KASHATAGH REGION IS BECOMING EMPTY
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[01:24 pm] 09 November, 2006
We would like to draw your attention to a recent series of reports
that have appeared in both the Armenian and Diasporan press focusing
on the worsening socio-economic situation in the Kashatagh region. As
a result, Armenians are leaving this vitally strategic area in
increasing numbers.
When the Karabagh war ended, Armenians the world over heaved a
collective sigh of relief and jubilation.
After years of struggle and much sacrifice, Artsakh was once again
delivered into the hands of its rightful owners. So too had Kashatagh
(Lachin), the lands once artificially separating Armenia from Artsakh,
been liberated.
But Kashatagh needed an influx of Armenians to make the land flourish
once again. Therefore, in 1994, Armenia initiated a much-heralded
policy of repopulating Kashatagh and its environs. Primarily, Armenian
refugees from Azerbaijan and other indigent families from Armenia were
encouraged to move to Kashatagh with promises of generous financial
and material assistance.
Many did heed the call and moved to Kashatagh. Given the fact that
Armenia itself was in dire financial straits at the time, this
initiative was both commendable and noble. According to various
sources, Kashatagh’s repopulation reached a peak of about 20,000 in
the late 1990s.
Today, however, the remaining population has dipped below 10,000. Some
say it has reached a low of 7,000.
In the last few years, authorities of the NKR have taken over the
governance of Kashatagh from Armenia, and yet the situation has
continued to deteriorate.
Armenians who initially were encouraged to move there now feel a
sense of neglect and isolation.
Surprisingly, some news reports cite the fact that many local officials
agree that the situation in Kashatagh needs immediate attention. We
fear that if conditions do not improve, we soon might be facing an
area of land devoid of Armenians. No one wants this to happen.
We the undersigned find it troubling that the responsible authorities
in Armenia and Karabakh seem to be indifferent to the unfolding tragedy
in Kashatagh. Therefore, we ask that your respective governments
analyze the situation and take the necessary measures to ameliorate
the conditions faced by the residents of Kashatagh and thus reverse
the present exodus from the region.
We also ask that your governments clarify their positions regarding
the resettlement policy in Kashatagh. Unfortunately, many Armenians
there believe they have been betrayed and are to be used as pawns in
future political negotiations. The Armenians of Kashatagh deserve to
know where they stand.
As Armenians concerned with the plight of our compatriots in
Kashatagh we can no longer remain silent when faced with the inaction,
mismanagement, and dare we say, corruption, that is the hallmark of
many local officials in Kashatagh. "Business as usual" should not be
tolerated and we urge you to take appropriate and quick action.
