[20040903]RS20812_亚美尼亚更新.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20812Updated September 3, 2004Armenia Updatename redactedSpecialist in Middle Eastern AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryArmenia has experienced domestic political turmoil since independence. Sincepolitical assassinations in October 1999, President Robert Kocharian has outmaneuveredhis opponents and secured his March 2003 re-election amid accusations of electoralirregularities. The economy is rebounding, except a majority of the people remain poor.A cease fire holds in the war with Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Ingeneral, Armenia relies on Russia for security and on the United States for economicaid. Its relations with neighboring Iran are good, but those with Turkey are troubled.Congress has been generous to Armenia. This report will be updated as developmentswarrant. See also CRS Issue Brief IB95024, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia:Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests, by (name redacted), updatedregularly.PoliticsArmenias first decade of independence was turbulent, and the late 1990s wereespecially un