YEREVAN–MARCH 19–ARMENPRESS.
Robert Kocharian was born on August 31–1954–in Stepanakert. Secondary school Mr. Kocharian finished in Stepanakert–and during 1972-1974–he has served in the Soviet Army.
In 1982–he graduated from the electrotechnical department of Yerevan Politechnical Institute.
Robert Kocharian started his working activities in 1971 at the electrotechnical factory in Stepanakert as a fitter, engineer-mechanic. Then he continued his work in silk factory of Karabakh as an electrofitter.
Starting 1980–he has occupied various positions in Komsomol and Party organizations. He has been the Secretary of Party Committee of the silk factory–which was one of the centers of Artsakh (Karabakh) movement.
From 1988–Robert Kocharian was one of the active participants and leaders of Karabakh movement. It was under his supervision that Miatsum (Unification) non governmental-political organization was established in 1989–which later led the Karabakh movement.
Since the establishment of the organization–Kocharian has supervised its activities–and has been an Adviser to the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region as the leader of the organization.
During 1989-1994–he has been a deputy of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia.
In 1991–Mr. Kocharian was elected to be a deputy of the Supreme Council of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
In 1992–he was appointed to the post of Nagorno-Karabakh Prime Minister. From August 1992-December 1994–he was the Chairman of Nagorno-Karabakh state Committee on Defense.
On December 22–1994–the Nagorno-Karabakh Supreme Council elected Robert Kocharian to be President of Nagorno-Karabakh.
On November 23–1996–Mr. Kocharian was reelected–this time by national elections.
Does not affiliate to any party. Married–has three children.