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BAKU: The 'NKR' will hold a population census in 2005

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  • BAKU: The 'NKR' will hold a population census in 2005

    The 'NKR' will hold a population census in 2005

    Ekho, Baku
    20 Nov 04

    By E. Alakbarov


    The government of the unrecognized "Nagornyy Karabakh Republic" [NKR]
    (quotation marks inserted by us here and throughout - author) has
    decided to conduct a population census in 2005 (RIA
    Novosti). According to the national statistics service of the "NKR",
    as of 1 October 2004 the population of Nagornyy Karabakh was 146,592
    people. The last population census in the "NKR" was carried out in
    1989.

    The State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan has told Ekho that
    according to the last census, the "NKR" population was 120,000
    people. The source said that the Karabakh separatists had distorted
    the real figures.

    "The indicated figure has been deliberately blown out of
    proportion. The figures suggest that about 20,000 people have moved to
    Karabakh over the last five years. It is hard to believe that the
    'NKR', an economically backward region, is being settled
    voluntarily. The indicated figures are most likely to be wide of the
    mark," the source at the State Statistical Committee said.

    While commenting to Ekho on the separatists' intention to conduct a
    population census in 2005, the head of the Azerbaijani Foreign
    Ministry's press service, Matin Mirza, said Azerbaijan was against the
    artificial settlement of the Azerbaijani region. A population census
    cannot be held in Nagornyy Karabakh as long as the Karabakh conflict
    remains unresolved. He said the separatists are flouting international
    law and the principles of the Geneva convention. The head of the press
    service added that this was why Azerbaijan had insisted that the issue
    of the situation in Nagornyy Karabakh be included in the agenda of the
    UN General Assembly session.

    Military expert Uzeyir Cafarov, who visited the occupied Nagornyy
    Karabakh several years ago, has told Ekho that the Karabakh population
    figures are not accurate. He said the Karabakh population had sharply
    fallen as compared to the pre-conflict period.

    "The current figure is several times lower than that. The Armenians
    understand very well that the cease-fire will end sooner or later, and
    therefore, they are trying to leave. Those remaining in the 'NKR' live
    in ramshackle and slightly refurbished houses and buildings. I didn't
    see any densely-populated areas," Cafarov said.

    He believes that by making such statements the Karabakh separatists
    are trying to create the impression that people are moving to the
    region. In this way, they want to "fish" assistance out of
    international humanitarian organizations.

    "If the Armenians show the real figures, the humanitarian assistance
    will be reduced," the expert said.
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