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| Republic of Armenia
Total area:
29,800 sq. km
Slightly larger than Maryland
Bordering states:
Azerbaijan (east) 566 km
Nakhichevan (south) 221 km
Georgia 164 km
Iran 35 km
Turkey 268 km
Population:
3.6 million
68% urban
110.5 persons/sq. km
Ethnic composition:
93.3% Armenian
1.5% Russian
1.7% Kurdish
3.5% Assyrian, Greek, other |
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Independence: Armenia established its independence on September 21, 1991.
CIS membership status: Armenia joined the CIS in March 1992 and CIS Defense Treaty in May 1992.
Constitution: A constitution was adopted by national referendum on July 5, 1995.
Elections: Parliamentary elections were held May 30, 1999. Presidential elections were held in March 1998.
Diplomatic representation: The United States representative to Armenia is Ambassador Michael Lemmon. The Armenian representative to the United States is Ambassador Arman Kirakossian. The Armenian representative to the United Nations is Ambassador Movses Abelian.
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POLITICAL LEADERSHIP: President Robert Kocharian
Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkisian Parliamentary Chairman Karen Demirchian
Cabinet Ministers: Health Haik Nikoghosian
Agriculture Gagik Shahbazian Industry & Trade Haik Gevorkian
Communications Rouben Tonoyan Internal Affairs Suren Abrahamian
Culture, Youth & Sport Roland Sharoyan Justice David Harutiunian
Defense Vagharshak Harutiunian National Security Serge Sarkisian
Economic Reform Armen Darbinian Privatization Pavel Kaltakhchian
Education & Science Eduard Khazarian Regional Gov't Affairs Khosrov Harutiunian
Energy David Zadoyan Social Welfare Razmig Martirossian
Environment Gevork Vartanian Statistics & Analysis Stepan Mnatsakanian
Finance & Economy Levon Barkhudarian Transportation Yervant Zakarian
Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanian Urban Development Hrair Hovhanissian
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MONTHLY CHRONOLOGY
9 August: President Robert Kocharian and Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian meet with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi in Yerevan. The officials discuss the situation in Nagorno Karabagh and the status of the latest peace plan proposed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Iranian foreign minister reiterates his government's offer to launch its own mediation effort for the Karabagh conflict. Officials also discuss financing plans for a $120 million natural gas pipeline between Iran and Armenia.
9 August: President Kocharian and Foreign Minister Oskanian hold separate meetings with a delegation of five visiting members of the U.S. Congress in Yerevan. Talks on bilateral issues and relations are held and the U.S. officials are briefed on the latest situation in Nagorno Karabagh, the details of Kocharian meeting last month with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, and the state of the peace talks underway by the OSCE. The U.S. Congressional delegation is also scheduled to holds meetings in Nagorno Karabagh and Azerbaijan as part of its regional tour.
10 August: Several press reports reveal that a "secret meeting" between Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian and Georgian Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze was held in the Armenian-populated region of Akhalkalaki (Javakh) to discuss the political and economic situation in the region. The Armenian defense minister was actually born in Georgia and lived in Akhalkalaki during his childhood.
10 August: Kocharian appoints Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Albert Bazeyan as the new mayor of Yerevan. It is also announced that former leading Armenian National Movement (ANM) member Eduard Yegorian has died. Yegorian, one of the authors of the country's new constitution, left the ANM in 1997 to form the "Hairenik" (Fatherland) bloc in the parliament.
11 August: A Yerevan court announces a postponement of the Armenian government's case against the Greek state-owned OTE telecommunications corporation and the U.S. TransWorld Telecom company. The Armenian government claims that both companies owe substantial profit taxes.
12 August: The Armenian government announces that fifteen governmental council administrators of towns and villages have been dismissed from their positions due to their "failure to cooperate with tax revenue collectors" and for seriously failing to meet their local budget projections.
18 August: In anticipation of an August 23 special session of parliament to discuss the budget, Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkisian calls on the parliamentary Committee on Economics to support his proposed budget cuts. The cuts were drafted after it was determined that there would be a 33 billion dram ($61 million) budget deficit. Sarkisian's proposal includes budget cuts in "non-essential expenditures and programs," including reduced spending for social and educational programs and health care, as well as tax increases on cigarettes and gasoline.
20 August: In a statement released to the Yerevan press, defense lawyer Garo Karapetian announces that his client, former Education Minister and leader of the opposition "Nor Ughi" political party Ashot Bleyan, has been assaulted while in detention in the Nubarashen detention center. Bleyan was arrested in May on charges of corruption and embezzlement of state education funds.
22 August: President Kocharian meets with Azerbaijani President Geidar Aliyev in Geneva for a second round of bilateral talks. The presidents state their willingness to "resolve the Nagorno Karabagh conflict using only peaceful means" and pledge to send their defense ministers to another meeting to coordinate the strengthening of the cease-fire. The meeting of the two heads of state is the follows an earlier meeting in mid-July.
24-29 August: Foreign Minister Oskanian meets with Chinese Prime Minister Rongji Zhu during an official visit to Beijing. The Armenian foreign minister discusses a set of bilateral issues with Chinese officials, including possible Chinese investment in Armenia's energy and mining industries. Preliminary talks are underway concerning Chinese investment in the Razdan thermal electric power station and in the mining of Armenian copper, molybdenum and gold. Following his visit to China, Oskanian is scheduled to visit Japan.
25 August: The parliament formally approves a new World Bank loan providing $19.5 million and a Japanese loan package of $13.5. The loans will be used for the modernization and expansion of the country's power network grid and its national distribution network. Welcoming the loan package, Armenian first deputy Energy Minister Garen Galstyan states that the modernization program will save nearly $5 million annually by increasing efficiency and reducing energy loss.
25 August: Finance Minister Levon Barkhudarian releases new government statistics revealing that Armenia's foreign debt has surpassed $880 million, or about 46 percent of the country's Gross National Product (GNP). Adding to the concerns, Minister of Statistics and Analysis Stepan Mnatsakanian adds that Armenia has become heavily dependent on external debt and foreign markets with a distorted trade balance marked by a serious dominance of imports over exports.
26 August: Former prime minister Hrant Bagratian warns that the government is dangerously close to becoming unable to meet its schedule for internal debt repayments if it continues its practice of selling short-term , high-yield treasury bills. These "T-bills" hold a fifty percent annual yield and are a very expensive mechanism for the financing of government debt.
26 August: Azerbaijani and Armenian border troops exchange fire along the southwestern Armenian border with Nakhichevan and in the Krasnoselsk area along the northeastern border with Azerbaijan. Although no injuries or casualties are reported, the incidents demonstrate the fragility of the informal cease-fire agreement in effect in the region since May 1994.
27 August: Justice Ministry officials confirm media reports that former Interior Minister and Yerevan Mayor Vano Siradeghian will stand trial on September 9, on charges of orchestrating a series of political murders during his 1994-1996 tenure in the Ter Petrosian government. Presiding Justice Samvel Torosian states that he has approved a list of 229 prospective witnesses in the trial. Although currently serving as a member of parliament, Siradeghian's parliamentary immunity was lifted in February.
27 August: The Armenian government dispatches emergency aid, medicine and mobile field generators to help the earthquake relief effort in Turkey. An earlier offer by the Armenian government to send assistance and rescue teams immediately after the earthquake was not accepted by the Turkish government.
27 August: A delegation led by Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian attends the defense ministers' summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan. The CIS ministerial summit reviews the results of the recent air force and air defense exercises, "Combat Commonwealth-99." Armenian units participated in the exercises with troops from Belarus, Kyrgystan and Kazakhstan. The exercises were designed to test the CIS S-300 air defense system. The defense ministries of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Tajikistan and Ukraine also sent official observers.
28 August: The parliament adopts the budget cuts offered late last month by Prime Minister Sarkisian to counter the 33 billion dram ($61 million) budget deficit. The austerity measures include new increases in the excise taxes on gasoline and cigarettes and reduced spending for health care, social and educational programs, and cuts in infrastructure investments. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue to withhold some $55 million in new loans, however, until the government addresses the 17 billion dram private sector debt owed to government owned energy firms.
29 August: Foreign Minister Oskanian, on his first visit to Japan, begins a three-day series of meetings with Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and other senior officials in Tokyo. The foreign ministers discuss expanding bilateral trade and the possibility of Japanese investment in the Armenian energy sector. |
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Republic of Georgia
Total area:
69,700 sq. km
Slightly larger than S. Carolina
Bordering states:
Armenia 164 km
Azerbaijan 322 km
Russia 723 km
Turkey 252 km
Population:
5.57 million
56% urban
78 persons/sq. km
Ethnic composition: 69% Georgian, 9% Armenian, 6% Russian, 6% Ajarian*, 5% Azerbaijani, 3% Ossetian, 2% Abkhazian.
Georgia includes the autonomous republics of Abkhazia and Ajaria and the South Ossetian Autonomous Region.
*- The Ajarians are a distinct ethnographic group of Georgians. |
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Independence: Georgia established its independence on April 9, 1991.
CIS membership status: The Georgian government joined the CIS on October 23, 1993.
Constitution: A constitution was adopted in August, 1995, which reinstates a presidential form of government and provides for a strong executive branch and a unicameral 235-seat parliament. A constitutional court was also created. The constitution, however, does not address the status of Abkhazia, Ossetia or Ajaria.
Elections: Presidential elections are scheduled for April 9th. Parliamentary elections were held October 31, 1999.
Diplomatic representation: The United States representative to Georgia is Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz. The Georgian representative to the United States, as well as Canada and Mexico, is Ambassador Tedo Japaridze. The Georgian representative to the United Nations is Ambassador Peter Chkiedze.
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POLITICAL LEADERSHIP:
President Eduard Shevardnadze Parliamentary Chairman Zurab Zhvania
State Minister Vazha Lordkipanidze Chair Nat'l Security Council Archil Gegeshidze
Cabinet Ministers: Health Avtandil Jorbenadze
Agriculture Bakur Gulua Industry Badri Shoshitaishvili
Communications Sergo Esakia Internal Affairs Kakha Targamadze
Culture Valeri Asatiani Justice Joni Khetauriari
Defense Davit Tevzadze Labor & Social Security Tengiz Gazdeliani
Education Aleksandre Kartozia Security Vakhtang Kutakladze
Environment Nino Ckhkobadze State Property Mikhail Ukleba
Finance Davit Onoprishvili Trade & Economic Relations Tamriko Beruchashvili
Foreign Affairs Irakli Menagrashvili Transport Merab Adeishvili
Fuel and Energy Temur Giorgadze Urban Affairs Merab Chkhen
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MONTHLY CHRONOLOGY
3 August: Georgian Prosecutor-General Djamlet Babilashvili reports that his office has uncovered evidence of corruption and embezzlement among the leadership of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic. Specifically, Batumi Mayor Aslan Smirba is accused of stealing $120,000 in funds belonging to the Georgian merchant fleet and transferring another $250,000 from the merchant fleet's London bank account to Ajarian parliamentary chairman Aslan Abashidze. Ajarian official spokesmen denounce the allegations as politically motivated.
3-4 August: A Georgian delegation led by State Minister Vazha Lordkipanidze meets in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov, Federal Security Service Director Vladimir Putin and a number of other senior Russian officials. The officials review the situation in Abkhazia and discuss the possible extension of the peacekeeping mandate of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In addition, the officials hold negotiations over the status of Russian military bases in Georgia. Lordkipanidze also meets with Abkhazian President Vladislav Ardzinba in Moscow to review the status of the problematic repatriation of the 200,000 ethnic Georgian refugees to their homes in Abkhazia. With the assistance of the Russian government, the Georgian and Abkhazian delegations agree to a new 12-point program for the economic reconstruction of Abkhazia.
4 August: President Eduard Shevardnadze issues a decree announcing that the upcoming parliamentary elections will be held on October 31. Sixty political parties have registered with the Georgian Electoral Commission to participate in the elections. The new 235-seat parliament will consist of 150 deputies to be elected on the basis of party lists and another 85 seats to be determined by single-mandate constituencies.
9 August: Two Russian SU-25 combat aircraft bomb the Georgian village of Zemo Omalo near the Georgian border with Daghestan. A special Russian military commission formed to investigate the incident later concludes that the Russian aircraft responsible for the incident were to attack the Botlikh region of Daghestan and were off course. The Russian defense ministry issues a formal apology to the Shevardnadze government and offers to compensate Tbilisi for the damage from the incident which destroyed several homes and wounded four villagers.
23 August: Georgian Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze meets with Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeev in Moscow to review several defense related issues and the performance of the Russian-led CIS peacekeeping force deployed along the Georgian border with Abkhazia. The defense ministers also discuss the recent demands by members of the Georgian parliament for the closure of two of the four Russian military bases within Georgia. Tevzadze also urges the acceleration of previously agreed upon plans to transfer 45 military buildings and structures used by the Russian military to Georgia control.
26 August: President Shevardnadze approves the proposal by a joint Austrian-Georgian firm to construct an oil terminal in the village of Kulevi, fifteen kilometers north of the Black Sea port of Poti. The proposed terminal, which will have an annual capacity of 5-6 million tons of oil, is being constructed to handle oil from the Caspian Sea region. The project, estimated to cost $70 million, will be financed largely by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
26 August: Foreign Minister Irakli Menagrashvili meets with his Estonian counterpart Toomas Hendrik Ilves to discuss expanding bilateral defense and security cooperation and to sign a treaty on bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The ministers also discuss the future relationship between the Baltic nations and the GUUAM group.
29 August: The Georgian National Security Council approves the extension of the mandate of the Russian-led Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) peacekeeping force deployed along the Georgian-Abkhazian border. The mandate expired at the end of last month and is awaiting formal renewal by the CIS at its next summit. Explaining the mandate's extension, Revaz Adamia, Chairman of the Georgian Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security, states that the withdrawal of the CIS peace-keepers would only lead to a resumption of hostilities in the area. The Georgian government is still seeking a re-deployment of the CIS force in the southern Gali region of Abkhazia and in the southern part of neighboring Ochamchire.
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| Republic of Azerbaijan
Total area:
81,800 sq. km
Slightly smaller than Maine
Bordering states:
Armenia (West) 566 km
Armenia (southwest) 221 km
Georgia 332 km
Iran (south) 432 km
Iran (southwest) 179 km
Russia 284 km
Turkey 9 km
Population:
7.3 million
54% urban
89 persons/sq. km
Ethnic composition: 71% Azerbaijani, 11% Talish, 6% Russian, 4% Lezgi, 3% Daghestani, 3% Kurdish.
The autonomous republic of Nakhichevan (pop. 350,000; 5,500 sq. km) was placed under Azerbaijani administration in 1921. |
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Independence: Azerbaijan established its independence on August 30, 1991.
CIS membership status: Azerbaijan joined the CIS on September 24, 1993.
Constitution: A new constitution was passed by referendum in November 1995.
Elections: Parliamentary elections were held November 1995. Presidential elections were held October 1998.
Diplomatic representation: The United States representative to Azerbaijan is Ambassador Stanley Escudero. The Azerbaijani representative to the United States is Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev. The Azerbaijani representative to the United Nations is Eldar Guliyev.
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| POLITICAL LEADERSHIP:
President Geidar Aliyev Prime Minister Artur Rasizade
Nakhichevan Premier Shamshaddin Khanbabayev Chmn Nat'l Assembly Murtuz Aleskerov
Cabinet Ministers: Health Ali Insanov
Agriculture Irshad Aliyev Information Siruz Tabrizli
Communications Nadir Ahmadov Internal Affairs Ramil Usubov
Culture Polad Bulbuloglu Justice Sudaba Hasanova
Defense Lt. Gen. Safar Abiyev Material Resources Farrux Zeynalov
Economy Namig Nasrullayev National Security Namiq Abbasov
Education Misir Mardanov Social Welfare Ali Nagiyev
Finance Fikret Yusifov Trade Farhad Aliyev
Foreign Affairs Tofik Zulfugarov Youth and Sports Abulfaz Garayev
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MONTHLY CHRONOLOGY
2 August: The governor of the Iranian province bordering Nakhichevan, Yahja Mohammedzde, meets with Azerbaijani President Geidar Aliyev and Parliamentary Chairman Murtuz Aleskerov in Baku to discuss expanding trade along the Iranian border with Nakhichevan.
3 August: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Tofik Zulfugarov summons the Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ali Reza Bikdeli, to receive a formal complaint over Iran's failure to extradite former Azerbaijani Interior Ministry special forces officer Mher Djavadov. Djavadov, who fled Azerbaijan in March 1995 and was reported to be in Iran late last year, is wanted for his part in a military confrontation between his Interior Ministry special unit and Azerbaijani army troops which left many dead and wounded, including Djavadov's brother Rovshan who was also an officer with the Interior Ministry's special forces. Presidential advisor Vafa Guluzade adds that the Iranian failure to act on the outstanding warrant for Djavadov may impede the scheduled visit to Iran of President Geidar Aliyev next month.
3-4 August: Azerbaijani security forces are deployed around the U.S. embassy in Baku for two consecutive days in order to prevent opposition political parties from holding demonstrations to condemn U.S. policies over the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.
5 August: Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov announces that Azerbaijan and Turkey are expected to finalize the four main contracts calling for the construction of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline within the next month. Adding to the already complex debate over the estimated $2.3-$3 billion cost of the pipeline's construction, Armenian first deputy Energy Minister Kalust Galustian announces that if the proposed Baku-Ceyhan pipeline route would transit northern Armenia rather than Georgia, the estimated cost of the pipeline would be reduced by at least $500 million.
12 August: President Aliyev meets with a five-member U.S. Congressional delegation in Baku. The U.S. officials, having also met with officials in Armenian and Nagorno Karabagh, discuss the status of the peace talks over Karabagh and urge President Aliyev to continue meeting the Armenian president for direct talks. President Aliyev calls on the U.S. delegation to reconsider the Congressional ban on direct economic and military aid to Azerbaijan. The ban, stipulated in Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, withholds the U.S. assistance until Azerbaijan lifts its blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.
16-17 August: Local residents of Sadarak in Nakhichevan stage a large demonstration in front of the offices of the local government to protest the Azerbaijani authorities' handling of the investigation into the July 12 clash between customs police and local villagers which left one dead and four wounded. The local residents have launched a series of smaller demonstrations at the government offices throughout the past several weeks and have pressed their demand to meet with Nakhichevan Parliamentary Chairman Vasif Talibov and to urge the firing of the head of the Sadarak customs post.
17 August: A technician working for the independent television station DM-TV, Telman Didirov, is stabbed to death by unknown attackers. The international organization Reporters Sans Frontiers issues a statement calling on Azerbaijani Justice Minister Sudabah Hassanova to launch a complete investigation. Governmental intimidation and censorship, combined with consistent attacks and assaults against the country's opposition and independent journalists, have led many international and human rights groups to denounce the situation in Azerbaijan.
17 August: A new governmental committee is formed to study the issue of and make recommendations for the construction of natural gas pipelines in the region. This new committee will work closely with representatives of the major energy companies investing in the region in order to determine the most feasible and cost effective routes for the pipelines. Azerbaijan is seeking to offset its reliance on the TransCaspian pipeline project by using this new committee to formulate alternative routes for the export of its natural gas produced by the offshore Shah-Deniz field in the Caspian Sea.
18 August: United States Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson meets with President Aliyev, Prime Minister Artur Rasizade and Natik Aliyev the head of the Azerbaijani State Oil Company SOCAR during a visit to Baku. The U.S. official reiterates the U.S. support for the proposed construction of a pipeline from Baku to the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. Special Envoy on Caspian issues, John Wolf, adds that Washington is fostering regional cooperation in the TransCaspian pipeline project, linking Central Asia and the TransCaucasus in an ambitious regional transport plan, pledging that such regional integration is the key for stability and conflict resolution.
22-23 August: Turkish and Azerbaijani delegations meet in Washington with U.S. officials and representatives from the World Bank and other leading international lending institutions to discuss the financing of the proposed construction of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. With the latest minimum cost estimate reaching $2.7 billion, the leading western energy companies engaged in developing the offshore reserves in the Caspian Sea remain firm in opposing the plan as too costly and favor the expansion of the existing pipeline running form Baku to the Georgian Black Sea port of Supsa.
23-24 August: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Tofik Zulfugarov meets with Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagrashvili in Tbilisi to discuss a number of bilateral issues and to review the proposed Georgian role in the selection of a pipeline route for the export of Azerbaijani oil. The two ministers issue a joint statement pledging their two countries' commitment to integrate into European institutions. The possible military deployment of Azerbaijani troops in a peacekeeping operation in Abkhazia is also discussed. There have been recent calls by Georgian parliamentarians for the replacement of Russian peace-keepers with Azerbaijani troops in Abkhazia.
24 August: The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) formally dismisses allegations of complicity in fraud leveled against the Commission's chairman, Djafar Aliyev, by three opposition leaders. The allegations were made by opposition leaders Etibar Mamedov, Nizami Suleimanov, and Ashraf Mekhtiyev, and stem from the results of the October 1998 presidential election. The opposition leaders have long held that the election results were falsified and that the official reelection of President Aliyev to a second term with 76 percent of the vote was based on fraudulent voter ballots and improper counting procedures.
25 August: Azerbaijani journalist Khalid Kazimli is summoned to the National Security Ministry for a formal inquiry into his recent article revealing details of the ongoing internal discussions of the Nagorno Karabagh peace talks. Kazimli's article alleges that internal meetings of the security council discussed the possible formal ceding of some territory to Armenia currently held by Nagorno Karabagh forces. Although refusing to disclose his source, the journalist is warned by the National Security Ministry to refrain from publishing future articles on the subject.
26 August: The leadership of the 23-party opposition Movement for Electoral Reform and Democratic Elections issue a statement applauding the formation of a new nine-member body empowered to collect evidence of electoral misconduct and violations of the election law in preparation for the December 12 municipal elections. The opposition movement adds that there have already been well documented instances of irregularities during the formation of local electoral commissions. The opposition alleges that most of the local electoral commissions recently formed are under the direct control or influence of local government officials and are linked to the local branches of the ruling "Yenni Azerbaijan" party.
27 August: The Movement for Electoral Reform and Democratic Elections issues a statement from all of its 23-member political parties vowing to launch a series of protests and demonstrations in response to President Aliyev's "defeatist policies" over Nagorno Karabagh. The opposition group formally rejected the latest peace plan presented by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) which suggests the formation of a "common state" comprising Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabagh. Some opposition political parties aligned in the movement have already launched their own hunger strikes to protest the recent meeting between President Aliyev and Armenian President Kocharian in Geneva.
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Republic of Nagorno Karabagh
Total area:
4,800 sq. km
Slightly smaller than Delaware
Bordering states:
Azerbaijan
Population:
150,000
31 persons/sq. km
Ethnic composition:
95% Armenian
5% Assyrian, Greek,
Kurdish, other |
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Independence: The Republic of Nagorno Karabagh was established on September 2, 1991 and declared its independence on January 6, 1992.
CIS membership status: Nagorno Karabagh is not a member of the CIS.
Constitution: The Parliament approved a constitution in June 1992.
Elections: Parliamentary elections were held April 30, 1995 for the 33-seat parliament. New Parliamentary elections are scheduled for April. Presidential elections were held September 1997.
Diplomatic Representation: The Nagorno Karabagh representative to Armenia is Garen Mirzoyan. Artak Haroutiounian is the representative of Nagorno Karabagh to the European Community and the European Parliament. Vartan Barseghyan is the Director of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Public Affairs Office in the United States. |
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| POLITICAL LEADERSHIP:
President Arkady Gukasyan Prime Minister Anushevan Danielian
Parliament Chairman Oleg Yessayan
Cabinet Ministers: Education & Science Hamlet Grigorian
Agriculture Armo Tsaturian Finance Spartak Tevosian
Construction Vagharshak Palanjanian Foreign Minister Naira Melkoumian
Culture, Youth Affairs Armen Sarkisian Health Zoya Lazarian
Defense Seyran Ohanian Internal Affairs Bako Sahakian
Economic Reforms Beniamin Babaian Social Welfare Lenston Ghulian
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MONTHLY CHRONOLOGY
2-3 August: President Arkady Gukasyan appoints Major-General Seyran Ohanian as the new defense minister, replacing General Samvel Babayan who now serves as the Commander of the Army. Gukasyan also appoints Bako Sahakian as the new interior minister. Sahakian has previously served as the representative of the Armenian National Security and Interior Ministry in Moscow. In a special ceremony to introduce the new defense minister to the staff and officers of the Karabagh Defense Ministry, President Gukasyan and Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian commend Ohanian for his experience and state that the new separation between the army commander and the defense minister will professionalize and strengthen the Karabagh military. The president also stresses his appreciation for the service of Samvel Babayan, having distinguished himself as defense minister for six years.
7 August: Vartan Barseghyan is appointed, by presidential decree, as the new Director of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Public Affairs Office in the United States. Barseghyan, who replaces Tevan Poghosyan, arrived in the U.S. only a few days prior and will begin his duties as representative immediately.
10 August: President Gukasyan meets with a delegation of five U.S. Members of Congress in Stepanakert. The U.S. Congressional delegation announce their intention to call on Azerbaijani President Geidar Aliyev to enter into direct talks with the democratically elected Nagorno Karabagh leadership in order to accelerate the ongoing mediation effort aimed at achieving a negotiated solution to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. Nagorno Karabagh Prime Minister Anushevan Danielian expresses his government's appreciation for the direct humanitarian aid provided to Karabagh by the United States and adds that Karabagh is now seeking "mutually beneficial economic cooperation" and stresses that Karabagh has fostered "a beneficial climate for foreign investment."
11 August: Recently appointed Nagorno Karabagh Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian announces that his appointment formally marks the end of the government's internal crisis and stresses that his appointment was welcomed by his predecessor, Samvel Babayan.
13-14 August: President Arkady Gukasyan convenes the first official session of his new cabinet in Stepanakert. The few remaining open ministerial positions of new Prime Minister Anushevan Danielian's government were filled over the past few days.
15 August: Janna Galstyan is appointed to the position of presidential adviser. Galstyan distinguished herself in combat during the conflict with Azerbaijan and is regarded throughout Nagorno Karabagh as a national hero.
16 August: The leadership of the Nagorno Karabagh branch of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) publishes the first issue of its new Karabagh newspaper, "Kirs." The newspaper, edited by Karabagh ARF leader, Varoujan Pamboukdjian, covers the recent internal changes in the Karabagh government and other political analyses in its first issue.
17 August: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian meets with Nagorno Karabagh President Gukasyan in Stepanakert to review plans for the upcoming conference on relations between Armenia and its diaspora. The conference, to be held under the auspices of the foreign ministry, is to examine the many issues of concern to the large Armenian diaspora throughout the world.
17 August: In line with the earlier cabinet reshuffling, Nagorno Karabagh President Gukasyan issues a presidential decree dismissing Samvel Babayan, Jirair Poghosyan and Robert Shaferian from their positions on the Karabagh National Security Council. The president appoints Prime Minister Anushevan Danielian, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, Interior Minister Bako Sahakian and the head of the State Department of National Security, David Ohanian, to the council.
17 August: Nagorno Karabagh Foreign Minister Naira Melkoumian meets with Andrzej Kasprczik, the permanent representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office. The foreign minister reviews the situation in the region and discusses the planned visit to Karabagh by an OSCE delegation next month. The OSCE current chairman-in-office is Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollabaek.
24 August: Armenian President Robert Kocharian meets with President Gukasyan in Yerevan to provide a detailed briefing of the recent meeting between Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Aliyev. The two leaders declare their common desire to strengthen the cease-fire in effect in the region and to resume the stalled peace talks being coordinated by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
24 August: Meeting in Stepanakert with Prime Minister Danielian, the Yerevan-based representative of the AIRSYS ATM company, Lilit Mkrtichian, conveys the interest of the French Thompson CSF firm in the possible reconstruction of the Stepanakert airport. According to Mkrtichian, the French state-owned Thompson firm is particularly interested in establishing a presence in Karabagh in coordination with its other investments in Russia and Central Asia. The Stepanakert airport has been plagued with conflict-related defects and damage for several years and the last passenger aircraft to attempt a landing was shot down by Azerbaijani forces several years ago.
26 August: Foreign Minister Melkoumian meets with a visiting delegation from Christian Solidarity International led by Baroness Caroline Cox, the deputy speaker of the British House of Lords. Lady Cox, a long time supporter of the people of Nagorno Karabagh, reviews the humanitarian situation in the republic and pledges to continue her support for the reconstruction of Karabagh.
27 August: Prime Minister Danielian presides over a cabinet meeting to review several economic and financial proposals for the later presentation to the Karabagh parliament. Finance Minister Spartak Tevosian reports that a decision is made to implement tighter restrictions on the use of state property and introduce a new program offering short-term credit to Karabagh's state-run "joint-stock" companies. The cabinet meeting also abolishes the Karabagh customs department and replaces it with a new body to be under the direct control of the Karabagh State Tax Department.
30 August: The United States Department of State announces the appointment of Carey Cavanaugh as the new U.S. special negotiator for the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. The special negotiator serves as the official U.S. representative to the so-called Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a special working group chaired by Russia, France and the United States and specifically empowered to mediate the Karabagh conflict. Cavanaugh, currently serving as the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Bern, is to assume the position immediately and replaces outgoing official Donald Keyser.
The source for the POLITICAL LEADERSHIP in the Caucasus profiles is the:
Armenian Embassy, U.S. Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce,
Nagorno Karabagh Republic Public Affairs Office, State Department - Georgia Desk
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For
additional information, contact the:
Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street, N.W., Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
phone (202) 775-1918 ** fax (202) 775-5648
E-mail: anca@anca.org
Internet: http://www.anca.org/
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