“This referendum showed that the Republic of Artsakh is an independent military-political unit: David Shahnazaryan
“The situation on NK conflict zone urged the Republic of Artsakh to develop such a Constitution,” David Shahnazaryan, Senior Analyst at Regional Studies Center, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (1992-1995), former Head of National Security Service (1994-1995), told 168.am, reflecting to referendum results held in Artsakh yesterday, as well as existent moods.
Upon the results of February 20 referendum held in Nagorno Karabakh 69.540 citizens (87.6%) voted in favor of the Constitutional referendum. 7686 citizens voted against, the NKR Central Electoral Commission said. 2202 ballots (2.8%) were declared invalid. 79.428 (76.44% of the total number of voters) out of 103.
David Shahnazaryan, who is currently in Artsakh as international observer, attached attention to high participation and voting indices in favor of new Constitution, positively recording that participation indices even exceed the results of former parliamentary elections held in Artsakh.
Shahnazaryan explains this by two factors, “Firstly, Constitutional referendum was held on February 20, which is Artsakh’s National Liberation Movement day. Unfortunately, that day is almost not celebrated in Armenia, and it’s a really prominent day in Artsakh for everyone, which passed on additional importance to the voting.
Election in favor of new Constitution and high participation was conditioned by the circumstance that the referendum was perceived as election for the sake of Artsakh. Secondly, based on my personal observations, the fact that Azerbaijan implemented rather wide, active anti-referendum campaign, had a rather big role, which both contributed to such high participation and such result, as well as raised interest of international community on the occurrence,” David Shahnazaryan said.
He considered unprecedented the number of groups implementing observation mission and the represented countries. “This number of international observers is hard to imagine. This edifies that even if on official level interest of the countries toward Artsakh isn’t distinguished, at least on parliamentary, social organizations’ level rather high interest is observed, which is still increasing.
For instance, two former Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Armenia—Hans Johan Schmidt and Rainer Morel were also implementing an observation mission, an observer from Pakistan was present as well.
International observation mission invited a press conference today, during which they reflect to the referendum, region, regional security, which once again proves that interest toward Artsakh has considerably increased, that Artsakh is an independent military and political factor in the region,” David Shahnazaryan said.
The latter noticed that there is perception that Armenia and Artsakh is Armenia. He assures that by this election it was proven that Armenia and Artsakh already have different systems of governance.
“If we have a parliamentary system in Armenia, then in Artsakh it’s presidential, moreover, the situation on NK conflict zone urged making such Constitution, which, I believe, once again proves that the Republic of Artsakh is an independent military-political unit, which state both Bundestag MPs and all other international observers,” Shahnazaryan said.
He reminded the words by president of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan stating that this really puts another responsibility both on the authorities of Artsakh and its political system.
In his words, this is extension of responsibility. Reflecting to Artsakh internal political debates Shahnazaryan stated that election results haven’t been protested by anyone, moreover, everyone accepts it.
“Artsakh’s political system has a peculiarity, both political figures of Artsakh and authorities, as well as, people are getting prepared, accordingly, they strive to develop political structures.
Even an ordinary voter realizes it, which is understood as a result of my numerous meetings with voters,” he said. Touching upon allegations found in the statement issued by OSCE MG Co-Chairs and comments by RF MFA, that referendum results won’t be reflected in NK final status, Shahnazaryan said the issue of official positioning of Yerevan and Stepanakert is more than realistic and rational.
“Thus, status and territories. After WWII the world was never in such unprecedented and hazardous situation, as it is today, from where directly generates the circumstance that status is necessary for any settlement. Other thing, that is necessary for that position of Armenian sides to move forward and work more actively.
I want to stress with gratification that Arsakh is taking steps to that end, meetings of Artsakh’s Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan, his press conferences in Brussels and Strasbourg have wide reflection in the world, which are heard from such figures who even weren’t amateurs of Artsakh, he should develop that consistent work,” David Shahnazaryan concluded.
By Araks Martirosyan
