TO CONDUCT REFERENDUM IN KARABAKH MEANS ITS LOSS

BAKU, JULY 12. ARMINFO-TURAN. The statement of high-ranking
diplomatic source in Yerevan of radio “Liberty” on the possibility of
conducting a referendum in Nagorno Karabakh within the coming 15
years would means its loss for Azerbaijan.

This is the opinion of most of politicians and independent political
experts in Baku. According to the Armenian sources, referendum in
Karabakh is one of the elements

Of the future peaceful agreement which can be signed this year.
According to some information, the Protocol on Intentions can be
signed during the meeting of the president of Armenia and Azerbaijan
in Kazan, on August 27 of this year. Official Baku understands quite
well all negative perspectives of referendum, but the West wants
peaceful agreement. If I. Aliyev contrary to the national interests
makes such step he will get support by the West on the eve of
parliamentary elections. Then, the West will again close eyes to the
violation of human rights, jusT like in October 2003. In this case I.
Aliyev will have the parliament controlled by him and the threat
against his regime will weaken. However, explosion of indignation may
take place and then nothing will save the ruling regime.

Commenting on the situation to Turan agency Vafa Guluzade, political
expert, said that the government of Azerbaijan should not agree to
referendum. “The Armenian made it in Yerevan and there is no doubt
that they will again vote for independence,” he said.

It is difficult to believe that the authorities of Azerbaijan can
agree to such proposal, said former Ambassador of Azerbaijan to
Russia Hikmet Hacizade stated.

Conducting of referendum runs counter the international law, as the
referendum must be held in the whole country, and not in some of its
regions. If Baku agrees to such variant it will mean betrayal of
national interests and explosion of indignation. “It will be
impossible to realize such agreements,” he said.

Political expert Eldar Namazov noted that such variant of settlement
is lobbied by the Armenians for many years ands ruins counter the
interests of Azerbaijan and health sense. “To conduct a referendum in
the occupied territories is impossible and the attempts to make this
variant are doomed to failure,” Namazov said.