23:28, 7 May 2004

Ancient capital of Karabakh to be restored

The ancient capital of Karabakh, Shushi, served as an important weapon emplacement for Azerbaijan forces in the years of the Karabakh conflict of 1991-1994. The town of Stepanakert and nearby villages were shelled from Shushi since they are clearly visible from its height. Shushi was liberated on 9 May 1992. It was destroyed to an extent that the Karabakh authorities called upon the Armenians from all over the world to help restore it. The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, one of the priority programs of which is the construction of the North-South Highway in Karabakh, has made a decision that after its completion, it will launch an all-embracing program to restore Shushi. Several years ago, the Government of Karabakh approved a general layout of the town, by which Shushi is to become a tourist and cultural center for all Armenians when the recovery work is done.

Author: Naira Ayrumian, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot