Karabakh leader rubbishes Azeri appeal to vote in November polls

Arminfo, Yerevan
2 Sep 05

Stepanakert, 2 September: “I am glad that Azerbaijan has a good sense
of humour,” Arkadiy Gukasyan, president of the Nagornyy Karabakh
republic [NKR], said today commenting on Azerbaijan’s appeal to
the residents of Nagornyy Karabakh to participate in the upcoming
parliamentary election in Azerbaijan.

A special Arminfo correspondent reports from Stepanakert that at
today’s festivities devoted to the 14th anniversary of Nagornyy
Karabakh’s independence, Gukasyan said that the NKR had already
been established. The NKR managed to defend its independence in very
complicated circumstances, i.e. in the situation of blockade and war
that was unleashed by Azerbaijan. “However, we won because we knew
we were defending our motherland.”

At the same time, the Karabakh leader expressed the confidence that
the NKR will succeed in establishing good and friendly relations
with all neighbours. “We are building a democratic state and going
forward.” Undoubtedly, we could have done more. However, in any case,
Nagornyy Karabakh is standing very firm on its own feet and I believe
it has a future,” Gukasyan said.

Commenting on the recent meeting between the presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan in Kazan, the Karabakh president said that the
negotiations are confidential and it would be wrong to reveal its
essence prematurely. “I think everything is developing in a usual
manner and there are no grounds for concern,” Gukasyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress