ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF CANADA
COMITÉ NATIONAL ARMÉNIEN DU CANADA
3401 Olivar-Asselin
Montréal, Québec
H4J 1L5
Tél. (514) 334-1299 Fax (514) 334-6853
Communiqué de Presse – Press Release
June 21 juin, 2005

Contacts: Shant Karabajak 514-334-1299
Roupen Kouyoumdjian 514-336-7095
For immediate release:
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Free Parliamentary Elections held in Nogorno-Karabakh Republic

On Sunday, June 19 2005, parliamentary elections were held in the Republic
of Nogorno-Karabakh, the war-torn region of the Southern Caucasus, where
ethnic Armenians fought a 6 year war of self determination against the
oppressive regime of Azerbaijan. A 1994 cease-fire confirmed the de facto
independence of the region, throughout its history populated almost
exclusively by Armenians.

The fourth such parliamentary elections were hailed by western and European
experts as free, noting no serious violations of democratic principles.
According to observers from the United States of America, Mr. Paul Williams,
“The amendments to the Election Code of the Nogorno-Karabakh Republic
allowed political parties to participate in the elections. The elections met
international standards.” He later added that “the reform of the Election
Code has led to development of democracy and the country has made a
considerable step toward democracy.”

Marc Almond, an observer from the Helsinki group stated “I became a witness
of a full democratic electoral process, and I think many recognized states
should follow the example of Nagorno Karabakh. Much was organized better
here than in Great Britain”, he said.

Dr. Girair Basmadjian, President of the Armenian National Committee of
Canada noted that “These elections prove that the people of the Republic of
Nogorno-Karabakh are committed to free and democratic life. The leaders of
this country will undoubtedly continue to cherish the basic normes and
principles of democracy and the rule of law, which is more than can be said
about Azerbaijan.”

It should be noted that 73.6% of electors participated in June 19 elections.
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