REPORT OF ICG ENVISAGES POSSIBILITY OF GIVING NK OPPORTUNITY TO SEPARATE FROM AZERBAIJAN

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 11 2005

BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The International Crisis Group
published its second report on October 11. The report contains an
opinion that Nagorno Karabakh should be given an opportunity to choose
its status by a referendum, including both unification with Azerbaijan
and separation from it.

According to the proposals presented in the report, the final
status of Nagorno Karabakh should be decided at the referendum on
self-determination to be held after the return of displaced Azeris to
those parts of Nagorno Karabakh where they previously constituted the
majority and after an international conference establishes that Nagorno
Karabakh meets the international criteria for acquiring statehood,
including the proper protection of the rights of minorities.

Such an assessment will be made for the first time 5 years after the
signing of the peace agreement. The referendum will be held with
the participation of only Karabakh Armenians and Azeris and under
terms determined during negotiations chaired by OSCE and based on the
principle that the referendum results will be recognized by all sides.