Maps of the Geographer’s Office of the U.S. Department of State
Illustrating the Arbitrary Alteration of the Borders of Armenian Autonomy Without Its Consent
No. 709 Official Maps Published in the USSR Illustrating the Arbitrary Alteration of the Borders of Armenian Autonomy Without Its Consent
No. 710
Appeal of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Armenia, G. Arutinov, to J. Stalin On the Submission by the Central Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars of Armenia to the Central Committee of the CPSU(b) and the Government of the USSR of the Question of Including Nagorno-Karabakh Within the Armenian SSR
November 1945
To Comrade Joseph Vissarionovich,
The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, adjoining the territory of Armenia, has been part of the Azerbaijan SSR since 1923. The population of this region is predominantly Armenian: of 153,000 inhabitants, 137,000 are Armenian.
The agriculture of Nagorno-Karabakh is similar to that of the mountainous part of Armenia. The incorporation of Nagorno-Karabakh into Armenia would greatly contribute to its development and improve the management of its economy. The cultural and political services provided to the population in their native language would be strengthened under the leadership of the republican organs of Armenia.
Inclusion of the Nagorno-Karabakh region into Armenia would allow local cadres to continue higher education in their native language at Armenian universities. Conversely, the Armenian SSR would benefit from national cadres from Nagorno-Karabakh, distinguished by their diligence, who at present cannot be fully utilized in Azerbaijan.
Proceeding from the wishes of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Central Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars of Armenia submit for consideration by the Central Committee of the CPSU(b) and the Union Government the question of including the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region of the Azerbaijan SSR into the Armenian SSR as the Karabakh Region.
If this question is resolved positively, the Central Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars of Armenia will petition the Government to restore the former center of Karabakh, the city of Shushi, which was destroyed prior to the establishment of Soviet power.
No. 711
From the Letter of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the Council of Ministers of Armenia to the Central Committee of the CPSU Regarding Nagorno-Karabakh and Nakhichevan
September 30, 1966
The transfer of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia would eliminate the abnormality of the current situation: the always small Armenian people, within the conditions of the Soviet Union, possesses two statehoods – one Union Armenian Republic and one adjacent autonomous national region, but within another Union Republic.
On the basis of the above, we consider it extremely necessary to examine the questions connected with the return of Nakhichevan and Nagorno-Karabakh to the Armenian SSR.
Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia A. Kochinyan
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR B. Muradyan
No. 712
From the Memorandum of the Chairman of the KGB of Azerbaijan, G. Aliyev, to the Party Control Committee under the Central Committee of the CPSU On “Nationalist Elements” Seeking the Secession of the Nagorno-Karabakh Region from the Azerbaijan SSR and Its Annexation to Armenia
April 1969
“Manifestations of a nationalist character are taking place in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region. In recent years, nationalist elements residing in this region, as well as certain inhabitants of the Armenian SSR, have attempted to incite among the population tendencies toward secession from Azerbaijan and annexation to Armenia.
A certain part of the youth, including members of the Komsomol, has come under the influence of nationalist elements… Nationalist manifestations among the youth of the NKAO also occurred in 1968.”
No. 713
From the Law of the Azerbaijan SSR On the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region
1987
Article 1. In accordance with the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Azerbaijan SSR, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region is part of the Azerbaijan SSR.
Article 2. In accordance with the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Azerbaijan SSR, the legal status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region is determined by this Law and other acts of legislation of the USSR and the Azerbaijan SSR.
Article 3. The territory of the autonomous region may not be altered without the consent of the Council of People’s Deputies of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region.
Article 4. In accordance with Article 110 of the Constitution of the USSR, five deputies are elected from the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region to the Council of Nationalities of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
Article 5. Citizens residing in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region participate in elections to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR, the Council of People’s Deputies of the autonomous region, and other local Councils of People’s Deputies in accordance with the laws of the USSR and the Azerbaijan SSR.
Article 10. In accordance with the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Azerbaijan SSR, the organ of state power in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region is the Council of People’s Deputies of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region.
The basic principles of the organization and activity of the regional Council, its powers, are determined by the Law of the USSR “On the Basic Powers of Regional and Territorial Councils of People’s Deputies, Councils of People’s Deputies of Autonomous Regions and Districts,” and by acts issued in accordance with it, as well as by the legislation of the USSR, this Law, and other acts of the legislation of the Azerbaijan SSR.
Article 65. In accordance with the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Azerbaijan SSR, the Prosecutor of the Nagorno-Karabakh Region is appointed by the Prosecutor of the USSR. 714
Yuri Barsegov “Nagorno-Karabakh in International Law and Global Politics”
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