Centre for Public Opinion and Democracy, Canada
Dec 10 2004

Plans For Nagorno-Karabakh Split Armenians

(ARC-CPOD) Dec. 10, 2004 – Armenians are divided over which political
leader is best positioned to resolve the crisis in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, according to a poll by Vox Populi. 26 per
cent of respondents would choose current president Robert Kocharian,
while 21 per cent would pick former head of state Levon
Ter-Petrossian.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region is controlled by ethnic Armenians – who
consider the area an independent republic – but is claimed by
Azerbaijan as part of its territory. A war broke out in the early
1990s between both nations, ending in an unofficial truce negotiated
by Russia in 1994.

In 1991, Ter-Petrossian became Armenia’s first post-Soviet president.
In February 1998, Ter-Petrossian was forced to resign after several
cabinet members – including Kocharian, who acted as prime minister at
the time – failed to support a peace proposal that called for a gradual
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh question.

In a rare interview conducted last month, Ter-Petrossian criticized
Kocharian, saying his policies on Nagorno-Karabakh have led to “sad
consequences” for Armenia.

Kocharyan was born in Nagorno-Karabakh and once headed its
government. Armenia is the only country that recognizes
Nagorno-Karabakh as a sovereign state.

Polling Data

Who do you think is better placed to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict?

Robert Kocharian
26%

Levon Ter-Petrossian
21%

Neither
29%

Undecided
24%

Source: Vox Populi
Methodology: Interviews to 668 Armenians, conducted in November 2004.
No margin of error was provided.