GHOUKASYAN: REFERENDUM IN CHERNOGORIA PRECEDENT FOR NK

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 25 2006

“Nagorno Karabakh has all grounds for expecting the international
recognition of its independence”, Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
President Arkady Ghoukasyan told journalists in Moscow on Thursday,
RIA Novosti reports.

“The latest referendum in Chernogoria is a very important precedent.

In case the international community is ready to recognize Chernogoria
and Kosovo independence, then I think it will be very difficult
for them to explain, why they do not recognize Nagorno Karabakh”,
Ghoukasyan stated during a break in the Third Congress of the Armenians
of Russia.

According to the NKR President, Nagorno Karabakh has got more grounds
for expecting recognition of its independence, including geographic
and legal ones. If we recall that the Nagorno Karabakh people have
survived in the war imposed by Azerbaijan and are constructing their
statehood at present, I consider we have all grounds for expecting
the international recognition of independence. I do not see any
alternative to that, NKR is independent, and it will remain such
irrespective of Azerbaijan’s desire”, Arkady Ghoukasyan highlighted.

Nagorno Karabakh President voiced confidence that “the international
community will recognize Karabakh sooner or later”. “The sooner it
(the international community) does it, the more chances for peace
will be sustained in the region”, concluded the head of the Republic.