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Nagorno-Karabakh holds elections Nagorno-Karabakh holds elections
(11 minutes later)
People in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh are voting in presidential elections, which they hope will further their aim of independence.People in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh are voting in presidential elections, which they hope will further their aim of independence.
But Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan, which has condemned the polls as illegal.But Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan, which has condemned the polls as illegal.
Azeri and Armenian forces fought a bitter war over the territory in the 1990s, which left some 30,000 people dead.Azeri and Armenian forces fought a bitter war over the territory in the 1990s, which left some 30,000 people dead.
No country recognises the independence of the breakaway region.No country recognises the independence of the breakaway region.
Nagorno-Karabakh wants to prove it could become an independent, democratic state.Nagorno-Karabakh wants to prove it could become an independent, democratic state.
But this tiny, mountainous region is still the subject of a bitter dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, more than a decade after the ceasefire. Armenian forces won the war and now control Nagorno-Karabakh, after the Azeri population fled and years of negotiations have failed to deliver a peace deal.But this tiny, mountainous region is still the subject of a bitter dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, more than a decade after the ceasefire. Armenian forces won the war and now control Nagorno-Karabakh, after the Azeri population fled and years of negotiations have failed to deliver a peace deal.
Unrecognized pollUnrecognized poll
One of the candidates for president, Bako Sahakian, says the election will demonstrate the democratic progress Nagorno-Karabakh has made.One of the candidates for president, Bako Sahakian, says the election will demonstrate the democratic progress Nagorno-Karabakh has made.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are still at odds over Nagorno Karabakh class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6905648.stm">Old hatreds die hard
"It is the most civilised way towards building democracy and civil society. It is the best and the most progressive way to build a state. We will try to do everything possible to get the international community to recognise Nagorno-Karabakh.", Bako Sahakian says."It is the most civilised way towards building democracy and civil society. It is the best and the most progressive way to build a state. We will try to do everything possible to get the international community to recognise Nagorno-Karabakh.", Bako Sahakian says.
But Azerbaijan says the elections are being held by a separatist regime which was established by ethnic cleansing.But Azerbaijan says the elections are being held by a separatist regime which was established by ethnic cleansing.
The Azeri foreign ministry spokesman, Khazar Ibrahim, says they are effectively meaningless.The Azeri foreign ministry spokesman, Khazar Ibrahim, says they are effectively meaningless.
"These are so-called elections conducted by the illegal regime which has basically occupied this region of Azerbaijan. These so-called elections have no legal effect because they contradict the norms and principles of international law," he said."These are so-called elections conducted by the illegal regime which has basically occupied this region of Azerbaijan. These so-called elections have no legal effect because they contradict the norms and principles of international law," he said.
While Azerbaijan says Nagorno-Karabakh must not be allowed to break away. Armenia insists the region has the right to choose its own destiny.While Azerbaijan says Nagorno-Karabakh must not be allowed to break away. Armenia insists the region has the right to choose its own destiny.
The results of these elections are unlikely to bring a peaceful solution any closer.The results of these elections are unlikely to bring a peaceful solution any closer.