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Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. -- The CIA World Factbook: Armenia Area of Armenia: 29,800 sq km slightly smaller than Maryland Population of Armenia: 2,991,360 July 2004 estimate Languages of Armenia: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2% Armenia Capital: Yerevan
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The New York Times, May 11, 1920:THE PERIL OF ARMENIA.Within the last fortnight the Caucasus border by which the British hoped to keep Bolshevism away from Mesopotamia, and make co-operation between Trotzky and the Turkish Nationalists impossible, has been broken down. Azerbaijan and Georgia are now virtually Bolshevist protectorates and in this condition Armenia cannot survive except by capitulation. Two years ago last month Armenians, Georgians and Azerbaijans proclaimed the Federal Republic of the Caucasus--a State which within five weeks had succumbed to the pressure of racial, religious and political rivalries among its component races. It its place arose the Republic of Azerbaijan, controlling Baku and the oil fields; Georgia, in possession of the Black Sea port of Batum; and sandwiched between the two, the Armenian Republic, with its capital at Eriyan, which furnished an insecure refuge for fugitives from Turkish Armenia and offered the hope that it might become the Piedmont of a new and true Armenia. Then followed two years of Russian, German, British and Turkish intrigues and counterplots in the Caucasus. The Germans prevailed in Georgia, Turkish influence was strong in Azerbaijan, until the end of the war. For a time it seemed that the British would succeed to both. But the British in Georgia encountered much opposition; and in Azerbaijan General Dunsterville, the famous original of Kiplikng's Stalky, who had failed in the Summer of 1918 from lack of support, was followed after the armistice by a series of other officers who in their care that the territory did not go back to Russia forgot to make sure of any other sound political organization. It appeared that the British War Office last January was ready to send strong forces to defend the Caucasus against the Bolsheviki, when the policy was suddenly reversed annd Mr. Lloyd George came round to the idea of a reconciliation with the Bolsheviki by "trade with the Co-operatives." Neither trade nor reconciliation has been accomplished, the net result of Mr. Lloyd George's policy seems to have been the loss of the Caucasus. What he would not give up to Denikin he now surrenders to Trotzky. Two weeks ago there was a revolution in Azerbaijan, and the elements which favored Bolshevist Russia came into control. Shortly thereafter a Bolshevist force occupied Baku. At the other end of the Caucasus was Georgia, which was arming against Bolshevism, but obviously with little hope of success, and indeed not with any great enthusiasm. The British occupation of Batum had been supplanted by an interallied occupation, but in no sufficient force. Yesterday's dispatches announced the conclusion of peace between Bolshevist Russia and Georgia. Russia recognizes Georgia's independence and undertakes not to interfere in internal affairs; but all military units--chiefly anti-Bolshevist Russians--which have been fighting Bolshevist Russia must be disarmed and surrendered, and there must be complete amnesty for all Bolshevist planners in Georiga. Obviously, this is independence only in name. On Saturday and Amerian cruiser left Batum, taking out a party of American relief workers; evidently those on the spot regard the Caucasus as lost. With the enemy on both sides, and another enemy, the Turk, in front; with connection soon to be established through Georgia between Mustapha Kemal and the Red armies, there is nothing left for Armenia but to make such terms as are possible, while the Great Powers go through elaborate means to assure each other that their hands are clean. So ends one chapter of Near Eastern history; the chapter that is to come may bring the gravest changes in what we have sometimes hastily called "the Turkish settlement." |
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