Today in Nagorno-Karabakh
Today in Nagorno-Karabakh
Original Source: Pravda, 10 June 1988.
Recently the flow of letters to the editor requesting information about what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh has increased significantly. Readers ask whether the situation there is normalizing. It would seem that not long ago almost all the central newspapers were vying to report the events of February in Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of the Azerbaijan SSR. The events were also covered by central television. Then there was much talk and discussion, but now passions seem to have subsided and mention of the region in the press is less and less frequent.
At the same time tension has not subsided in the oblast. Today the majority of industrial enterprises, institutions, and public transport are not working in Stepanakert and the radon centers Martuni, Mardakert, and Askeran. Almost all public food outlets and shops are closed and the sales of foodstuffs are very limited--money to buy food cannot be drawn, and economic and other links with Baku are disrupted. The strike--unusual and unexpected as this word may sound to us!--is in its third week. The Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh is demanding in an ultimatum consideration without delay of the question of the possibility separating from Azerbaijan and its uniting with Armenia. Every morning tens of thousands of people march in columns along the streets leading to the city center carrying slogans and banners. Rallies are being held. The meaning is always -the same: "Hold out to the end." At night lights burn alarmingly in specially built huts in the streets and alleys, where the so-called "self-defense posts" are set up. Small detachments watch unblinking until the morning, believing they are guaranteeing the security and tranquility of their families.
From whom are they protecting themselves? The answer is unequivocal: "From the Azerbaijanis." And although there are no attacks, and although there already is somebody, so to say, whose duty it is to guard the tranquillity and sleep of the residents, the volunteer "watchmen" peer into the dark, suspiciously studying every chance passer-by. These posts not only do not provide peace of mind, but on the contrary, are sources of conflict. Several clashes have already occurred here. The present spiritual condition of the oblast's inhabitants and the oppressive moral atmosphere took several months to develop.
Almost everyday something has either really happened in the oblast or people have imagined that it has. These events, surrounded by rumors and fabrications, have taken hold of people's minds and feelings, disrupting the normal rhythm of life. In March and April the psychological climate in Nagorno-Karabakh was influenced by the stories of Armenians who had left Sumgait. Truth alternated with invention.
The tragedy that had occurred grew over with horrifying details that had no relation to reality. After the May Day demonstration became in fact a "demonstration of union," there was a demonstration of Armenians protesting the appointment of an Azerbaijani as oblast deputy prosecutor. Then there followed reciprocal firings in Stepanakert and Shusha, as Pravda has already reported. At the same time illegal acts were committed which intended to complicate the situation. On 14-15 May, A. Mamedov and A. Gasanov, inhabitants of the oblast center, fled to Shusha after being beaten up, and consequently a rally was held in the city square. At the rally the Azerbaijani section of the population condemned the events in Stepanakert and categorically opposed a territorial reorganization.
Similar statements were also made at rallies in Baku. Following the Azerbaijan Communist Party Central Committee Plenum on 23 May, a strike began which continues to this day. Farm work is being done. Despite the appeals of certain persons for dairies and bakeries to stop work, these enterprises are operating. The oblast party organs are not in control of the existing situation. There has neen no response to the appeals of the Oblast Committee of the Communist Party ot Azerbaijan to normalize the situation and return to work. Equally unanswered was a similar request in the oblast newspaper by the well-known Armenian writer Silva Kaputikian. Nevertheless, the rallies and demonstrations which take place are carefully organized and skillfully directed.
There are grounds for asserting that the "Krunk" committee, although dissolved by decree of the republic Supreme Soviet Presidium, continues to operate. Organizers of the mass actions are helping to maintain tensions by playing on the Armenians' national sentiments and their desire to live together with their fellows. The population is tired after many months of agitation. The disturbing situation with food is making their position more difficult.
Despite this, certain people still propose "raising the question even more sharply." According to figures of the Azerbaijan SSR State Statistics Committee, from February through 1 June this year Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast enterprises have underproduced by 25.4 million rubles. This figure continues to grow.
Source: Soviet Multinational State: readings and documents, ed. Martha B. Olcott with Lubomyr Hajda and Anthony Olcott. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 1990.