Number: RS20812
Title: Armenia Update
Authors: Carol Migdalovitz, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: Armenia experienced domestic political turbulence in the 1990s. Since the October 1999 assassinations of the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament, President Robert Kocharian has maneuvered among potential opponents and none appears able to challenge his dominance. International financial institutions have aided the transition from a centrally-planned to a market economy, but political instability and other problems slowed advances. A majority of the population remains poor, prompting high emigration. A cease fire holds in the war with Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, although the peace process has been suspended. Armenia relies on Russia mostly for security and the United States for economic aid. Relations with neighboring Iran are good, but those with Turkey are troubled. Congress has been generous to Armenia.
Pages: 6
Date: September 3, 2004