Nagorno-Karabakh dissolution not valid, says Armenian separatist leader
World
Shahramanyan rolled back on the announcement in comments given in Yerevan.
KARABAKH (AFP) - The leader of Armenian separatists, who were ousted from the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan this year, on Friday said his previous decree ordering the dissolution of separatist institutions was not valid.
The statement appeared to undo a historic move by the separatists to dissolve the disputed territory that was at the centre of two costly wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan -- in 2020 and in the 1990s.
Azerbaijan sent troops to Karabakh on September 19 and after just one day of fighting the Armenian separatist forces that had controlled the disputed region for three decades surrendered and agreed to reintegrate with Baku.
On September 26, separatist president Samvel Shahramanyan issued a decree ordering the dissolution of the separatist institutions by January 1, 2024.
The breakaway republic "will cease to exist," by the year's end, the decree said.
But in a surprise move on Friday, Shahramanyan rolled back on the announcement in comments given in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
"There is no document... of the Republic of Artsakh (Karabakh) stipulating the dissolution of government institutions."
His office told AFP separately that the September 26 decree was "empty paper," adding: "No document can lead to the dissolution of the republic, which was established by people's will."
Both Yerevan and Baku are unlikely to support the continued functioning of separatist institutions as they are close to signing a peace agreement based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity.
Almost the entire ethnic-Armenian population - more than 100,00 people -- fled Karabakh for Armenia, following Baku's takeover.
Maurice Steijn was sacked as coach in October, paying the price for the team's shocking run of form, with former Ajax player John van 't Schip brought in as interim boss to steady the ship.
Powerful technical director Sven Mislintat, who was behind much of Ajax's recent transfer activity, was also sacked in September. He is currently under investigation over a potential conflict of interest.
Verweij also called on other heads to roll.
"The argument that the club 'simply must be managed' is much less weighty than its actual mismanagement and its international loss of face," Verweij said.
For Hercules, however, who will now face second-tier Cambuur in the round of 16, the victory marks a memorable day in their 141-year history.
“We are the third oldest amateur club in the Netherlands,” Werner van Geelen, former Hercules club chairman and A-team selector told AFP.
“This is one of our greatest moments in our history since 1882,” he said.
Ajax have time to ponder the dilemma with their next fixture not scheduled until January 14 when they face an awkward trip to Go Ahead Eagles - two points and one place behind them in the Eredivisie.
Ajax have time to ponder the dilemma with their next fixture not scheduled until January 14 when they face an awkward trip to Go Ahead Eagles - two points and one place behind them in the Eredivisie.
