Telegram to G.K. Ordzhonikidze, S.M. Kirov, and P.G. Mdivani, October 28-29, 1921

Source: Tom 17

Telegram. In cipher.

Baku. Ordzhonikidze, Kirov.

Tiflis. Mdivani.

Copy: Figatner.

We have received from Baku, signed by Kirov and Ordzhonikidze, a telegram: "The party purge threatens to leave outside the party certain people's commissars. In the districts, a large number of those expelled are former policemen and bandits. All of them are Muslims and many held responsible posts. To avoid misunderstandings and distortions, which are inevitable, it would be desirable to send one of the members of the Central Verification Commission."

Having discussed the telegram, we decided: to propose that the Caucasus Bureau member Mdivani immediately travel to Azerbaijan and resolve on the spot the misunderstandings connected with the purge, guided by the principle that, in view of the youthfulness of the communist movement in Azerbaijan, maximum leniency and tolerance should be shown toward Muslim communists during the purge, expelling from the party only manifestly dishonest former policemen and bandits.

P. Zalutsky.

Stalin.

Lenin.

Source: V.I. Lenin. Unknown Documents. 1891-1922, p. 481.

RGASPI. F. 2. Op. 1. D. 21660. L. 3.