AZERBAIJAN TONES DOWN ITS HARSH RHETORIC
ARMENPRESS
Dec 12 2007
BAKU, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS: In an indication of toning down
its harsh rhetoric an Azerbaijani diplomat said Tuesday that Baku
understands the desire of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to decide their
own fate, but added that this should not be perceived as separating
the region from Azerbaijan.
In an interview with an Azerbaijani Uch Nokta newspaper a deputy
foreign minister Araz Azimov reiterated that Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity could not be a subject of bargaining.
"By saying the desire to decide their fate we mean that part of
Nagorno-Karabakh population has the right to vice their opinion on
this. For that purpose a referendum must be conducted in Azerbaijan
and we believe that this is the only way to decide Nagorno-Karabakh's
future,' he said.
Azimov also said if Armenia exploits the Karabakh issue before or
after its presidential election, slated for February 19, 2008, it
will face serious problems in the negotiations because Azerbaijan
would announce that all resources for peaceful settlement of the
conflict are exhausted.
ARMENPRESS
Dec 12 2007
BAKU, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS: In an indication of toning down
its harsh rhetoric an Azerbaijani diplomat said Tuesday that Baku
understands the desire of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to decide their
own fate, but added that this should not be perceived as separating
the region from Azerbaijan.
In an interview with an Azerbaijani Uch Nokta newspaper a deputy
foreign minister Araz Azimov reiterated that Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity could not be a subject of bargaining.
"By saying the desire to decide their fate we mean that part of
Nagorno-Karabakh population has the right to vice their opinion on
this. For that purpose a referendum must be conducted in Azerbaijan
and we believe that this is the only way to decide Nagorno-Karabakh's
future,' he said.
Azimov also said if Armenia exploits the Karabakh issue before or
after its presidential election, slated for February 19, 2008, it
will face serious problems in the negotiations because Azerbaijan
would announce that all resources for peaceful settlement of the
conflict are exhausted.
