Samvel Nikoyan: Constitutional Referendum Symbolizes Start Of Democr

SAMVEL NIKOYAN: CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM SYMBOLIZES START OF DEMOCRATIZATION STAGE IN KARABAKH

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The constitutional referendum in
Nagorno Karabakh was fair, honest and transparent. Samvel Nikoyan,
Secretary of RA National Assembly RPA faction, declared at the December
12 press conference. He had participated in the December 10 referendum
in Artsakh as an observer. In his words, this was the estimation of all
observers representing non-state organizations of various countries,
as well as non-recognized republics.

Touching upon referendum’s political estimation, S.Nikoyan said that
the 1991 Referendum of Independence and the Declaration of Independence
can be characterized as a process of realization of NKR’s independence
in accordance with the international norms and the process following
this as a stage of state’s establishment, while this constitutional
referendum lays the foundation of a new democratization stage. "The
fact that the international community does not accept the results of
this referendum is their business. It is not up to them to say whether
Nagorno Karabakh should live with a Constitution or without it,"
S.Nikoyan said. In his words, the constitutional referendum cannot
impede the Nagorno Karabakh settlement negotiations process just like
the Referendum of Independence held 15 years ago does not impede it.