KARABAKH ELECTIONS A POSITIVE STEP IN SETTLEMENT PROCESS – PRESIDENT
Interfax, Russia
July 20 2007
STEPANAKERT. July 19 (Interfax) – Nagorno-Karabakh’s presidential
elections will have a positive effect on the Karabakh settlement
process, Nagorno-Karabakh President Arkady Gukasian said.
"Otherwise, negotiations will make no sense," Gukasian said.
Nagorno-Karabakh will inevitably become a negotiating party along
with Armenia and Azerbaijan, he said.
Asked to comment on negative responses to the Karabakh elections
from a number of international institutions, Gukasian said, "We are
holding elections not to please the international community, but
to attain our own goals. Those who are against electing the head of
Nagorno-Karabakh are welcome to offer an alternative."
The elections will be valid if at least 25% of the eligible voters
case their ballots.