California Courier Online, October 30, 2003
CIA Confirms Armenian Ownership
Of Karabagh and Lands in Turkey
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
The Central Intelligence Agency publishes each year a report called "World Factbook" which contains comprehensive information on the geography, population, government, economy, communications, transportation, and the military of more than 200 countries and territories. The Factbook can also be read on CIA's web site:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/am.html.
Even though no secrets are disclosed in this public document, it is still interesting to see how the CIA presents certain facts and issues regarding Armenia, Karabagh, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. In the chapter on Armenia, the Factbook provides the following "background" information: "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."
It is interesting to note that the CIA devotes more than two-thirds of the "background" information on Armenia to Karabagh, indicating CIA's special attention to that region. By stating that Karabagh was "assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow," the CIA is confirming the Armenian position that Karabagh was historically a part of Armenia. Finally, by referring to the territories surrounding Karabagh -- but not to Karabagh itself -- as "Azerbaijan proper," the CIA reinforces its acknowledgement that Karabagh is not part of Azerbaijan.
Even more interesting is the following paragraph under the title of "disputes": "Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia."
The above paragraph contains three false assertions:
1) Armenia does not occupy 16% of Azerbaijan. Karabagh Armenians (with support from Armenia) liberated themselves from the tyranny of Azerbaijan;
2) the Armenians of Karabagh are not "secessionists." They seek self-determination -- a right recognized by the United Nations; and
3) Contrary to the CIA's assertion (which were also made in the earlier editions of the "World Factbook") Armenian demands for their historic lands from Turkey have not "subsided."
The Treaty of Sevres recognized the territories occupied by Turkey as Armenian lands. The borders of a much larger Armenia were drawn by President Woodrow Wilson. It is comforting that the CIA acknowledges that these territories did belong to Armenia by referring to them as "former Armenian lands in Turkey."
In another CIA document ("Resolving conflicts in the Caucasus and Moldova: perspectives on next steps), a distinguished panel of experts contradicted those who say that time is on Azerbaijan's side in the Karabagh conflict. The panel members made the following very interesting observations: "Some observers see substantial strengths in the Armenian position, since the Armenians occupy the territory and over time their possession may be consolidated in de facto terms. Although Azerbaijan has the economic advantage, economic indicators may not be a deciding factor for at least three reasons:
1) Azerbaijan's relative economic strength is also its vulnerability since the Armenians understand that another war will interfere with petroleum transport, undermine regional investment, and compromise Azerbaijan's economic momentum;
2) Many Armenians have concluded on the basis of their troubled history that they cannot safely reside in territory controlled by Azerbaijan, and they are consequently resolute;
3) Armenians are prepared to sustain high levels of suffering.
The rhetoric of Azeri hard-liners may therefore accomplish little beyond reducing Armenian's capacity for compromise. One of the difficulties in the conflict is that both parties regard time as being on their side. In each case, this is a fallacy. Yet it is difficult for either party to see around a long history of mutual grievance and mistrust."
Armenians should make it clear to the whole world that their demands for their historical lands in Turkey, Karabagh or elsewhere, are as valid as ever, and not "subsiding!"
CIA Confirms Armenian Ownership
Of Karabagh and Lands in Turkey
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
The Central Intelligence Agency publishes each year a report called "World Factbook" which contains comprehensive information on the geography, population, government, economy, communications, transportation, and the military of more than 200 countries and territories. The Factbook can also be read on CIA's web site:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/am.html.
Even though no secrets are disclosed in this public document, it is still interesting to see how the CIA presents certain facts and issues regarding Armenia, Karabagh, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. In the chapter on Armenia, the Factbook provides the following "background" information: "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."
It is interesting to note that the CIA devotes more than two-thirds of the "background" information on Armenia to Karabagh, indicating CIA's special attention to that region. By stating that Karabagh was "assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow," the CIA is confirming the Armenian position that Karabagh was historically a part of Armenia. Finally, by referring to the territories surrounding Karabagh -- but not to Karabagh itself -- as "Azerbaijan proper," the CIA reinforces its acknowledgement that Karabagh is not part of Azerbaijan.
Even more interesting is the following paragraph under the title of "disputes": "Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia."
The above paragraph contains three false assertions:
1) Armenia does not occupy 16% of Azerbaijan. Karabagh Armenians (with support from Armenia) liberated themselves from the tyranny of Azerbaijan;
2) the Armenians of Karabagh are not "secessionists." They seek self-determination -- a right recognized by the United Nations; and
3) Contrary to the CIA's assertion (which were also made in the earlier editions of the "World Factbook") Armenian demands for their historic lands from Turkey have not "subsided."
The Treaty of Sevres recognized the territories occupied by Turkey as Armenian lands. The borders of a much larger Armenia were drawn by President Woodrow Wilson. It is comforting that the CIA acknowledges that these territories did belong to Armenia by referring to them as "former Armenian lands in Turkey."
In another CIA document ("Resolving conflicts in the Caucasus and Moldova: perspectives on next steps), a distinguished panel of experts contradicted those who say that time is on Azerbaijan's side in the Karabagh conflict. The panel members made the following very interesting observations: "Some observers see substantial strengths in the Armenian position, since the Armenians occupy the territory and over time their possession may be consolidated in de facto terms. Although Azerbaijan has the economic advantage, economic indicators may not be a deciding factor for at least three reasons:
1) Azerbaijan's relative economic strength is also its vulnerability since the Armenians understand that another war will interfere with petroleum transport, undermine regional investment, and compromise Azerbaijan's economic momentum;
2) Many Armenians have concluded on the basis of their troubled history that they cannot safely reside in territory controlled by Azerbaijan, and they are consequently resolute;
3) Armenians are prepared to sustain high levels of suffering.
The rhetoric of Azeri hard-liners may therefore accomplish little beyond reducing Armenian's capacity for compromise. One of the difficulties in the conflict is that both parties regard time as being on their side. In each case, this is a fallacy. Yet it is difficult for either party to see around a long history of mutual grievance and mistrust."
Armenians should make it clear to the whole world that their demands for their historical lands in Turkey, Karabagh or elsewhere, are as valid as ever, and not "subsiding!"
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