successfully declared its independence from the USSR.
Learning to Walk in Stilettos also remarks on the day, coming as it did as Obama was sworn into office, while “Side-tALKS” Azerbaijan reflects on what the anniversary means for the country nearly two decades later.
Its now 19 years since the sons and daughters of Azerbaijan gave their life for freedom. These martyrs were victims of the then Kremlin aggression. A defeat on human freedom was a typical characteristic of the communism ideology. Therefore on every hint on the people’s inclination to emancipation, Kremlin had acted with severe military actions.
On that faithful, the 20th of January 1990, the Azerbaijan population woke up to witness a great number of the Russia army in their capital Baku. The direct order wasn’t exact but the consequences of the day was so clear –there were hundreds of innocent civilians -men, women and children killed particularly in the center of the capital city. There were fathers went to work and never returned; children went to school, bidding their parents good bye without realizing that that was the last good bye they will ever wish them. Women went to market and never returned; wives and husbands were separated by death prematurely.
Sheki, Azerbaijan comments from a local perspective.
USSR era ended for Azerbaijan with last massacre Soviet Army has brought upon it on 19-20 January, 1990…
In short Azerbaijan Republic had declared independence and Soviet Army entered on tanks and with Kalashnikovs in their hands to show power and who was in charge… Although USSR government knew that USSR was collapsing and Republics were going independent, government didn’t want to give away the last chance of showing its deep hatred toward free minds and people I must say in general…
[…]
I will neither go into details of wildness when tanks were going over armless people and soldiers were shooting to every window they saw light in…
[…]
I am a woman, mother, spouse and sister and I don’t believe into wars and revenge. To me the most valuable thing on planet Earth is a life of a person, of any person…We had two explosions in Baku tube during last ten years…The country is in ceasefire but now and then coffins of some young guys go back to their homes and ruin lives of their families…I am following the news from places like Gaza, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, civil wars in Africa and it is unfortunate to see what people are doing… […]
20 January is the day Azerbaijanis pay tribute to those who gave their lives for the country's independence…
Sapanov [RU], the blog of a Russian living in Baku, remembers events as they happened.
Напрямую меня те страшные события не коснулись. Но беда была вокруг. У соседского сотрудника погибла 12-летняя дочь Лариса. Погиб врач скорой помощи Александр Мархевка, выехавший к раненым… Страшная была ночь. Да и вообще времена жуткие. До сих пор помню патрульные БТР, гоняющие под окнами, военные палатки на Московском проспекте и автоматчиков, исподлобья поглядывающих на любопытных и мало что понимающих детишек.
Meanwhile, Doctor Ziya [AZ], posts photographs of American journalist Thomas Goltz being interviewed by the Azadliq Azeri service of RFE/RL. It also quotes the well-known specialist on Azerbaijan who likens the day to 4 July in the United States.
«Əlbəttə, həmin günlərdə ölənlərə görə məyusam, kədərlənirəm. Amma nəticədə axı siz müstəqilliyi əldə etdiniz. Bu tarix sizin üçün ABŞ-da qeyd olunan Müstəqillik Günü kimi, 4 İyul kimi olmalıdır. Buna fəxrlə yanaşmaq lazımdır, ağlamaq yox».
Now that its broadcasts have been banned in the country, Azadliq continues to use its website to disseminate news and images, including a photo slide show of images from that fateful day.
This post is part of our special coverage Caucasus Conflict Voices.
31 comments
Sedrak, we’ll just agree to disagree and leave it at that. We can continue this discussion over beer at the weekend for sure, but you know, it would be much better to talk about ways to resolve ethnic conflict in the South Caucasus. Actually, over beer it would be better to talk about other things.
Only thing is, Sedrak, will you drink with and talk to a “pseudo-liberal?” ;-)
Gunel, have to be honest, I consider myself a British citizen first and foremost. My mother is English and my father is ethnic Armenian born in Greece. That might get the hairs of some standing on end now, but an interesting story: when the bodyguards of oligarchs beat journalists covering opposition rallies in Yerevan in 2004 I was one of those attacked.
So, an independent TV company called me in for an interview and what was the first question they asked about the violence directed against the media without any police intervention? Can you believe it was “Onnik, you’ve been living here now for 6 years. Do you consider yourself Hayastantsi (local Armenian) or Diasporan?”
After I managed to stop myself from looking at the interviewer in total confusion there was only one thing I could answer. “I consider myself a person…” When even ethnic Armenians divide and discriminate against each other it just gets totally ridiculous. This, in my opinion, is the nature of ethnic politics and nationalism. This is the absurdity of it all.
Sure, but really lately I found myself not being able to catch everything that is said to me in English, so I think besides my training in listening English, it would be perfect if you also train your Armenian speech :)
I do think January 2oth was attempt by Kremlin to remain in power. With regards to Karabakh conflict, I do agree with Onnik that ethnic nationalism is the root of the problem. It may or may not have been assisted or even encouriged by outside forces (Kremlin, CIA or whatever else…) but it is the ethnic nationalism that we need to oppose on both sides. Without it Azeris would not be removd from Armenia, Karabakh and its surroundings and Armenians would not be be removed from Sumgait, Baku and etc…
peace to all!
Gunel, it’s true, no battle between myself and Sedrak. We may disagree on politics and so on, but he’s a good guy when you meet him. Quite charming and down to earth, in fact. Unlike many others as well, even though I might disagree with his comments and he with mine, we’re remaining civil. That’s what matters most at the end of the day and a good first step towards open discussion of such issues.
Onnik jan
I completely support Setrak at this discussion,but,on the other hand ready to drink with “pseudo-liberals” like you:)
By the way,I want to present for you consideration
martimek.wordpress.com
You’ll find there many interesting things
It is an interesting note and something that comes closer to truth. I should commend those Armenians who at least acknowldge the fact of massacares of Azerbaijanis even thouh they tend to reduce the numebr of those killed.
As many other Turks, me as an Azerbaijani Turk, has never denied that there were not massacares of Armenians. But these massacares never were larger than massacares of Turkey Turks or Azerbaijanis Turks. Therefore, the 1915 massacare of Armenians that Armenians especially love to refer, was also a response to massacares of more than half million Turkey and Azerbaiajni Turks killed barbarically by Armenians. The peace in the region does not depend on elimination of nationalism in the region. Because even with nationalism as you can see Onnik we, Georgian, Dagestanis and others do not have any problem living side by side and respecting others’ rights. The peace largely depends on Armenians coming to peace with their unpleasant and fully of lie past and respecting the rights of others for existence and living in the territories their grandfatehrs have been living for hundreds of years.
As to the claims of Armenians that these territories or the entire world were theirs, neither God (Allah) nor anyone else did not promise any land to anybody. Secondaly, if we take the evolutionary theory as the basis then all people came to somewhere from somewhere, which include armenians too (who claims that their hisotry goes back to millions of years back going as far as claiming that Adam was as Armenian :-))) ).
Therefore as long as armenian continue to believe in lies that their church and intelligentzia have invented to keep armenians mobilized and to ensure your political unity and as long as this mobilization and unity takes place at the expense of invented, developed, maintained and deepened hater to Turks including Azerbaijani Turks, there will never be the peace in the region.
I do not exclude the fact that in some 50 or 100 years from now if the Karabakh territories are not liberated my sons will be fighting your sons. You may ask why 50 -100 years from now on, because by that time neither US nor Europe will be the same and Armenia will never be able to command so much support from the West through your diasporas and prostitute politicians in US and Europe exploiting christian solidairty too.
Atilla
Hello Atilla,
I would hate to elaborate on everything you presented. The main point I’d like to clarify is that to get this unusual idea of Armenians thinking they are descendants of Adam. Yes, according to some biblical scholars the Garden of Eden resided just south of Armenia Major. Noah landed on Ararat and his son Hapet I guess lived in the region, starting his family. I think most Armenians know that this is not legitimate history nor is it anywhere near a million or even 4 thousand years old. Armenians are accepted to be 4 or 5 thousand years old.
Armenians are a very old people, archeology and Persian, Assyrian, and many other ancient sources can present that information to you. I’d like to see those sources on Armenians massacring those exceedingly large amounts of Turks. We are not perfect, but I have not come across any sources referring to mass killing “programs”. If you can give me a book name or anything to buy I’d appreciate it.
Manuk
Onnik im becoming fan of you.Without a knowledge of russian or azeri you are making the most appropriate comments on every disputable issue.Saying Azeri Turks is very funny,same as saying russian slavians,italian latins,english anglo -sax,kazakh turks..
I know you condemn Aliyev for his war speeches but thanks for Sarkisyans quote you mentioned above.He shouldnt say like that even he thinks so or recently he said that Karabagh conflict is christian muslim fight or when he said to Aliyev “invest to Karabagh maybe then the people of Karabagh will change their mind to stay in Azerbaijan”.I think one doesnt need any intelligence at all to advance to precidency in Caucases.
i see more profitable to discuss on how to advance socio-economic situation,democracy,human rights in the region than above issues.
If Azerbaijani Turks are stereotyping how would you explain the Azeri and Turkish slogan “Bir Millet Iki Devlet”, i.e. “one nation two states”?
Manuk, that is a political slogan used by some, but not all, just as Armenia Sea to sea doesn’t imply that all Armenians want to see the creation of a Greater Armenia.
In journalistic terms, however, the way countries and people are referred to is particularly important. First of all does citizenship come over nationality? Azerbaijan is not a mono-ethnic country, for example.
So, Azerbaijan is the country name, Azerbaijanis are the citizens, and these are legally and constitutionally referred to terms. The is no mention of Azeri-Turk in the Azerbaijani Constitution, for example.
Azeri is an ethnic term. however, and both phrases referred to have more to do with national ideology among small pockets of the population rather than the masses. The term is also necessary to differentiate between ethnic Azeris in, say, Iran, and citizens of Azerbaijan.
Now, if you were writing an academic study on the ethnic origins of a nation, it would perhaps be different. Nevertheless, such phrases used in the context that they were are intended to perpetuate conflict than resolve it.
The same with Armenians referring to “Armenified Jews” (of which some, like the Union of Armenian Aryans, say most of the population of the Republic are.
These are nationalist slogans and, as you might have noticed, are not used by the established, mainstream international media, or even used by the local media. Anyway, I’ve said my piece, everyone else has said theirs.
We will all just agree to differ, but I would point you in the direction of this video by now imprisoned video blogging youth activist Adnan Hajizade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiZ7g7oXBjA