IN ESTIMATION OF AMERICAN OBSERVATION MISSION, NKR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ARE IN CONFORMITY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Noyan Tapan
Jul 23, 2007
YEREVAN, JULY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The observation mission of the
American "Public International Law and Policy Group" organization
regards the presidential elections held in the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh as free, fair, and open, as well as in conformity with
international standards and the Constitution of the Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh. This statement was made at the press conference,
which took place in the NKR Permanent representation of American
observers in the Republic of Armenia on July 20.
Vladimir Matich, the Head of the mission, declared that they kept
an eye on the elections held in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
both in 2002 and 2005, however, these elections were the best
from the point of view of organization and improvement of electoral
proceedings. It was also mentioned that the members of the mission have
made observations in 50 electoral districts of Nagorno Karabakh, have
met with presidential candidates, the members of the Central Electoral
Commission, ordinary electors, as well as with the authorities of
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. The report of the mission will be
introduced in a number of international organizations, as well as in
U.S. Congress.
According to Vladimir Matich, the participation of international
observers in the observation of the elections shows that the society
in Karabakh is open. He also mentioned that the participation of
international observers contributes to the increase in the confidence
of electors in the elections, as well as in the development of
democracy.
In response to a journalist’s comment that the world community has
declared that it will not recognize the results of the presidential
elections held in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, Paul Williams,
the Head of the organization, said that a week after the elections
nobody will remember it, one will only remember that fair elections
were held in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. He also mentioned that
the world community is engaged in the settlement of Kosovo’s problem:
the settlement of Kosovo’s problem, according to Paul Williams, will
serve as a precedent for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,
therefore, Armenia and Karabakh should be ready for it.