Armenia: Unexpected Change in Government (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
May 5, 1998 |
| Report Number |
98-430 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Carol Migdalovitz, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
This report describes the recent change in the Armenian government and its possible
consequences.
President Levon Ter-Petrosyan resigned on February 3, 1998, primarily because of domestic
opposition to his acceptance of an international peace plan to resolve the conflict over Nagorno-
Karabakh with Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Robert Kocharyan assumed power for an interim period
and then won the special presidential election of March 1998. His new government wants to advance
market reforms and change the Constitution to balance power among the branches of government.
Kocharyan rejects the Karabakh peace plan, and has enunciated principles for negotiations that may
complicate resolving the conflict. The United States may need to adjust its policies in the region to
meet new realities. This product will not be updated. CRS Issue Brief IB95024, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests ; and CRS Issue Brief IB92109, Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict are related reports updated regularly.
