BAKU BELIEVES REFERENDUM ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH MUST BE NATIONWIDE
ITAR-TASS, Russia
July 3 2006
BAKU, July 3 (Itar-Tass) – Baku believes that a referendum on the
status of Nagorno-Karabakh should be nationwide, Azerbaijani Deputy
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told journalists on Monday.
He pointed out that Azerbaijan’s stand was "clear." "The
Nagorno-Karabakh problem may be settled after effects of the armed
conflict are eliminated."
"Earlier, not only Armenians, but also Azerbaijanis resided in
Nagorno-Karabakh," Azimov said.
If to speak of democratic conflict settlement, the demographic
situation in Nagorno-Karabakh as it was before the conflict waged
should be re-established and the Azerbaijani Diaspora should be
returned back to their homes, he said.
As for future signing of the framework agreement on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement during the G8 summit due in St.
Petersburg, where the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents will take
part, Azimov said "such agreement should be drafted first as it does
not exist."