Azerbaijan has been blockading Armenia and the enclave. and this has made matters worse. They did not lift their blockade even after the devastating Armenian earthquake several years ago. In February 1988. in an attempt to ensure their future. the local Soviet in the enclave passed a resolution calling for the transfer of NagornoKarabakh from Azerbaijan to Armenia. Armenians fled Azerbaijan in large numbers. with the exception of NagornoKarabakh. resulting in massive refugee problems and adding to the growing distrust between the two peoples. In December 1991. with 80 percent of the residents of the enclave votingdeclaring NagornoKarabakh to be an autonomous Republic. Weeks later.