The ‘NKR’ will hold a population census in 2005

Ekho, Baku
20 Nov 04

By E. Alakbarov

The government of the unrecognized “Nagornyy Karabakh Republic” [NKR]
(quotation marks inserted by us here and throughout – author) has
decided to conduct a population census in 2005 (RIA
Novosti). According to the national statistics service of the “NKR”,
as of 1 October 2004 the population of Nagornyy Karabakh was 146,592
people. The last population census in the “NKR” was carried out in
1989.

The State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan has told Ekho that
according to the last census, the “NKR” population was 120,000
people. The source said that the Karabakh separatists had distorted
the real figures.

“The indicated figure has been deliberately blown out of
proportion. The figures suggest that about 20,000 people have moved to
Karabakh over the last five years. It is hard to believe that the
‘NKR’, an economically backward region, is being settled
voluntarily. The indicated figures are most likely to be wide of the
mark,” the source at the State Statistical Committee said.

While commenting to Ekho on the separatists’ intention to conduct a
population census in 2005, the head of the Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry’s press service, Matin Mirza, said Azerbaijan was against the
artificial settlement of the Azerbaijani region. A population census
cannot be held in Nagornyy Karabakh as long as the Karabakh conflict
remains unresolved. He said the separatists are flouting international
law and the principles of the Geneva convention. The head of the press
service added that this was why Azerbaijan had insisted that the issue
of the situation in Nagornyy Karabakh be included in the agenda of the
UN General Assembly session.

Military expert Uzeyir Cafarov, who visited the occupied Nagornyy
Karabakh several years ago, has told Ekho that the Karabakh population
figures are not accurate. He said the Karabakh population had sharply
fallen as compared to the pre-conflict period.

“The current figure is several times lower than that. The Armenians
understand very well that the cease-fire will end sooner or later, and
therefore, they are trying to leave. Those remaining in the ‘NKR’ live
in ramshackle and slightly refurbished houses and buildings. I didn’t
see any densely-populated areas,” Cafarov said.

He believes that by making such statements the Karabakh separatists
are trying to create the impression that people are moving to the
region. In this way, they want to “fish” assistance out of
international humanitarian organizations.

“If the Armenians show the real figures, the humanitarian assistance
will be reduced,” the expert said.