Trend, Azerbaijan
Sept 11 2009
Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh considers data on number of
Armenian community oversized
Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 11 /Trend News, J.Babayeva/
The Public Association Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh
region of Azerbaijan Republic believes the information on the number
of the Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh does not reflect
reality.
"I do not believe that the number of the Armenian community is more
than Azerbaijani. A while ago, a group of intellectuals paid a visit
to Nagorno-Karabakh. They held meeting and observation there. The
general opinion says that the data on the Armenian population of the
Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh is absolutely far from
reality," Chairman of the Public Association Azerbaijani community of
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan Republic, Bayram Safarov said in
his interview with the official website of the ruling New Azerbaijan
Party (NAP) on Sept. 11.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding
districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in
1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the
U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Safarov said the number of Armenians in Shusha reaches a maximum of
1,000 people. "After the conflict, the majority of Armenians left
Karabakh. If not take into account those who have moved here later,
the number of the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh is not so
high. The standard of living is very low there. The Armenian
leadership has brought many troubles to these people, as well. Because
of the Armenian policy, the many of them were forced to leave for work
abroad," he said.
At present, the number of the Azerbaijani community of
Nagorno-Karabakh tops 65,000 people, said Safarov. "We try to develop
a list of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh and specify
the population. Of course, this is a rather complicated process. For
example, only one population of the Shusha region settled in 59
regions of Azerbaijan. There is the same situation with a list of
residents of the other regions. Despite this, we will try to meet that
challenge," said Safarov.
As to joint living with the Armenians in the event of a peace treaty,
Safarov said that "to live together with the Armenians is our fate."
"Yes, we suffered great losses due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and faced with serious accident. Despite this, living side by side
with the Armenians is our fate, destiny. I think time will put
everything in its place. Ordinary citizens would not support this
war. So stay with our citizens of Armenian origin is possible. Of
course, when the conflict is resolved peacefully, the Azerbaijani laws
will be applied to the region and all citizens will obey them," said
the head of the community.