1988 
January - Petition with 100,000 Karabagh Armenians' signatures sent to Moscow asking for referendum to be held in Karabagh on the status of the region. Gorbachev appoints a special commission. Commission receives 13 delegates from Karabagh and 4 from Moscow. 

February - Zori Balayan, journalist from Soviet Armenia, declares at a Washington D.C. press conference that Glasnost will benefit Armenia. On February 13, demonstrations held in Stepanakert, capital of Karabagh. On February 18, Gorbachev proposes to hold a special Central Committee meeting to discuss Soviet policy toward nationalities within the Soviet Union. Calls for free development of national cultures. On February 19, protest rally held at Yerevan Opera House, in front of Council of Minsters' Building. No intervention by police. On February 20, Soviet of People's Deputies of Karabagh holds special session in Stepanakert; votes to intercede with Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. for the transfer of Mountainons Karabagh from Azerbaijan to Armenia. On February 22, Mr. Razumovsky, representative of U.S.S.R Central Party Central Committee in Stepanakert, states that any attempt to break Karabagh away from Azerbaijan is unnacceptabIe. Thousands of Azerbaijanis march toward Stepanakert, burning buildings on their way. 

On February 22-27, during an entire week, close to a million demonstrators take part in peaceful demonstrations in Yerevan to protest Politburo's decision not to return Karabagh to Armenia. No incidents reported. On February 24, Tass reports that Henrig ["Genrikh"] Pogosyan is named by the regional party committee to replace Boris Kevorkov as party head of Karabagh. On February 25, demonstrations in Paris in support of demonstrations in Yerevan. Alexander Katonsev, Assistant Attorney General of U.S.S.R., denies rumors of massacres of Armenians by Azeris. Authorities in Moscow move to limit flow of information from Azerbaijan and Armenia. Kremlin formally installs Genrikh Pogosyan as Communist Party Chief in Karabagh. Red army troops arrive in Yerevan. Four Armenian deaths reported in Karabagh. 

On February 26, A. Mutalibov, Vice-Premier of Azerbaijan reports to Tass that relations between Armenians and Azeris are tense. Gorbachev calls for calm, reaffirrns friendship between two peoples. Writers Zori Balayan and Sylva Kaputikian meet with Gorbachev to discuss the case of Karabagh. Gorbachev promises to review the problem during the next 30 days and at next meeting of Central Committee. 

Armenians demonstrate in San Francisco, Hollywood, Montreal, Toronto, and New York showing support of Armenian Diaspora in US. and Canada; telegrams of support sent to Gorbachev. Rioting in Sumgait, Azerbaijan; attacks on Armenian individuals, homes, and businesses. Fighting between Armenians and Azeris in Mountainous Karabagh, Tass reports 31 dead. 

March - Gorbachev summons party leaders of Soviet Armenia and Azerbaijan to Moscow, orders "profound and all-round" study of grievances in Karabagh. On March 11, as of this date, Western sources estimate 300 Armenians dead in Azerbaijan as a result of what Azeris call "punitive expeditions"; some Armenian sources accept a much higher number of casualties. On March 14, during a state visit to Yugoslavia, Secretary Gorbachev blames predecessors for situation and asserts he will consider grievances of Armenians. 

July 12 - The Nagorno Karabagh Supreme Soviet takes the decision to secede from Azerbaijan and adopts measures to legally become part of Armenia. 

November -Deportation of 260,000 Armenians from Azerbaijan, and 200,000 Azerbaijanis from Armenia. 

1989
January 12 - A Soviet commission gives N.K.A.O. a special administrative status under direct Moscow rule. 

August - Azerbaijan imposes the first in what becomes a series of blockades of food, fuel and goods bound for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. 

November 28 - The U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet discontinues Karabagh's special status. 

December 2 - The Supreme Soviet of Armenia and the National Council of Karabagh hold a joint session; declare unification of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. 

1990
January - Anti-Armenian riots break out in Baku where 68 Armenians are killed. On January 10, the Supreme Soviet of Armenia includes Karabagh in its state budget. On January 15, the Supreme Soviet of U.S.S.R. declares a state of emergency in Karabagh and sends troops to put down riots in Azerbaijan. Tens of thousands of Armenians are deported from Baku to Armenia. 

August 27 - The Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan declares the Nagorno Karabagh Autonomous District dissolved. 

1991
January 14 - The Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan dissolves the Armenian-populated Shahumian district north of N.K.A.O. 

April-May - With the help of Soviet tanks and helicopters, Armenians in Getashen and Martunashen regions of Azerbaijan are forcibly driven from their homes. The refugees flee to Armenia and Moscow. 

August - The Armenian population of Hadrut in N.K.A.O. is driven out by Soviet and Azeri forces. 

September 2 - The Nagorno Karabagh Regional Council and the Governing Council of the Shahumian District in a joint session proclaim the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh (N.K.R.). 

October - The Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan annuls the autonomous status of N.K.A.O. 

December - Soviet forces begin to withdraw from N.K.R. as an Azeri offensive builds southward as far as Shushi. On December 10, Referendum held in Nagorno Karabagh on independence. 

1992
January - Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (C.S.C.E.) begins conducting negotiations to mediate the conflict. On January 6, Declaration of the independence of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic. On January 18, the Parliament of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh is formed and elects Artur Mkrtchian president, Oleg Yesayan prime minister and, on January 24, Georgy Petrosian vice president. 

February - C.S.C.E. calls on Azerbaijan to end its blockade of Nagorno Karabagh and Armenia. On February 26, Armenians counterattack; Azeri bombing of N.K.R.'s only airport ceases with the taking of Khojalu; Armenians also take the route from Stepanakert to Martakert. 

March 18 - The eastern regions of Martakert fall under Armenian control. 

April 14 - With the death of Artur Mkrtchian, Georgy Petrosian assumes parliamentary presidency and Boris Arushian assumes the vice presidency. 

May 8 - Armenians take Shushi. On May 18, the opening of the Lachin Corridor links Karabagh with Armenia. 

June - Abulfez Elchibey is elected president of Azerbaijan on a platform pledging to cleanse Nagorno Karabagh of Armenians by using whatever force necessary. Beginning of a second major Azeri offensive backed by small numbers of Afghan mujahiddin and Ukrainian and Russian mercenaries results in the occupation of almost half of Karabagh. On June 2, the flag of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh is adopted. 

August 13 - Declaration of state of emergency by N.K.R. 

September - Azerbaijani forces ignore a cease-fire, which was to take effect on September 25, and continue widespread attacks against N.K.R. 

1993
January 21 - The European Parliament passes a resolution characterizing the Azerbaijani blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh as a blatant violation of human rights. 

February - U.N. Security Council unanimously adopts resolution calling for immediate cessation of hostilities, unimpeded access for international humanitarian relief efforts in the region, and the eventual deployment of a C.S.C.E. peacekeeping force to the region. 

March-April - N.K.R. forces take Kelbajar. 

June - Agdam occupied by Armenian forces. Martakert and neighboring strategic areas taken by Armenian forces. 

July-August - Fizuli, Jebrail, Kubatli, Zangelan regions occupied by Armenians. 

August 18 - U.N. Security Council calls for immediate withdrawal of Karabagh Armenian forces from the recently occupied areas of Azerbaijan. It calls on Armenia to use its unique influence to this end. 

October - Armenian forces push to Iranian border, covering a 160 km. area and a railroad. 

December 1 - Azeris almost walk out of C.S.C.E. meeting in Rome and also reject the latest C.S.C.E. cease-fire timetable. On December 18, Azeris launch a major offensive with the aid of Afghan mercenaries. 

1994
January - Armenians retake earlier losses to Azerbaijani counteroffensive. Citing opposition from Turkey's NATO allies, Ankara turns down appeal by Azerbaijan for military aircraft. 

February 18 - With Russian mediation, in Moscow, Armenian, Azeri and Karabagh military representatives sign a document initiating direct negotiations while fighting continues in Kelbajar, Martuni and Martakert. 

April 30 - European Parliament condemns the blockades of Armenia by Turkey and Azerbaijan and calls on Turkey to refrain from actions influencing the course of events in the conflict zone. 

May 12 - Parties to the conflict agree to a cease-fire. 

July 7 - N.K.R. delegates attend C.S.C.E. meeting in Vienna and reject suggestions to station Turkish soldiers as peacekeepers in Karabagh. On July 8, Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrossian calls for reconciliation of the Russian and C.S.C.E. plans for a peaceful resolution of the Karabagh conflict. On July 27, Armenia's defense minister, Azerbaijan's defense minister and the commander of the N.K.R. army commit to maintaining the cease-fire and seeking a negotiated settlement of the conflict. 

September 16 - First ever use of C.S.C.E. peacekeeping forces deliberated at Prague meeting. 

December - C.S.C.E. Summit in Budapest finds agreement between the different mediators and proposals. C.S.C.E. is elevated to organizational status and becomes O.S.C.E. On December 22, N.K.R. Parliament elects Robert Kocharian president. 

1995
January - N.K.R. Foreign Minister Arkady Ghukasian rejects any proposal that would allow Turkey to provide troops to join an O.S.C.E. peacekeeping force. 

February - Tripartite talks begin in Moscow, aimed at reinforcement of the cease-fire in Karabagh and setting the stage for determining the enclaveþs political future. The talks endorse N.K.R. government participation. 

April 30 - Seventy percent of the N.K.R. electorate turn out at the polls to elect 24 of the 31 members of Karabagh's Parliament, renamed the National Assembly. 

June 23 - Karen Baburian is elected chairman of the N.K.R.National Assembly. 

July - A special committee is established to draft a constitution for N.K.R. On July 24, representatives from Nagorno Karabagh, Armenia and Azerbaijan meet in Baden, Austria, under the chairmanship of the O.S.C.E. to continue negotiations. 

September 4-8 - O.S.C.E. negotiations for a settlement to the Karabagh conflict take place near Moscow. 

October 9 - Closed-door sessions involving Armenia, Azerbaijan and N.K.R. begin at a Finnish port city in the Aaland Islands with hopes of finding a solution. 

November 4 - A scheduled week-long series of meetings seeking progress on a comprehensive political agreement on Karabagh resume in Moscow, with the Lachin Corridor issue remaining deadlocked. 

December - The government in Stepanakert issues an optimistic report on the economy of N.K.R., announcing a 19.2% decrease in its 1995 budget deficit. Also reported is the renovation of all 1,115 buildings that were destroyed or damaged as a result of the war and the construction of an additional 160 buildings. 

1996
January - N.K.R. leaders reject Russian President Boris Yeltsinþs request for Karabagh to maintain the status of an autonomous republic within Azerbaijan. 

March - Joseph Presel, U.S. special envoy on the Karabagh conflict, proposes a three-part peace plan that would return the occupied territories to Azerbaijan and move N.K.R.þs armed forces back to the Nagorno Karabagh borders, make the Lachin Corridor a permanent link between Nagorno Karabagh and Armenia, and give Armenian refugees the right to return to their homes in Azerbaijan. The plan is considered unacceptable by Azerbaijan. 

May 12 - The second anniversary of the cease-fire is marked by N.K.R. President Kocharian's request for the de jure recognition of N.K.R. by the international community. 

September 2 - A special session of the Nagorno Karabagh parliament passes resolution for new presidential elections to be held on November 24, 1996. On September 3, Armenian deputy Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian states that the peace plan between Russia and Chechnya is a viable precedent and fair model for settling the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. 

November 24 - Nagorno Karabagh President Robert Kocharian is reelected to a five-year presidential term with 86% of the vote. On November 26, the latest round of OSCE talks ended in a stalemate. 

December 3 - At the end of the OSCE Lisbon Summit, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office issued a statement setting three principles which should form part of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. All OSCE participating States except for Armenia voted to support these principles. 
 

Chronology of events (1989-1996)
Copyright © 1999 Armenian Assembly of America
Web site: http://aaainc.org

Chronology of events (7th c.-1988)
Copyright © 1988- Zoryan Institute & Gerard Libaridian.