107. NOTE TO MEMBERS OF THE POLITBUREAU OF THE R.C.P.(B.) CENTRAL COMMITTEE WITH A DRAFT TELEGRAM TO G. K. ORJONIKIDZE

Written on March 29, 1921 · First published in part in 1932 in Lenin Miscellany XX. Published in full in 1965 in Collected Works, Fifth (Russian) Ed., Vol. 52. Printed from the original. · page 109

I propose a reply in code by
direct line Orjonikidze

We have received a desperate telegram from Narimanov, Buniat-zade and Serebrovsky, stating with good reason that   it is absolutely impossible for the 11th Army to return to stripped and starving Azerbaijan. Take the most vigorous measures to have the Army stay in Georgia, and at all costs speed up the import of grain from abroad in exchange for concessions in Georgia, manganese, etc. Reply at once.

On behalf of Politbureau
Lenin

Politbureau members voting for

Lenin^[1] against

Notes

[1] Others who signed “for” were: M. I. Kalinin, L. B. Kamenev and V. M. Molotov; L. D. Trotsky abstained.—Ed.