Alexander Khatisian | |
|---|---|
Ալեքսանդր Խատիսեան | |
 Autochrome portrait byAuguste Léon, 1921 | |
| Foreign Affairs Minister of Armenia | |
| In office 30 June 1918 – 4 November 1918 | |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Sirakan Tigranyan |
| In office 27 April 1919 – 5 May 1920 | |
| Preceded by | Sirakan Tigranyan |
| Succeeded by | Hamo Ohanjanyan |
| 2ndPrime Minister of Armenia | |
| In office 28 May 1919 – 5 May 1920 | |
| Preceded by | Hovhannes Kajaznuni |
| Succeeded by | Hamo Ohanjanyan |
| Interior Minister of Armenia | |
| In office 26 January 1919 – 27 April 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Aram Manukian |
| Succeeded by | Sargis Manasian |
| Welfare Minister of Armenia | |
| In office 13 December 1918 – 7 February 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Aram Manukian |
| Succeeded by | Sahak Torosyan |
| Mayor of Tiflis | |
| In office 1910–1917 | |
| Preceded by | Vasiliy Cherkezov |
| Succeeded by | Benia Chkhikvishvili |
| Mayor of Alexandropol | |
| In office 1917–1917 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1874-02-17)17 February 1874 Tiflis,Tiflis Governorate,Russian Empire |
| Died | 10 March 1945(1945-03-10) (aged 71) Paris,France |
| Nationality | Armenian |
| Political party | Armenian Revolutionary Federation |
Alexander Khatisian (Armenian:Ալեքսանդր Խատիսեան; 17 February 1874 – 10 March 1945) was anArmenian politician, doctor and journalist.[1]
In a letter to his wife, the first prime minister of Armenia,Hovhannes Kajaznuni, described Khatisian as a person with "inexhaustible energy and a strange ability to work". Adding that "he has entrepreneurship (initiative), strong nerves, he understands issues quickly, he has a lot of administrative experience. able to adapt and find the middle line … he is the most valued member of my cabinet today, unfortunately he has no moral authority, does not inspire faith and confidence in his personality, and this greatly hinders the work."[2]
Khatisian was born inTiflis in theTiflis Governorate of theRussian Empire (Tbilisi,Georgia) to a prominent Armenian family of noble origins. He first studied at a state school in Tiflis, then received his training as a doctor at universities in Moscow, Kharkov and Germany.[3] He served as the mayor of Tiflis from 1910 to 1917. During this periodCount Illarion Ivanovich Vorontsov-Dashkov consulted with him, Primate of Tiflis Bishop Mesrop Der-Movsesian, and prominent civic leader Dr.Hakob Zavriev about the creation ofArmenian volunteer detachments in the summer of 1914, which Khatisian enthusiastically supported and organized.[4] In 1917, Khatisian became a member of theArmenian Revolutionary Federation.[3]
In the lead up to the establishmentFirst Republic of Armenia, he served as a member from theArmenian National Council of Tiflis to theArmenian National Council and later to the permanent executive committee selected byArmenian Congress of Eastern Armenians. After declaration of the First Republic of Armenia, he served as foreign minister and signed theTreaty of Batum with theOttoman Empire. He served as interior minister January–April 1920 following the death ofAram Manukian, then served asprime minister from May 1919 to May 1920, resigning in the aftermath of the Bolshevik-ledMay Uprising.[5] After his resignation, he sought aid for the Republic of Armenia in various European capitals.[3] On December 3, 1920, an Armenian delegation led by Khatisian signed theTreaty of Alexandropol with Kemalist Turkey, though the government it represented no longer existed (power had already been transferred to the new Soviet authorities), making the treaty illegal.[6]
Following theSoviet takeover of Armenia, Khatisian went into exile inParis,France. He wrote his memoirs titledKʻaghakʻapeti mě hishataknerě ("The Memoirs of a Mayor") andHayastani Hanrapetutʻian tsagumn u zargatsʻumě ("History and Development of the Republic of Armenia", 1930, revised edition 1968).[3] He was arrested following the liberation of Paris from Nazi occupation on suspicion of collaborating with the Germans, but was soon released.[3] He died in Paris on 10 March 1945 at the age of 71.[3]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Prime Minister of the First Republic of Armenia 1919-1920 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
