NKR PRESIDENT: CONSTITUTION’S ADOPTION WILL HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 11 2006

"I believe the Constitution’s adoption will have a positive impact
on the Karabakh settlement, as it is in the negotiation process’s
logic", the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Arkady Ghoukassian
told journalists in Stepanakert, while commenting on the conduct
of a referendum on the Republic’s first Constitution in the
Nagorno-Karabakh.

The President underscored the matter concerned the realization of
the right to self-determination. "Democracy is a historic chance for
Nagorno-Karabakh, there is no other way for us. We must be able to
build a democratic state, and from this viewpoint the referendum is
of great importance for us", Arkady Ghoukassian said.

Speaking about the international community’s possible reaction to
the referendum, Arkady Ghoukassian remarked, "we are not isolated
from the world, and I think it will see and estimate the true worth
of the referendum’s conduct". At the same time the President noted
it was possible that "under Azerbaijan’s pressure the international
community may flaunt, making various statements". Arkady Ghoukassian
stated the only way to achieve peace was to recognize the NKR, and
the international community had already realized it.

While commenting on Azerbaijan’s negative response to the referendum,
the NKR President said he had not expected another reaction.

"Azerbaijan is guided by the principle "the worse the better", and
this stand hampers to achieve the progress in the conflict settlement".

The Nagorno-Karabakh head added, "our society is ready for compromises,
however, they cannot be unilateral".