NAGORNO-KARABAKH TO HOLD REFERENDUM ON NEW CONSTITUTION
Agence France Presse — English
November 6, 2006 Monday 4:32 PM GMT
The disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh will hold a referendum next
month on its first ever constitution, the region’s ‘presidency’
said Monday.
The territory, whose self-declared independence is recognized by
no-one, has nonetheless organized three presidential elections and
four legislative votes since breaking away from Azerbaijan in 1991.
Now, the region’s largely Armenian population will cast their vote
December 10 on a proposed constitution already approved by Karabakh’s
national assembly.
The referendum coincides with the 15-year anniversary of the enclave’s
announced secession from Azerbaijan, which sparked a six-year war
between Baku and neighboring Armenia that caused tens of thousands
of casualties on both sides.
Despite a 1994 ceasefire, the status of the region — located 270
kilometers (170 miles) west of Baku — is unresolved, and the situation
remains tense.
Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers failed to make a
breakthrough during October talks in Paris. They are scheduled to
meet again in Brussels this month.