NAGORNO – KARABAKH ELECTS PRESIDENT

RussiaToday, Russia
July 20 2007

A leader has been defined at the presidential election in the breakaway
region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Preliminary results suggest the former
security chief Bako Saakyan is ahead in the polls.

Earlier, election officials declared the vote is valid, with over 75 %
of eligible voters taking part.

Meanwhile, while the Azerbaijan government condemned the election.

Azeri and Armenian forces fought for the area in the 1990s, with
Armenians gaining control following a 1994 ceasefire.

This is the fourth presidential election in the impoverished territory
inside Azerbaijan.

The republic is not recognised by any country in the world.

Both France and the United States – which, along with Russia are
helping mediation efforts to resolve the region’s status – say the
elections will not be acknowledged by the international community.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress