Mustafa Selimov was born hundred years ago in the mountain-wood Crimean village Kokkoz located on coast of the small river with the same name which is inflow of Belbek. At that time in Kokkoz consisting of five quarters (maale) lived about 1600 inhabitants (on census of 1897 — 1687 persons). In 1830th years it is the settlement consisting of 230 court yard, was famous for masters on manufacturing of carts and vehicles.

In 1928 Mustafa has ended seven-year school in native village and till 1931 studied in school in Bakhchisarai, simultaneously working as the manager of regional library. After leaving school till September, 1931 worked as the secretary of the Kokkoz Village Soviet and the vice-president of collective farm «Socialism». Since 1931 for 1935 worked operating affairs of the Bakhchsarai district committee of party, and in 1935-1936 studied on party courses in Simferopol. In 1936-1937 worked as the instructor of Bakhchsarai district committee,since 1937 till May 1939 — the secretary of a district committee of Komsomol, from May till September, 1939 — to managers Bakhchsarai Regional Land Division.

As it is specified in M.Selimov’s autobiography, ру «from September till November, 1939 consisted as a part of a field army as the political leader». Having returned to Bakhchisarai, has worked there manager of a staff department of a district committee of party till February, 1940. Since February 1940 till June 1943 M.V.Selimov — the first secretary of Yalta district committee, including — since November 1941 till June 1943 «in a reserve at evacuated Crimean committee».

As soon as war began M.V.Selimov achieved sending on front, but has been left in a reserve and evacuated. In the beginning of 1942 took part in Kerch-Feodosiya landing operation and in the first clearing of Kerch.

Since May 1942 was at first in Krasnodar, then in Sochi as a part of a reserve. In the autobiography of Mustafa Veisovich has noticed that in June, 1943 «by an avialanding has been thrown in back of the enemy — in the Crimean wood, on guerrilla Baksansky airdrom from Continent has arrived 50 persons who have been selected by the commitee»…

Mustafa Selimov has been appointed by the commissioner of the first guerrilla group (which M.Makedonsky ordered). About fighting everyday life of group (since June and till November, 7th 1943) it is in detail told in the newspaper «Areket» ³2 (99) from 27.02. 2001 In a notebook of the commissioner among the surnames which have caused a stir in operations the guerrilla, we meet also our compatriots Memet Appazov, Asan Mamutov, Vaap Dzhemileva, Seitamet Isljamov…

In first four months M.Selimov has established regular connection with operating underground groups, organised new groups in cities and areas of Crimea.

On November, 7th, 1943 M.Selimov has been appointed by the commissioner of 4th guerrilla brigade consisting at first from four groups, and from 9.11. 1943 — already from six groups. About fighting affairs of a brigade (on the basis of records in notebooks of commissioner Selimov) it is told in a sketch «the Chronicle of 4th brigade the guerrilla of Crimea» («Areket» see, №3 (100) from 27.03. 2001). To the middle of January, 1944 in a brigade there were 1944 guerrillas, including the Crimean Tatars — 501 persons (24 % from all staff). Among those who was at war in a brigade of Selimov, there was also elder brother Seit-Bekir Osmanov (1911-1985) scientist-ichthyologist Sejtumer Osmanov (1907-2008).

In the end of January, 1944 from the expanded brigade the Order of the Crimean Staff of guerrilla movement had been generated Southern connection (SС) which commissioner have appointed M.V.Selimov. It was on number the largest of three Connections Crimean the guerrilla (were still Northern and East) which was based and operated around the most compact residing of the Crimean Tatars — in a mountain-wood part of Crimea, located jugo-to the west Chatyrdag. About fighting affairs of Southern connection it is told in a sketch published in the newspaper «Areket» №4 (101) from 4/28/2001 I Will notice especially that on April, 14th, 1944 6th brigade SС with fights has occupied a city and railway station Bakhchisaray. A part of its groups Alma blocked station and moved ahead to Simferopol from the south and the southeast. Groups of 7th brigade SС have cleared of the opponent the Belbeksky valley from Kokkoz to Sjujrenja and participated in clearing of Yalta. (I pay attention of readers to a material «Worthy memory of the people the son», published in the newspaper «Voice of Crimea» (15.01. 2010) and the containing text of the report of M.Selimov from 4/15/1944 in which figures and the facts of participation of the Crimean Tatars in resistance to invaders are resulted.)

On May, 18th 1944 Mustafa Selimov, as well as all people, have been sent from Crimea. Till April, 1945 worked as the vice-president of Bekabad district executive committee, then till August 1948 — the director of the Central Asian branch of All-Union scientific research institute of Winemaking and Wine growing of «Magarach». After six years has worked at All-Union Institute of Plant growing. With 1955 on 1959 Selimov was the deputy director of Allied research cotton-growing institute, and with 1959 on 1961 — the assistant to the President of Academy of Agricultural sciences of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.

In 1961-1963 M.V.Selimov — the deputy chief of Central administrative board of a science and propagation of Ministry of Agriculture UzSsR. In 1963-1966 he worked as the chief of department of the State Committee in Central Asia, and since 1966 — deputy director Uzgiprovodhoz. Has been awarded by a medal «For labour valour». Since 1955 — the pensioner of republican value.

Mustafa Selimov co-operated many years with the newspaper «Lenin bairagi», there were one of the main advisers the headings «Dzhesaret» («Courage»), devoted to participation of the Crimean Tatars in the Great Patriotic War.

By the way, the detailed sketch of Abljaziz Veliev «Fedakjarlyk published in the newspaper« Lenin bairagi »(№ 78 (3175) from 01.07. 1980) has been dated for M.V.Selimov’s seventieth anniversary and was a congratulation to him on behalf of tens thousand compatriots — readers of the newspaper.

Mustafa Veisovich SELIMOV was one of initiators of National Movement of the Crimean Tatars created and operating as a wide internal popular initiative.

About such as Selimov, recollected in 1992 Jury Bekirovich Osmanov (1941-1993): «people with a broad outlook and powerful theoretical base were Initiators of Movement exclusively courageous, passed the car of Stalin reprisals and provocations, and deeply comprehended experience of preceding history of the people. Before them there was a problem not only to discredit crimes and the criminal, but necessity of that this understanding to arm the people» (J.Osmanov. The antibook by «X» hour. «Areket», №15 from 15.12. 1992)

M.V.Selimov actively, without showing, participated in all initiatives of Movement: the organisations of initiative groups and adjustment of communications between them, in drawing up of documents and work of delegations of representatives of the people. In March, 1957, along with such veterans of war as Amethan Sultan, Refat Mustafaev, Bekir Osmanov, I.Hajrullaev, S.Halilov and others, has signed the REFERENCE to 1 secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU N.Khruschev… After similar references and the detailed documents giving the analysis of a high treason carried out against the people, there were tens.

«On August, 2nd 1957 Mustafa Selimov and Dzhebbar Akimov will organise departure to Moscow the first group for the ethnic question decision. With them profits together B.Osmanov, V.Murtazaev, I.Mustafaev, S.Emin, S.Asanov, Z.Nijazieva and others…» (T.Dagdzhi. With what the road home began. «The voice of Crimea», №16 (698) from 13.04. 2007). I Consider it necessary to pay attention of readers to the story-memoirs quoted above published three years ago, but become today, in days of a centenary of M.Selimova, even more actual.

Mustafa Selimov has been convinced that returning to Crimea of the people and restoration of its trampled rights are inevitable. But he could not see the beginning of mass returning of the Crimean Tatars home. He has died on foreign land 25 years ago.

In June, 2010 45 years from the date of Order acceptance of the Crimean Tatar people which are the program and the charter of National movement will be executed. M.V.Selimov — one of those who actively participated in its development and a formulation.

Recollecting events of first half 1960th years Y.B. Osmanov in 1993 has noted the following: «Success has been caused by that the Crimean Tatar people in monstrous conditions, a partition and the most severe oppression have proved as really steady historical generality possessing huge survivability, firmness to deprivations. Secondly, that at the moment of origin of Movement it possessed originally gold« elite », possessing all necessary qualities for development, a formulation of principles of Movement: firmness, courage and fidelity to the people, ideals of justice, democracy, disinterested and selfless».

These words are addressed too Mustafa Veisovich SELIMOV too. Eternal memory in all generations of our people.

Asan HURSHUTOV,

Gaspra, March, 2010