Ա պատվիրակության լիազոր ներկայացուչ Մ. Տամատյանի գործունեությունը Կիլիկիայում 1918-1920 թթ. / The Authorized Representative of the National Delegation M. Tamatyan's Activity in Cilicia in 1918-1920

Abstract

One of the best periods of the life of M. Tamatyan, a prominent figure in the Armenian national liberation struggle, was the period of his patriotic activity in Cilicia in 1918-1920. The First World War ended with the Armistice of Mudros, after which the French authorities, who seized Cilicia, promised independence to the Armenians who miraculously escaped the genocide and were exiled to the Syrian deserts. Cilician Armenians began to gradually return and equip their native lands. In 1918, M. Tamatyan, as an authorized representative of the National Delegation, arrived in Cilicia and, with his inherent unshakable patriotism, harnessed himself to the difficult task of organizing the life of the local Armenians, rapprochement with the French authorities, ensuring opposition to the ongoing attacks of the Kemalaturk cutthroats and settling other topical issues. Hoping for the support of the French military authorities, Tamatyan even tried to proclaim autonomy in Cilicia. However, the French, reoriented towards Turkey, having forgotten about the promises given to the Armenians, dispersed the newly formed government of Armenians by military force. Disappointed by these realities, Tamatian left Cilicia in an extremely depressed state.