Azeri CEC: Armenian Observers Cannot Take Part In Elections

AZERI CEC: ARMENIAN OBSERVERS CANNOT TAKE PART IN THE ELECTIONS

DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 5 2005

According to the Azeri CEC, representatives of Armenia cannot take part
in the Azeri Parliamentarian elections on November 6 as observers.
“Azerbaijan has no diplomatic ties with Armenia, so the Armenian
representatives cannot take part in the elections as observers”,
stated AR CEC International Department Head Rovzat Gasymov during the
interview for Trend Agency. In his words, even though the Armenian
observers are in the CIS mission, they cannot visit Azerbaijan with
the Armenian passports. “If we do not have diplomatic ties with
Armenia, how can the observers arrive in Azerbaijan with Armenian
passports? That is the Central Electoral Commission’s stand. Azeri
Foreign Ministry may hold its own position on the issue”, said Gasymov.
According to Day.az, CIS Executive Secretary Vladimir Roushajlo said
if Armenia wished to take part in the elections’ monitoring it was
its right. He noted the leadership of the country holding elections
had filed a note to CIS to send observers to the elections. “We send
the notes to CIS countries, including Armenia”, stated Roushajlo.