ARF Official Endorses Referendum Idea For Karabakh

ARF OFFICIAL ENDORSES REFERENDUM IDEA FOR KARABAKH

Armenpress
Sept 22, 2005

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Armen Rustamian, a senior official
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, endorsed today the idea
of holding a referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh to decide its political
status, saying it would allow people of Nagorno-Karabakh to decide
their future by application of the principle of self-determination.

But he said the proposal must be scrutinized to avoid any loophole
that would play into the hands of Azerbaijan. Rustamian then spoke
in favor of Karabakh’s inclusion in the talks, since the conflict is
between Azerbaijan and Karabakh.

He also said any resolution option must envisage exclusion of Karabakh
as part of Azerbaijan, it must provide a border with Armenia and high
security guarantees to its people.