August 15, 2002 - 22:33 AMT
NONE OF INFLUENTIAL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS EXPRESSED READINESS TO OBSERVE REFERENDUM IN AZERBAIJAN
The US National Democratic Institute will not be present as an observer at the August 24 referendum on constitutional reforms in Azerbaijan. The representation of this prestigious international organization told "Turan" agency about that without explaining the reason of the refusal. Meanwhile, it is known that the structure is endowed with plebiscite observer mandate. The question of participation of observers of another American organization - the International Foundation for Election Systems - is not finally decided yet. The situation is also similar with OSCE observation. Anyhow, "Turan" has not yet managed to get information in the OSCE office concerning the rumor that their experts will not participate in the process of observing the referendum. It looks like the most influential international organizations have decided to ignore the referendum in Azerbaijan, by that demonstrating their attitude towards President Heydar Aliyev's actions.