Nagorno-Karabakh Expects Russia To Be First To Recognize Its Indepen

NAGORNO-KARABAKH EXPECTS RUSSIA TO BE FIRST TO RECOGNIZE ITS INDEPENDENCE

DeFacto Agency
April 10 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 10.04.08. DE FACTO. "We expect Russia and other CIS countries
to be the first to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence",
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian stated in an
interview with Polish "Rech Pospolita" newspaper (21.03.08.). The
Nagorno-Karabakh’s head noted there were all grounds for the NKR’s
recognition – historical, ethnic, human and legal.

Touching upon the possibility of the Kosovo option of the Karabakh
conflict settlement, the NKR President stated, "If Kosovo becomes a
precedent we’ll be satisfied with the fact". Bako Sahakian said the
Nagorno-Karabakh people were aware of the processes going on in the
world and realized that immediate recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh’s
independence would hardly follow Kosovo’s recognition. At the same
time the state’s head added that Nagorno-Karabakh had chosen a path
of independence long time ago.

"We do our best to achieve the goal, including development of our civil
institutes. We hope that one fine day the international community
will appreciate our efforts and recognize our independence", Bako
Sahakian noted.

Commenting on the possibility of granting wide autonomy to Karabakh
within Azerbaijan, Bako Sahakian stated, "Such a possibility is
ruled out. We have repeatedly stated it". He mentioned that during
the period of the Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence new generation had
been born and grown up, and they do not even know what it means to
live in Azerbaijan.