October 27, 1999
Web posted at: 1:09 p.m. EDT (1709 GMT)

ALSO Armenia's prime minister apparently killed as gunmen storm parliament U.S. appalled by Armenia parliament shootings     MESSAGE BOARD Attack in Armenia    Armenia: Area: Slightly smaller than Maryland at 29,800 sq. km. Landlocked, bordering Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Turkey Natural resources: Small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, and alumina Population: 3,409,234, 93% ethnic Armenian Independence: May 28, 1918-December 2, 1920 (First Armenian Republic); September 23, 1991 (from Soviet Union) Source: CIA World Factbook

Democratic movement catches fire in Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian SSR pushes for re-integration of Nagorno-Karabakh, which had been ceded to the Azerbaijan SSR in 1921 despite having a majority ethnic Armenian population. After nearly seven decades of conflict, war breaks out over the region.

Azerbaijan SSR dissolves Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous District.

Armenia votes for independence in September, Levon Ter-Petrossian elected first president of Republic of Armenia in October. Nagorno-Karabakh also votes for independence in September. Soviet Union collapses in December, leaving the status of Nagorno-Karabakh in limbo.

Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh declares itself independent. NKR independence forces join fighting.

Robert Kocharian elected president of the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia and Azerbaijan sign cease-fire over NKR.

Ter-Petrossian re-elected president in controversial vote; his election ultimately secured by Defense Minister Vazgen Sarkisian and Interior and National Security Minister Serzh Sarkisian who ordered armed troops to quell protests against alleged vote-rigging. Kocharian re-elected president of NKR.

Kocharian appointed prime minister of Armenia.

Ter-Petrossian announces resignation in February, citing pressure from hard-line opponents led by Kocharian (who is named acting president) and the two Sarkisians. At issue was Nagorno-Karabakh -- Ter-Petrossian supported autonomy for the region, but under Azerbaijan control, while Kocharian and others backed full independence.

Kocharian wins round one of presidential election in March, defeating Soviet-era Communist leader Karen Demirchian, National Democratic Union leader Vazgen Manukian, Armenian Communist Party head Sergei Badalian and eight others. Voting process declared "deeply flawed" by OSCE, but results are endorsed. Run-off held March 30.

Kocharian declared winner of election in April, defeating Demirchian. He appoints Finance and Economy Minister Armen Darbinian as new prime minister.

Parliamentary elections held in May; Demirchian's Unity bloc eventually declared the winner in disputed elections. Kocharian appoints Defense Minister Vazgen Sarkisian prime minister. Demirchian is parliamentary speaker.