Syunik-Zangezur history is an inseparable part of the Armenian people history.

   Syunik is one of the 15 provinces of Mets (Big) Haik /Historical Armenia/ and lies in the north-east of the country; south-east part of Pokr (Small) Caucasus mountainous system.

   Climatic conditions vary. Here are cold high mountainous zones starting from subtropical zone. The country is rich in waters, woods, and minerals. The natural conditions are favourable for agronomy and most of all for animal husbandry development.

    Since ancient times, Syunik has been part of the Armenian State. After the Birth of Christ, since the 4th century, it is mentioned as a separate principality.  

   In 387 Armenia was divided between Rome and Persia, and Syunik passed under the latter's power. In 7th-9th centuries, Syunik is under the power of Arabian Caliphate. After the restoration of Bagratuniner Kingdom State system /885/ Syunik was in it.

   In the end of the 10th century, in 987 Syunik or Kapan Kingdom was formed under the Bagratuniner supreme power; it had 43 fortresses, 48 abbeys (cloisters), 1008 villages and a town.

   Syunik Kingdom reached to its power peak in the second half of the 11th century, and soon had to struggle against the Turk -Seljuks invading from east. In 1170 Turk-Seljuks seized the Baghaberd fortress /Baghaberd had replaced Kapan as capital /, destroyed and ruined the hidden riches including 10 thousand manuscripts. With the fall of Baghaberd fortress Syunik Kingdom was destroyed/destructed.

   In the end of the 12th and in the beginning of the 13th century Armenian- Georgian troops at the head of Zakare and Ivane Zakarians set the territory free from the Turk-Seljuks. Two prince families of Orbelians and Proshians were founded in Syunik.

   However, in east one conqueror was changing the other.  Soon the Mongols /13th-14th centuries/ and later the Turkmen Karakoianlu and Akkoianlu tribes appeared on the stage.

   In 16th-17th centuries Turkey and Persia waged a long and ruinous war to dominate the Near East. Armenia became a historic stage. In 1639 according to the contract of Kasre - Shirini, signed by the two countries, Syunik as part of East Armenia passed to Persia. During the Persian rule Armenians were at the danger of physical extermination (annihilation) and merging. It caused to the beginning of liberation struggle in the country, and people were seeking ways to get rid of the Persian yoke.

   In 1699 a secret meeting was called in Sisian, Angeghakot village, where the prominent figure of Armenian liberation movement Israel Ori was authorised to leave for Europe and deal with liberation problems of Armenia.

   Ori left for Germany; Duseldorf to Prince of Henry-William with his liberation plan of Armenia. However, as the international situation was changed, the question was out of agenda, and Ori had to apply to Russia. In 1701 he negotiated with Peter the First and submitted his new liberation plan of Armenia. In 1722 Russian troops were moving to Transcaucasia along the shores of Caspian Sea. It caused a liberation struggle in Syunik. David Bek was at the head of the rebellion; he liberated the South Syunik from the Persian yoke and based an independent power. David Bek had to wage war against Osmanian Turkey military forces and had a few victories. Anyhow, after his death the movement failed.       

   Soon Syunik goes again under the Persian power, and its territory is divided and involved in different administrative units. The main part of Syunik was given a new name Zangezur and it formed a part of Karabagh Khanate /the fact was later used by Azerbaijani historians and authorities, who first tried to present Karabagh Khanate as an Azerbaijani state unit and hence as if Karabagh and Zangezur are Azerbaijani territories/.

   The intentions of Russia concerning the geographical- political events grew stronger in the beginning of the 19^th century. In 1804-1813 Russian-Armenian war took place. Russia aimed to occupy Transcaucasus and settle down here. The Russian army failed during the seizure of Yerevan but had successful military operations on other territories, particularly in Karabagh. On May 14, 1805 at the bank of the Qjurukchai River under solemn conditions a treaty on Karabagh Khanate excepting Russia's obedience was signed between Russians and the Karabagh khan. According to the treaty Zangezur (Kapan, Sisian, Goris districts) together with Karabagh passed under the Russian power. Yet the military operations went on. The Persian army had new military failure: because of defeats in the battle of Lenkoran and Meghry the Persian Shah had to cry barley from Russians.

   On October 12, 1813 a treaty between Russia and Persia was signed in Karabagh, Gjulistan settlement, by which some Transcaucasus territories including the great part of Syunik passed to Russia.

   After the new Russian-Persian war in 1826-28 with Turkmenchai treaty the whole Syunik and Eastern Armenia /Nakhichevan, Yerevan, Sevan, etc./ were joined to Russia. With the treaty a great number of Armenians for the first time got chance to return to motherland. A considerable number of Armenian immigrants resettled in Meghry, Kapan, Ordubad, Zangezur, Karabagh and Eastern Armenia. The immigrants were not paying taxes for 6 years and were free of province obligations for 3 years. Although Russia was a monarchy however the result was after Eastern Armenia joined Russia it had positive influence in the spiritual-cultural and economic development of Armenians. In 1828 on the territories of Nakhichevan and Yerevan khanates the Armenian Marz was formed which existed for 12 years.

   The Russian Government was carrying out colonial and russificational policy towards the further parts including Eastern Armenia. Bazarchai and Borisovka villages inhabited with Russians were founded in the areas of Aangeghakot and some other villages (having insufficient land). Though to all the efforts the Russian Government could not manage to settle massive migration of Russians in Eastern Armenia and to make it pillar of czarism.

   Under the Russian power Syunik was subjected to administrative divisions. In 1830s the Western regions of Syunik made part of Armenian Marz /the former Yerevan and Nakhichevan khanates/, and the Eastern regions made part of Karabagh Province. In the end of the 19th century in the result of new administrative divisions the Eastern regions of Syunik passed to Elizavetpol Province, and the Western regions to Yerevan Province.  In the result of these administrative changes the borders of Zangezur reached in the west to Daralagjaz and Nakhichevan, and in the east to Caryagin province and Karabagh. In 1916 Zangezur Province had 6743-sq. verst land area and 226898 inhabitants.

   For a long time being under the Persian power Syunik - Zangezur had become countryside with lagging provincial economy. The Armenian principalities were weakened and nearly stayed out on the eve of the Russian power. The Turk- Tatarian elements had penetrated and were dominating in Syunik.

   After joining Russia the Eastern Armenia was involved in all-Russia economy. The tsarist government started to pay special attention to Zangezur copper-mines. The first copper melting plants were built in the areas of Meghry and Kapan. Local Armenians as well as Greeks, Persians, Russian and Turks were working here.

   The rich copper mines were attracting inner and foreign capital /German, the USA/ to Zangezur. Though the copper mining industry became lively with penetration of the French capital. In 1897 A. Melik-Azarian, a rather wealthy man, built the big copper melting plant, called “Syunik”, with new French technology. In 1900 about 39.000 poods copper was melted in this plant, while other 14 plants -14.000 poods.

   Though the general social and economic situation of the population was in hard state: a lot of people had to find job out of the country and they mainly left for Baku, Batumi, Tbilisi, Russia, partly abroad.

   The rise of economy and social life in the 2^nd  half of the 19^th  century was associated with the increase of national self-conscious. The first political organisations were founded in Armenian reality in 1885-1890 the aim of which was liberation of Armenia from Turkish and Russian power and establishment of United Independent State. The most organised and massive party was Armenian Revolutionary Dashnaktutiun, which would have an important role in the beginning of the 20^th century in Armenian reality, particularly in Zangezur.

   In the beginning of the 20^th century the workers’ movements became rather active in Russia, and soon in 1905-1907 turned to a revolution. The revolution repercussions reached to Zangezur too. The working class and the peasantry of the countryside started a struggle against tsarism. The authorities realised that solidarity of subordinate (slave) peoples could be serious threat for tsarism. Hence they provoked religious and national hostility against peoples trying to keep people’s crowds away from anti-monarchy speeches. This kind of policy was more cruelly used in Transcaucasian, where a collision between Armenian and Tartar (Azerbaijani) peoples took place. Conflicts that have started in Baku were spread through the whole Transcaucasian including Zangezur. Getting support of tsarist authorities and being stimulated by Turk- Tartar beks the retrograde masses began attacks (aggressions) on Armenian settlements. Collisions took place in Zangezur without exception in Goris, Kapan, Sisian, and Meghry areas. Tartars were using special fighting strategy: they blockaded roads, forbid traffic and food replacement. They aimed at isolating Armenians and condemning them to famine, hence making the fulfilment of their tyranny easier. Zangezur had its peculiarities concerning the location of population; Armenians and Azerbaijanis were not living united but scattered in small villages and village groups. The massacres and shambles were not so big and brutal in 8 provinces of Elizavetpol as in Zangezur.

   A whole year round collisions took place without breaks; hundreds people died, settlements were destroyed and emptied, both sides suffered equally. The biggest disaster took place in Minkend settlement of Goris district. The village was surrounded with Turkish settlements, and having the presentiment of danger the inhabitants tried to leave the village. Though the governor was against that and caused obstacles. On August 19, the Turks attacked the village and destroyed it completely. From 700 inhabitants only few people managed to survive. After these incidents the village was not reconstructed and later was populated by Turks.

   Collisions took place in other villages of Goris, Khoznavar, Khnatsakh, Berdadzor, Tatev, Khot. In Sisian collisions took place in Nakhichevan border villages.

   In 1905-1906 the inhabitants of Darbas and Gharakilisa villages greatly suffered from Turkish attacks. Turk azeris did not attack only two villages of Kapan district.   In 1905-1906 brutal collisions took place in Agarak, Eghvard, Ujhanis, Moghes villages and also in Kapan and its neighbouring settlements (Ghatar, Kiarkhana). In Transcaucasian and also in Zangezur the authorities were only observing and sometimes they caused massacres themselves and scarcely interfered to prevent wholesale slaughters.

   In the result of Armenian – Tartarian collisions both sides suffered a lot: thousands of people died, the settlements were destroyed and robbed, agriculture was damaged, the mines were closed, and copper industry was not operated. A lot of people left their home places and took the way of migration.

   In 1910s economy in Russia began to develop. It had its positive influence on remote parts of the country. In 1914 the World War I began, and though the Eastern Armenia stayed apart from the front, its economy fell again in a very short time. The industrial enterprises were particularly closed again in Zangezur, the mines were full of water, and the connection was out of order. The working class was called to army, the taxes increased. Famine and epidemic reigned in the country.

   The World War I intensified the inner political conflicts in Russia. The revolution broke out in February 1917 which subverted the tsarist power: a temporary government was formed.

   The revolution news caused general rapture in Zangezur: revolutionary committees were formed to replace the old powers. The events taking place cut the province off its provincial centre, and different committees in Goris and Mines /Kapan/ were ruling actually. In the beginning of March Karabagh and Zangezur were joined, and a district apart from Gandzak (Elizavetpol) was founded with the district executive committee at the head. Another executive committee was formed in Goris to which main Zangezur /Goris/ and Sisian were subjected. Kapan- Meghry district was under the Mines’ committee rule. The situation in Zangezur was getting worse: on the one hand the material and food state, land conflicts, on the other hand the growing exertion of Armenian and Turkish relations made it necessary to establish a powerful government. On August 15, 1917 the general  Zangezur committee called a meeting with 31 deputies from each state (Armenia, Turkey), that were elected by representatives of Ozakom (special Transcaucasian committee) from 31 village groups. Among Armenian deputies 24 were Dashnaks and 7 - Esers, among Turks 23 deputies were Musavats and 3 - Social Democrats: Mesrop beg Saratikian be elected as the head of the province, Arshavir Shirinian and Khodjaknanskin as committee chairmen. There were conflicts at the committee sessions especially from the side of Musavats, who were trying to seize power. In the result Turks announced the part of Zangezur inhabited with Turks independent and with Djalil beg initiatives formed a separate government called Muhammadan committee.

   In fact Zangezur was divided into two parts. On January 25, 1918 an inner-party council of 18 members was formed in Goris (9 of them from Dashnaks party, and 9 from other parties) to govern the Armenian regions. Though they failed because of financial means. In Spring anarchy became more intense, irrespective of each other local bodies were formed in Sisian, Goris, Kapan and Meghry. They undertook self-protection measures. In the end of May a group of immigrants from Khnus, Sasun and Van (Western Armenia) led by armed troops came to Zangezur where the local people joined them.

   On May 28, 1918 the Republic of Armenia was proclaimed. After few days on June 4, the Turks forced the new government of Armenia to sign the treaty of Batum, a real shameful treaty, according to which about 12 thous. sq. km  area was left to Armenia. The German ambassador Bernsdorf in K. Polis had noticed in irony concerning the treaty, that Turks had left only the lake Sevan for Armenians to swim, but had not left enough place to get dry.

   The more important territories in Zangezur, Karabagh and Nakhichevan became conflict matters between (apple of discord) Armenia and Azerbaijan. Musavat Azerbaijan saw Zangezur as an area of strategic importance, as it was a way-bridge to Turkey. The Armenian Government as a reply to Azerbaijan intentions announced that Zangezur was its inseparable part. Though the Turkish regular forces joining the local Muhammadan groups attacked Zangezur in Nakhichevan –Sisian, Zangezur- Kapan directions. In July the officers' staff of Shushi regiment at the head of Melik Shahnazarian came to Sisian. Zangezur people as they told were willing to form a part of Armenia, and they asked the government for military assistance and financial support. Though there was only moral encouragement from the side of the Prime Minister H. Kadjaznuni. At that time there was no regular army in Zangezur and being cut off the centre the local Armenian population pinning hopes on themselves gave battle to the enemy. On July 17, 1918 at that very fatal moment Andranik Zoravar (the commander in chief) with shock troops and several thousand western Armenian emigrants entered Nakhichevan. Under the Turkish oppression Andranik had to leave Nakhichevan and pass through Kaputdjugh to Zangezur. He was welcomed everywhere with bread and salt. The Kapan National Council at the head of Smbatbek Melik-Stepnaian supported the army and the immigrants with all necessary means. From Kapan Andranik went to Goris, where the central national council was already operating and undertook the self-protection of Zangezur. Sisian-Goris protecting line became firm and serious attacks along the borderline of Nakhichevan were given to the Turks. In August-December throwing away the Turks’ attacks Andranik moved to Karabagh aimed at setting the country free. The main Turk – Musavat forces were completely defeated on the way to Shushi near Zabukh. Yet Andranik could not manage get into Karabagh. In Zabukh he was handed a letter of an English colonel Tomson /the Entente troops leader/ where it was said that the further successes of Andranik would be seen as an act against the allies which would had its negative influence on solving the Armenian problem. Andranik had to return to Zangezur, he stayed here till Spring of 1919 and then left for Edjmiatsin. Again danger was hanging over Zangezur. The English went on encouraging Azerbaijan, and they did everything possible to hand Zangezur, Karabagh and Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan in the favour of Baku oil. With the help of the English the Azerbaijani army entered Karabagh. Khosrovbek Sultanov who simply hated Armenians was appointed governor of Karabagh. Serious steps should be taken. In March 1919 the Armenian Government appointed Arsen Shahnazarian the general commissar of Zangezur. On March 31 a general Zangezur meeting was called in Goris. A Zangezur- Karabagh region council was elected which made every effort to solve the self-protection problems. Commanding officers were appointed in the districts. The state treasury was reopened; there was state control; the hospitals, nursery houses and chemists were reopened; organisation activities were carried out.

   The Region Council rejected the request of the English to adopt the Azerbaijani hegemony, and the following reply was given: “Any attack against Zangezur as part of the Republic of Armenia will meet the resistance of Armenian people in Zangezur”.

   After such a reply the Azerbaijani troops began to centralise along the borders of Zangezur. Before making any serious steps the Azerbaijani part called the Zangezur people to adopt voluntarily the Azerbaijani power. On November 1 the Azerbaijani troops attacked from Zambukh, Kariagin, Nakhichevan, Daralagiaz. The Turks seized Khnatsakh, Baiandur, Cornidzor villages; there was great danger for Goris. On November 6 the Armenians went on counterattack and threw the Turks back.

   On November 20 with the aid of the English a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Governments took place in the result of which they came to an agreement to end up with slaughter. In spite of the agreement the fighting went on, at this time with Zangezur people attacking. In the end of November Kapan people under the leadership of Njdeh freed Okhchichai region, in the beginning of December - Geghvadzor. Zangezur was mainly free of inner enemy.  Being defeated in Goris and Kapan the Turks attacked in directions of Goghtn (Ordubad) and Arevik (Meghry). The seizure of Goghtn and Arevik meant also to open a straight way between Baku and Angora (Ankara). After the treaty of Batumi the Turks rushed in Nakhichevan, and in July - in Goghtn (Agulis). The fighting in Goghtn started on July 25. The Turkish overwhelming armies managed to seize the great parts of villages in Gavarak and kill the main part of population of Agulis village-town. There was fatal situation in Goghtn. By Njdeh’s command additional military forces were sent to Goghtn, and the Turks attacks were thrown away.

   At that time at the head of Njdeh the Armenian forces attacked in the direction of Vorotan and liberated and conquered dozens of villages. The Azerbaijani Government had promised 3 million for the head of Njdeh. The latter managed not only to give counterattack to Turk-Musavat regular armies, but also to clean up completely the land of Zangezur from the last Turk to make it impregnable fortress straightening the south-east of the republic. On April 28, 1920 Soviet Power was founded in Azerbaijan. Soviet Russia considered Kemal Turkey as a centre of revolution struggle in the East thus was trying to stir up world socialist revolution through it in that district. The only point of rest to have link with Turkey could be Soviet Azerbaijan, whereas Azerbaijan-Turkey line could be realised only over Zangezur. Soon after the Soviet Power was founded the Azerbaijan Government required the Armenians to leave Karabagh and Zangezur. The Soviet Azerbaijan was actually carrying out the same policy as the Musavat Azerbaijan. Under the threat of such policy the Eleventh Red Army troops of the Soviet Russia rushed into Karabagh and in June they went to Zangezur. On July 29 the Bolsheviks sent a delegation to the village Tegh in Zangezur and insisted on accepting voluntarily the Bolsheviks’ domination. Being assured that the Zangezur people would not give up a few days later the Red Army troops moved forward from Zambukh, seized and robbed the village Cornidzor. On July 5 the Bolsheviks captured Goris, Sisian up to the west of Bazarchai. After that the Bolsheviks directed their forces against Kapan, though getting counterattack near the village V. Khotanan they retreated. The Russian part submitted ultimatum to Njdeh requiring to let the Red Army pass to Ordubad, Djulfa through Meghry. Meanwhile the oppression on Armenian Government to leave Zangezur was going on. Armenian Government had to agree with Karabagh, Zangezur and Nakhichevan to be announced arguable territories between Azerbaijan and Armenia and to be temporarily seized by the Red Army.

   On August 10, 1920 an agreement between the Republic of Armenia and Russia was signed in Tbilisi. The same day the European countries signed a treaty in Sevres on the United Armenian State. Armenian Government considered this agreement as a temporary occurrence fondly believing that the points in the treaty of Sevres would be fulfilled and that the territories of historical Armenia (about 165.000 sq. km including Nakhichevan, Zangezur and Karabagh) would be returned to the Republic of Armenia. After this agreement Njdeh got the order of the Military Minister of Armenia to leave his troops and pass to Daralagjaz following the armistice of August 9.  Njdeh rejected the Government’s request and the agreement signed on August 10 saying that giving Zangezur to the Reds would mean to lose it once and for all and to be at danger of physical annihilating as it was in Karabagh. In the end of August the Bolsheviks managed to break down the resistance in Kapan and to seize the town. People in Meghry were resisting to the overwhelming majority of Bolsheviks.

   But bigger tragedy was ahead. On September 1 the first congress of eastern people’s started its works in Baku. Nearly 2000 deputies from Moslem countries were taking part in the congress. It was decided that the Republic of Armenia as firm ground of world imperialism being an obstacle for the victory of the world revolution and to make the East soviet should be defeated. Therefore based on the terms of the congress a plan to defeat Armenia by world revolutionary forces was worked out. The plan was sent to Moscow for confirmation. A few days later on September 20,1920 the Turkish Erzrum corpus at the head of K. Karabekir attacked Armenia. The Kemal campaign was escorted with red flags and revolutionary slogans.

   The Bolsheviks’ domination did not lasted for a long time as it was based on lie, tyranny and robbery. On October 10 the fighting forces at the head of Njdeh took back Kapan, and few days later - Sisian. Very soon the rebellion against Bolsheviks turned to a general national struggle and till the end of November the Red Army forces were thrown away from the whole territory of Zangezur. In the end of November a temporary village council consisting of 7 members was elected which till the end of December appeared as supreme body of the Marz. Released from Bolsheviks Zangezur was cut off the world and from Armenia as well. On November 29, 1920 under the oppression of Kemal -Bolshevik forces Armenia became soviet. By the way the Russian army to mislead the Armenian people and political figures was trying to assure that its aim was to save Armenia from Turks and to restore the Armenia borders of 1914.

   On November 29,1920 Armenia was proclaimed Soviet. The Azerbaijan Government (Nariman Narimanov, the secretary of the Revolution Committee of Azerbaijan) announced just a day after that there were no more disputes and hostility between Armenia and Azerbaijan and that the Soviet Azerbaijan ceded Zangezur, Karabagh and Nakhichevan to Armenia. Such decision of Azerbaijan caused a new situation. It seemed that the Armenians should put down arms. Though Njdeh being a prudent and far-seeing figure was not sure enough that the Azerbaijani Part would carry out its promises. That was the reason Njdeh did not want to give up. Karabagh believed the promises and stopped fighting; Nakhichevan remained under the Bolsheviks power, yet Zangezur continued to struggle. Taking into account the fact that Soviet power was founded in Armenia the first congress of general Zangezur was held in Tatev monastery on December 25-27, 1920. The congress decided temporarily to proclaim Zangezur as an independent state until there were political possibilities to join Armenia. The state was called autonomous Syunik, a government was formed, Garegin Njdeh was elected as Sparapet (commander-in-chief). Syunik was divided into 6 districts; main Zangezur, Kapan, Tatev valley, Darbas valley, Genvaz and Sisian. Each district had its executive body within 6 months, its province head and district commissars. The Red Army authorities and Caucasus bureau of Bolshevik party could not reconcile with their shameful defeat in Zangezur and provocation was spread along as if while the “bands” of Njdeh were in Zangezur they could be no confidence to newly formed Soviet Government of Armenia. Armenian Government started to negotiate with Njdeh asking the latter to leave Zangezur of his own free will.

   At that time when negotiations to make Zangezur soviet were taking place a mutiny burst out on February 16, which put an end the yoke of Bolshevik. People of Zangezur became aware of the events taking place in Armenia rather late. To protect its strategic boarders on February 17 Zangezur armed forces seized Daralagjaz where local population welcomed them. Later they joined self-governing Syunik and renamed the country Mountainous Armenia. The mutiny in Yerevan was defeated and on April 2 Soviet power was restored. Under such conditions in the end of April a new congress was held in Mountainous Armenia and it was decided to continue struggle for the independence of Mountainous Armenia until joining Mother Armenia. At that period negotiations between Turkey and Soviet Russia took place in Moscow. There was no guarantee that Russia would protect interests of Armenia. Moreover in the result of the negotiations on March 16 a treaty was signed known in history as the most expansionist and illegal one, when two countries decided upon the territory problem of the third country. Armenia was put on the world revolutionary sacrifice table and Russia gave on tray to “advanced post (outpost)” Turkey the whole western Armenia, the Marz of Kars, and Nakhichevan - to its smallest brother Soviet Azerbaijan.

   Concerning to Nakhichevan there was a protectorate of Russia and Turkey and there was a special point in the treaty never to cede it to a third country (i.e. Armenia). Actually the territories of Armenia were sold by auction and realising the legal flimsiness  and all possible dangers and complications in future on October 13 of the same year in Kars they made the Armenian part to confirm the treaty.

   The treaty signed in Moscow on March 16, 1921 was a serious misgiving for Syunik Government as they saw danger hanging on Nakhichevan. Bolsheviks were trying again to seize Zangezur in peaceful way though negotiations around the matter had not the positive result. Njdeh required firm guarantees for Zangezur to join Soviet Armenia. Negotiating with Soviet Armenian Government and accepting as a guarantee Alexander Miasnikian’s promise that Zangezur would be part of Armenia he left for Persia with his allies on July 10 with his promise to be back again if instead of Yerevan Baku was master in Zangezur. Njdeh’s role in history is obvious. If not his will and determination, belief and courage, his intuition as a politician Zangezur should have the same fate as Nakhichevan and Karabagh. The matter is that on July 5,1921 the Caucasus Bureau of the Russian Communist (Bolsheviks) Party ignoring the historical facts and the desire of a whole country’s population made a self willed decision (under the direct oppression of Stalin) to hand Karabagh to the Soviet Azerbaijan. This is another unprecedented matter in history when a Party Regional Body decides upon handing territories of one country to another. 

   After Zangezur became Soviet the intentions of Azerbaijan authorities concerning the separate settlements and territories of the districts were not ceased. Based on the conclusion of Armenian-Azerbaijan co-operative committee responsible for district debates from the side of state-party bodies as manifestation of “proletariat internationalism” 29 settlements (Gharababa, Djibitili, Ain, Eivazlar, Razdara, Djambar, Ghazanchi, etc.) of Zangezur bordering Azerbaijan and areas for livestock production in 1923-32 were handed to Azerbaijan.

   The tendencies characteristic of republic and union were typical for the further history and development of Zangezur. After the Soviet power was founded the restoration and operation of Zangezur copper-mines had become problem matter in agenda. At that time the former owners of the copper-mines the Greek Kondurovs, French “Caucasus industrial and metallurgic company”, several English entrepreneurs suggested to operate the mines on concession principles. Yet the Soviet Armenian Government rejected their terms suggested. On January 11, 1921 the Soviet Armenian Government nationalised through a decree the country’s resources and enterprises based on them. Soon there was a decree on land nationalisation. After long-term works by own means in November of 1924 the Kapan copper melting plant was re-operated and in 1935 - the mining plant. The economic rise of the district had positive influence on reconstruction of Minchevan-Kapan railway (1932) through which Zangezur was connected to the whole Soviet Union.

   The whole industrial sphere was nationalised; after that it was turned for agriculture: in 1928 the procedure for collectivisation of agricultural households started, and two years later the state party bodies obliged the peasants to be involved in collective farms with their property of working means. The peasants who were against collectivisation were brutally punished: hundreds of people were exiled and executed. Another part of peasantry being not able to tolerate the economic and political oppressions left for Persia.

   In 1930s the violence had generally become the norm of life. The first victims of the tyranny were warriors of Zangezur self-protection, members of Dashnaktutiun, opponents of kolkhoz movement. Meetings of commissars were taking place in Kapan-Goris-Sisian-Meghry regions who were seeking  “spires”, “anti-revolutionists”, “wreckers” or arresting people for slight accusation using torturing methods of Middle Ages extorting people for crimes committed. During the years of Stalin’s domination nearly thousand people from Zangezur were compelled and the most part was executed. A new wave of violence started in 1949. Hundreds of families were exiled from their country to Siberia. As the whole Armenian people so the people of Zangezur took an active part in World War II. In the war against Germany 19064 people from Zangazur were recruited to Soviet army, from which 8732 people died or disappeared in battlefields.

   The after-war period in the beginning of 50s was particularly characterised with considerable increase of economy. In 1951-52 copper molybdenum plants in Kadjaran, Dastakert and in 1963 in Agarak were operated. In 1960-70s a considerable number of new enterprises of light and food industry, machinery, instrument making and other branches were founded, a lot of social and educational-cultural structures were built. Towns and villages prospered.

   Though to the progress and high standard of living some scientist were worried; they thought that the enormous economic system in USSR could not last for a long time and be on the top of increase, sooner or later it would collapse. In 1980s it was obvious that the Soviet Empire was through regression and had exhausted its economic stocks.

   Gorbochov’s economic reforms in the 2^nd half of 80s did not have desirable effect. It became evident that without radical reforms in social-political life of the country it would be impossible to provide the increase of economy. The slogans like “reformation ”, “publicity”, “democracy” appeared. With a strong believe to Communist Party authorities the Armenian people (Armenia, Karabagh) hope that by now it would be possible to change the historical mistake and with the support of Moscow to unite Armenia and Karabagh. The thing is that after handing Karabagh to Azerbaijan (1921) and after the formation of Mountainous Karabagh Autonomous Marz (1924) the problem has been never forgotten in Armenian reality. The question was aroused in 20-30s but whoever tried to talk about the matter was given  “a label” of nationalist with consequences followed. These consequences were harder in severe times of Stalin: arrest, exile, and execution. It is known that the first secretary of Armenian Communist Party Central Committee A. Khandjan after the murder case organised by Beria was accused in trying to unite the Mountainous Karabagh with Armenia.  In 1946 the first secretary of Armenian Communist Party Central Committee G. Haroutunian applied to Stalin asking to unite Mountainous Karabagh Autonomous Marz and Armenia substantiating the necessity of replacement of our nationals from the Diaspora to Armenia. The problem naturally remained unsolved. In 60s dozen thousands signatures of people were collected directed to Soviet Union Central Committee asking to unite the MKAM and Armenia. Again the matter was left out, moreover massive oppressions against Armenian population and especially the intellectuals started when Heydar Aliev became the first secretary of Azerbaijan Central Committee.  In 1977 the Karabagh question was put up during the discussions of new constitutional model of USSR and again without results. The procedure of driving out Armenians out of Azerbaijan had started earlier and had new rising tide especially in 1950-70s.

   The follow up brutal policy carried out by USSR Communist system against Armenian people, the refusal of the Union to solve the Karabagh question, the slaughters taken place in Azerbaijan, the long-term blockades of Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh as well as imprudent activities of the Republic Party authorities in social-economic and social-political fields put an end to the belief and trust of Armenian people toward the Communist Party. In the result on May 20,1990 in elections of Armenian Supreme Council the Armenian Communist Party was defeated by Armenian National Movement. The new elected authorities of Armenia were on their way of establishing national independent state, and on August 23,1990 the historical statement “Declaration of Independence of Armenia” was passed.

   In April-May 1991 the Azerbaijani armed special troops together with Soviet army started oppression against Armenians in Mountainous Karabagh. The situation was strained In Zangezur bordering districts.

   After the collapse of the USSR when the military reserves and ammunition located in Azerbaijan territory were left in the hands of Azerbaijanis the intentions of Azerbaijan part to solve once and for all the Karabagh question in military way became obvious. More over the whole Azerbaijan preaching apparatus was working on uniting two allied states (Azerbaijan and Turkey) to create a great Turanian State and as it was in 1918-20 the only obstacle to solve the problem was Zangezur.

    In January-February of 1992 the bombing of Syunik bordering villages (from Kornidzor to N. Hand) became intense. From April 24 Kapan, the biggest town of the district was bombed as well. The Azerbaijanis managed to own the Kapan-Goris highway and part of Kapan-Tsav road. Actually Kapan and Meghry were in double blockade. In April-December 1992 the situation became hard for population in bordering villages and Kapan (bombed uninterruptedly), Goris, Meghry. The only way out was to throw away the Turkish troops as far as possible. On December 10, 1992 the Syunik voluntary troops occupied the heights of the village Khazachi. In 1993 defeated in Karabagh and Lachin path the Azerbaijanis left also the considerable part of territories in Historical Syunik and Karabagh valley. In January-April of 1994 Azerbaijan part made attempts to reoccupy the territories and without any results agreed to armistice. In fact since these times the new phase of regulating the Karabagh question through negotiations began which had no results.

   Lately the talks around the version of American politician Paul Hobble on regulating the Karabagh question became active, i.e. to solve the conflict it is suggested to change Meghry district with the territories in Lachin connecting Karabagh to Armenia. This version is not accepted on the one hand from the point of view of military strategy (Armenia in fact is cut off the southern road connecting the country to the outer world and is completely dependent on Georgia and benevolence of Turkey) and on the other hand from the historical and moral point of view; it simply turns out to change Armenian territories again with Armenian ones. Since the idea of changing the territory of Meghry with any other one had no essence from the very beginning and is unacceptable as for separate citizens so for all political forces. So it is irrefutable fact that without the political regulation of the Karabagh question it is impossible to imagine the further development of the country and its involvement in the world economic integration procedure. The solution of the problem is conditioned by mutual compromises, which anyhow will not satisfy both parties.