KOSOVO CASE RAISES NAGORNO-KARABAKH’S INDEPENDENCE PROSPECTS

Interfax News Agency, Russia
Russia & CIS Presidential Bulletin
February 29, 2008

Armenian President Robert Kocharian believes that the recognition
of Kosovo’s independence will positively influence the situation
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Kosovo precedent is very important to Armenia. This will have
a positive influence on the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh’s
independence, Kocharian told students at Yerevan State University
on Friday.

One should remember that we began fighting for the independence of
Nagorno-Karabakh much earlier. We proclaimed independence in September
1991 and organized a referendum in December, Kocharian said. Kosovo
just recently began its fight for independence, he said.

Nagorno-Karabakh has no fewer chances to have its independence
recognized than Kosovo, Kocharian said.

We will be consistent in our fight. Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence
is an accomplished fact for us. Now other countries should recognize
this as well, Kocharian said.