The French Policy in the Republic of Armenia and Transcaucasia in 1919–1920

The authors examine French policy in the Republic of Armenia (RA) and Transcaucasia in 1919–1920, methods of France's penetration in the region, and the rivalry with the United States and Britain at the Paris Peace Conference. On May 21‒31, 1919 the French Premier G. Clemenceau forced the US President W. Wilson to limit his claims in the big Near East and in the Armenian Republic particularly. Victorious Council of Four at Paris considered the problems of the RA in the general context of the Armenian question. France strengthened its position in Transcaucasia by economic methods and developed partnerships with new states. It prevailed diplomatically over the US in the end of May 1919 at the Paris Peace Conference. France intensified its activities in Transcaucasia after the withdrawal of British troops from the region in August 1919. In November, the Third Republic became the second most important state after Britain in resolving the Armenian issue. In 1920 the French encouraged independence of the RA, supported Armenia in territorial disputes and did not exclude future cooperation with the non-Bolshevik Russia.