Nagorno-Karabakh Votes On 'Constitution'
December 10, 2006
December 10, 2006 -- The separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan is today holding a referendum on a constitution that purports to declare the predominantly ethnic Armenian area an independent and sovereign state.
Separatist authorities said that by late afternoon about two-thirds of the roughly 90,000 eligible voters had cast ballots.
The vote comes 15 years after separatists formally declared independence from Azerbaijan in a move that has not been recognized by the international community.
The Azerbaijani government, which wants to retain control over the territory, has denounced the referendum as illegitimate and an interference in efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully.
International observers recently suggested that an agreement might soon be struck over principles for the status of the region, although they say some sticking points remain.
(Reuters, AFP)