AZERI FM CONSIDERS REPORTS ON REFERENDUM IN KARABAKH RUMOR

Pan ARMENIAN Network, Armenia
July 16 2005

16.07.2005 03:50

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “As the talks are in process I cannot name the
issues, over which we have reached accord. Confidentiality principle
should be observed in order to make any progress. I can only say that
the principle of preservation of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
forms the basis of the talks and these are held in compliance with the
Constitution of Azerbaijan.” Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
stated this to journalists. The FM called groundless the rumor spread
by Armenian media that in 10-15 years after the signing of a peace
accord a referendum will be held in Nagorno Karabakh. “The reasons
for spreading such reports may lie both in the domestic situation in
Armenia and the opportunity for the information to be of provocative
nature. Most probably it is aimed at studying the response of the
opposing party,” Mammadyarov said. The Azeri Fm also said the talks
concern not only liberation of 5 regions: “The issue of liberation
of the 7 occupied regions around NK are discussed at the first phase
of the negotiations. However, the issue of placement of peacekeeping
forces in the region after the return of the Azeri population to the
permanent residence place will be discussed once an agreement over
key issues is made.” According to E. Mammadyarov, the decision on it
was passed at the OSCE Budapest Summit.