Angus Reid Global Scan, Canada
April 17 2005

Armenians Review Choices If War Re-starts

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Armenia are willing to
support their country in the event of a new conflict against
Azerbaijan, according to a poll by the Armenian Center for National
and International Studies. 71.9 per cent of respondents say they
would participate in the defence of Nagorno-Karabakh.

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. If a new conflict occurs, 24.8 per cent of
respondents would take part in military actions.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
established the Minsk Group to seek a peaceful resolution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. The group is currently co-chaired by
Russia’s Yuriy Merzlyakov, Steven Mann of the United States and
France’s Bernard Fassier.

On Apr. 15, Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian and Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov met separately with the Minsk Group’s
co-chairs in Britain. Before the talks took place, the co-chairs
issued a joint statement, urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop
“jeopardizing the cease-fire.”

Current Armenian president Robert 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

In the event of a new war, are you ready to participate to your
utmost in the defence of Nagorno-Karabakh?

Yes
71.9%

No
15.6%

Difficult to answer
11.7%

Refused to answer
0.8%

In the event of a new war…
(Two answers allowed)

I will take part in military actions
24.8%

I will make material and financial contribution
25.5%

I will do other work supporting the war effort
41.8%

I will not do anything
7.9%

I will leave Armenia
6.6%

I will demand president’s resignation /
I will bring up patriotism in the young generation
0.4%

Difficult to answer
17.3%

Refused to answer
1.2%

Source: Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS)
Methodology: Interviews with 1,900 Armenian adults, conducted in
April 2005. No margin of error was provided.