As the Azeri Times reports, the journalistic and literary worlds were shocked and saddened this week to learn of the passing of American writer and publicist Thomas Goltz, a renowned expert on the post-Soviet-era Caucasus region, who once courted controversy over remarks labeled racist by certain critics.

According to the outlet, Goltz died at the age of 68,

Passing confirmed

Goltz's passing was the subject of a statement issued by the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, who expressed condolences to the writer's family and friends, as Trend noted.

Aliyev said, “We were deeply saddened by the news of the death of a renowned journalist, writer, publicist, a great friend of Azerbaijan, Thomas Goltz.”

“Thanks to his long-term and productive activity in the field of journalism, his rich experience and high professionalism, Thomas Goltz has earned a great reputation, and with his in-depth research, comprehensive, unbiased analyzes [sic] and articles, he has contributed to the achievement of peace and reconciliation in conflict hotspots.”

Aliyev added, “I always remember with fond memories my meetings and conversations with him, and particular our meeting in Shusha in May of this year. Bright memory of Thomas Goltz will always live in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people.”

Prolific career

According to his own website, Goltz was a self-described “author, academic and adventurer best known for his book-length accounts of conflict in the Post-Soviet Caucasus.”

He authored what was referred to as the “Caucasus Triptych,” which included works on post-Soviet Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Chechnya, among other well-respected works.

Goltz was born in Japan, raised in North Dakota, and went on to learn numerous languages including German, Turkish, Azerbaijani, Russian, Arabic and, as he put it, “fractured Kurdish, Georgian, and Farsi.”

The writer's website indicated that at the time of his death, he was working on a 40-year memoir detailing his “intimate association with Turkey” and also assembling a collection of essays concerning the United States.

Brushes with controversy

Despite the glowing words offered by some on the occasion of his death, Goltz saw his share of controversy in his professional life, particularly in 2009, when he was accused of racism for comments he made during a speech sponsored by the Assembly of Azerbaijani-Canadian Organizations.

Goltz reportedly referred to Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region as “garlic-growing Armenians,” while also failing to discuss ethnic cleansing campaigns against the group initiated by Azerbaijanis.

Also drawing criticism was Goltz's words of praise for Haydar Aliyev, a former leader of Azerbaijan who was himself the subject of heated opinions over the years.

Despite those incidents, it is clear that Goltz's work was admired by many, and his absence will undoubtedly be mourned by students in his area of expertise for years to come.