AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNS SO-CALLED ‘MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS’ IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH
Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 1 2007
Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend S.Agayeva / The Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry condemns the so-called ‘municipal elections’ in the
Armenian-occupied Azerbaijan region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
"The so-called ‘elections’ in the occupied Azerbaijani territory
contradicts the forms and principles of the international law and
the Constitution of Azerbaijan. They will be recognized neither
by the members of international community nor by countries. These
elections have a negative impact on negotiations on the resolution
of the Armenian -Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,"
Khazar Ibrahim, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry announced on 1
August. He was commenting on the forthcoming ‘municipal elections’
scheduled for 14 October.
The conflict between two South Caucasus countries broke out in 1988 in
face of Armenia’s territorial claims to Azerbaijan. Since 1992, 20%
of Azerbaijani territories (Nagorno-Karabakh and 7 nearby regions)
have been under occupation by Armenian Armed Forces. In May, 1994 a
ceasefire was signed between the sides. The talks under the auspices
of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by Russia, France, and the United
States are still fruitless.
The Central Elections Commission of the so-called "Nagorno Karabakh"
has set up arrangements for holding ‘elections’ to self-government
bodies, Armenian media reports.