area handbook series Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia country studies Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia country studies Federal Research Division LibraryofCongress Edited by Glenn E. Curtis Research Completed March 994 1 On the cover: Cultural artifacts from Georgia (upper left) and Azerbaijan (right), and folk costume from Armenia First Edition, First Printing, 1995. LibraryofCongress Cataloging-in-PublicationData Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia country studies / Fed- : eral Research D—ivision, Library ofCongress ; edited by Glenn E. Curtis. 1sted. p. cm.—(Area handbook series, ISSN 1057-5294) (DAPam 550-111) ; "Research completed March 1994." Includes bibliographical references (pp. 257-68) and index. ISBN 0-8444-0848-4 — 1. Transcaucasia Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Curtis, Glenn E. (Glenn Eldon), 1946- . II. LibraryofCongress. Federal Research Division. III. Series. IV. Series: DAPam 550-111. ; DK509.A727 1995 94-45459 947'.9-dc20 CIP Headquarters, Department ofthe Army DA Pam 550-111 ForsalebytheSuperintendentofDocuments,U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice Washington,DC.20402 Foreword This volume is one in a continuing series ofbooks prepared by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program spon- sored bythe DepartmentoftheArmy. The last two pages ofthis book list the other published studies. Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign coun- try, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Each studyis written by a multidisci- plinary team ofsocial scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, their origins, dominant beliefs and values, their common interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent oftheir involvement with national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order. The books represent the analysis ofthe authors and should not be construed as an expression of an official United States government position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards ofscholarly objectivity. Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from read- ers will be welcomed for use in future editions. Louis R. Mortimer Chief Federal Research Division Library ofCongress Washington, D.C. 20540-5220 iii Acknowledgments The authors are indebted to numerous individuals and organizations who gave their time, research materials, and expertise on affairs in the nations ofthe Transcaucasus to pro- vide data, perspective, and material supportfor this volume. The collection of accurate and current information was assisted greatlyby the contributions ofProfessor StephenJones of Mount Holyoke College, Dee Ann Holisky, Betty Blair of Azerbaijan International, and Joseph Masih of the Armenian Assembly ofAmerica. The authors acknowledge the generosity — ofindividuals and public and private agencies including Azer- baijan International, the Embassy ofAzerbaijan, and the White — House Photo Office who allowed their photographs to be used in this study. Thanks also go to Ralph K. Benesch, who oversees the Country Studies/Area HandbookProgram for the Department ofthe Army. In addition, the authors appreciate the advice and guidance ofSandraW. Meditz, Federal Research Division coor- dinator ofthe handbook series. Special thanks go to Marilyn L. Majeska, who supervised editing; Andrea T. Merrill, who man- aged production; David P. Cabitto, who designed the book cover and the illustrations on the title page of each chapter, provided graphics support, and, togetherwith Thomas D. Hall, prepared the maps; and Helen Fedor, who obtained and orga- nized the photographs. The following individuals are gratefully acknowledged as well: Vincent Ercolano, who edited the chap- ters; Barbara Edgerton and Izella Watson, who did the word processing; Catherine Schwartzstein, who performed the final prepublication editorial review; Joan C. Cook, who compiled the index; and Stephen C. Cranton and David P. Cabitto, who prepared the camera-ready copy. v