AZERBAIJANI CEC CONDEMNS "PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS" IN NAGORNO KARABAKH

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 18 2007

Azerbaijan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) held a meeting, APA
reports. CEC chief Mazahir Panahov underlined that Armenian continues
to occupy Karabakh this occupation impedes other ongoing processes
in Azerbaijan.

Noting that the annual reports of the Council of Europe also states
that Azerbaijani lands are under occupation, CEC chief said different
international organizations share this position.

"Armenians’ elections shows aim to attract attention. The so-called
regime in Nagorno Karabakh has supporters and the elections scheduled
for tomorrow are nothing but jugglery. They want the international
community to recognize Karabakh regime," he said.

CEC secretary Natig Mammadov noted that the world community has
already accepted that Azerbaijani lands are under occupation.

Underlining that Azerbaijan’s policy exposes Armenians’ lies, the
secretary said these lands will be liberated anyway.

"Armenia tries to disguise the occupation fact. Azerbaijani citizens of
Armenian descent living in Karabakh became Armenia’s marionettes after
the occupation. World countries should condemn this fact," he said.

Members of the CEC Azer Tagiyev, Nizami Ahmadov, Ogtay Humbatov,
Akif Gurbanov and others also noted hat the "elections" to be held
in Nagorno Karabakh contradict international law.

At the end of meeting, the participants made a statement concerning
the "presidential elections" scheduled for tomorrow. The statement
condemned the elections and called for the international community
to focus on the fact.