The Associated Press
January 20, 1990, Saturday
Chronology of Events in Azerbaijan, Armenia
International News
MOSCOW
Here is a chronology of the unrest between Azerbaijanis and Armenians in the Soviet Caucasus:
Feb. 28, 1988 – Demonstrations by Armenians demanding Azerbaijan cede control of the mostly Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh region causes rioting in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, that kills 26 Armenians and six Azerbaijanis. Soviet troops help quell the clashes, said to be the most serious outbreak of nationalist unrest in the Soviet Union since the 1920s.
May 21 – Communist Party leaders of both republics are dismissed after protests in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, and Baku, the Azerbaijani capital.
July 4 – Armenian nationalists close the main airport in Yerevan, and widespread strikes are reported in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
July 18 – The Soviet government rejects a decision by Nagorno-Karabakh to break away from Azerbaijan.
Sept. 21 – Further turmoil prompts Moscow to declare a state of emergency in Nagorno-Karabakh. Soviet troops are deployed around government buildings in Armenia, where demonstrations and strikes continue.
Nov. 24 – The Soviet military takes control of Baku and Yerevan after several days of clashes that leave at least 28 people dead, including three soldiers, and 126 wounded. Officials say 100,000 refugees have fled the two republics because of the unrest.
Dec. 7 – A major earthquake hits Armenia, killing about 25,000 people.
Jan. 12, 1989 – The Soviet government puts Nagorno-Karabakh under the direct rule of Moscow.
June – Strikes and demonstrations continue.
Aug. 29 – Soviet troop reinforcements are sent to Nagorno-Karabakh after renewed fighting between Armenians and Azerbaijanis.
Sep. 25 – President Mikhail S. Gorbachev calls on leaders of both republics to negotiate an end to an Azerbaijani rail blockade that has halted supplies for earthquake reconstruction.
Nov. 28 – The Supreme Soviet restores Azerbaijan's control over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Dec. 1 – The Armenian Parliament condemns Moscow's restoration of Azerbaijani control over Nagorno-Karabakh and votes to unite with the territory. The nationalist Azerbaijani Popular Front reimposes the rail blockade against Armenia.
Jan. 1, 1990 – Soviet Azerbaijanis seeking freer travel to visit their ethnic brethren in neighboring Iran attack border posts, causing damage and at least one death, according to Soviet media reports.
Jan. 14 – A demonstration in Baku causes rampages by gangs of Azerbaijani nationalists on Armenians living in the city. At least 25 people are reported killed. Clashes break out in other areas.
Jan. 15 – The Soviet Union declares a state of emergency in parts of Azerbaijan and orders army, navy and KGB security forces to help contain the fighting.
Jan. 16 – The Soviet government sends 11,000 army and internal police troops to Azerbaijan. The government puts the death toll at 56 in three days of fighting.
Jan. 17 – Roadblocks in Azerbaijan prevent the Soviet troops from moving freely, hindering their deployment. Reports reaching Moscow indicate Armenians and Azerbaijanis have seized heavy weapons, with some reports calling the violence a virtual civil war.
Jan. 19 – Gorbachev blames the unrest on extremists trying to undermine his reform proposals and also says some nationalist Azerbaijanis want to sececde to form a Moslem state. A government statement warns of a national catastrophe if the unrest continues. In the face of widespread public protest, the government suspends the Defense Ministry's callup of reservists to beef up military units. Soviet reports say weapons have been brought in from Iran by the demonstrating Azerbaijani nationalists.
Jan. 20 – Soviet troops use tanks to break through barricades and enter Baku, exchanging gunfire with Azerbaijani nationalists. Initial reports indicate scores of additional deaths.
