CHANGE IN THE POPULATION OF THE NKAO

History

(1923–1970)

YearTotal (thous.)Armenians%Azerbaijanis%Russians & others%
1923157.8149.694.87.74.90.50.3
1959130.4110.184.418.013.81.81.4
1970150.3121.180.527.218.11.30.9
1979162.2123.175.937.323.01.30.8

Growth rates:

  • Total: 102.8%
  • Armenians: 82.3%
  • Azerbaijanis: 484%
  • Russians & others: 260%

(Data of the NKAO Statistical Office)

CHANGE IN THE NATIONAL COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION OF THE AZERBAIJAN SSR

(1970–1979)

GroupPopulation (1970, thous.)Population (1979, thous.)Actual growth (1970–1979, thous.)Expected growth (1970–1979, thous.)Difference (thous.)
Azerbaijan SSR (total)5117.16026.5–––
Azerbaijanis3776.84708.8+932.0+899.0+32.8
Russians510.1475.4-34.7+40.8-75.5
Armenians483.5475.5-8.0+74.0-82.0

Nakhichevan ASSR

  • Total: 202.2 → 240.5
  • Azerbaijanis: 189.7 → 230.0 (+40.3 actual vs. +40.1 expected)
  • Russians: 3.9 → 3.8 (-0.1 actual vs. +0.3 expected)
  • Armenians: 5.8 → 3.4 (-2.4 actual vs. +1.0 expected)

Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO)

  • Total: 150.3 → 162.2
  • Azerbaijanis: 121.1 → 123.1 (+2.0 actual vs. +21.2 expected; -19.2 difference)
  • Russians: 27.2 → 37.3 (+10.1 actual vs. +6.5 expected; +3.6 difference)
  • Armenians: 1.3 → 1.3 (no change; expected +0.1; -0.1 difference)

(Source: Results of the All-Union Census of 1970, vol. 4, Moscow, pp. 263–300)

EXCERPTS FROM THE AZERBAIJANI PRESS REPORT

ON A MEETING WITH G. ALIYEV REGARDING THE USE OF PAST PRACTICES OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH FOR SUBVERSIVE PURPOSES IN RESOLVING THE REFUGEE ISSUE June 23, 1997

  • Vagif Sarykishiyev (Mardakert): “Yes. If we compare the figures of population growth at that time, it becomes clear that the natural increase of Azerbaijanis exceeded that of Armenians, while mechanical growth was 4.4 times higher. No other leader paid attention to this matter. Only during your time, in a historically short period, such results were achieved… There was no pressure, only demographic dynamics under control…”
  • Shukür Bashirov (Khojaly): “…Events in Nagorno-Karabakh could have erupted in 1974. But such a genius as you managed to prevent it overnight. I witnessed this. In 1980, in Martuni, two Armenians were taken at night. Later it was said they opposed the state: one was sentenced to nine years, the other to permanent expulsion from Azerbaijan…”
  • Gazanfar Rustamov (Mardakert): “…After your rise to power, all issues were resolved. Armenians sowing discord left Nagorno-Karabakh. In the first year of your leadership, most Armenian villages were in ruins—facts we have preserved. In a village of 150–170 houses, only 40–50 people remained, all elderly. Everyone left. Nagorno-Karabakh was left without Armenians. During your rule, the number of Azerbaijanis increased…”

(“Bakinskii Rabochii,” June 24, 1997. Emphasis added – Yu.B.)

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN G. ALIYEV

ON HIS POLICY OF ALTERING THE DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION OF THE NKAO – REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ARMENIANS AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF AZERBAIJANIS Baku, July 22, 2002

“The Nagorno-Karabakh problem arose in 1988. It is not new. It is a sharp conflict, but it has continued since the beginning of the 20th century… It was not normal even during the Soviet period. Nevertheless, we controlled the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. How?

First, of course, the Soviet system itself allowed it. Second, I speak of the period when I was First Secretary. At that time, I greatly assisted the development of Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, I sought to change its demography.

Nagorno-Karabakh raised the issue of opening an institute, a higher educational establishment. Everyone opposed it. I thought, decided to open it—but on the condition that there be three sectors: Azerbaijani, Russian, and Armenian. We opened it. Azerbaijanis from nearby districts were directed not to Baku, but there. We opened a large shoe factory. In Stepanakert itself there was no workforce. We sent Azerbaijanis from surrounding areas. By these and other measures I strove to ensure that there were more Azerbaijanis in Nagorno-Karabakh, and fewer Armenians. Those who worked there at the time know this. In any case, thanks to my will and other qualities, my word was law for its leadership.”

(“Bakinskii Rabochii,” July 25, 2002, No. 139 (24318). Emphasis added – Yu.B.) 718

Yuri Barsegov “Nagorno-Karabakh in International Law and Global Politics”

Artatsolum

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