So-called Election In Upper Karabakh Is Clear Violation Of International Law And Osce Principles

ANKARA (A.A) - 27.07.2002 - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yusuf Buluc said on Friday that the so-called elections in Upper Karabakh is a clear violation of principles of international law and principles of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Issuing a statement on the so-called presidential elections planned to be held on August 11 in Upper Karabakh, Bluc said that the conflict of Upper Karabakh which started with the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia is the most important impediment that stands in front of the peace and cooperation in the Caucasus.
Buluc said that the formation of good neighbourhood and cooperation among regional countries has been impeded, adding that ''Turkey supports solution of the conflict within the scope of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, principles of international law and by peaceful means and stresses its view at every opportunity.''
Buluc said that the elections are considered as efforts to make legitimate the existing illegal situation in Upper Karabakh, adding that ''Turkey believes that the efforts to find a lasting and peaceful solution to the conflict will become difficult by these elections and consider the elections as illegitimate.''