Interfax, Russia
Oct 16 2009

Nagorno-Karabakh will never be granted independence – Azeri president

BAKU Oct 16

Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence cannot be considered even
theoretically, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said at an expanded
government meeting on Friday.

"The granting of independence to Nagorno-Karabakh even in 100 years is
not among the issues under consideration," Aliyev said.

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh can be settled only based on
international law, Aliyev said. "This means that the occupied lands
must be freed and the displaced persons must return to their land.
Nagorno- Karabakh may be granted provisional status, but this does not
mean independent status," he said.