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US MEDIATOR REVEALS KEY GARABAGH SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES
AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 2, 2007 Wednesday
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh conflict Matthew Bryza has elaborated on the main principles
of the conflict resolution proposed by the mediators. Bryza told
Voice of America Radio that the sides are very close to reaching
agreement on the key principles put forth by the co-chairs last
year that will be the basis of a future agreement.We hope that the
presidents will approve of these principles in the coming months,
to be followed by a stage of intense negotiations on a final peace
accord.Bryza said the basic principles cover the following issues:
the immediate withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the five
occupied districts and their speedy return to Azerbaijan, stationing
of peacekeepers in the conflict zone and the return of refugees home,
Bryza said.The US co-chairman said talks are still underway on the
conditions for the liberation of the strategic Kalbajar and Lachin
districts. The parties are very close to striking a common ground on
these issues as well.
The Lachin corridor is a road connecting the occupied Upper Garabagh
region with the Armenian territory.Bryza said the key conflict
settlement principles include ensuring a corridor that will be used
for civil purposes and trade. This is to be followed by the conduct
of a nationwide poll to determine the status of Upper Garabagh at a
certain stage in the peace process. Bryza emphasized that Azerbaijan
is opposed to using the referendum term, as thus runs counter to the
countrys Constitution. We are therefore in talks on holding a vote
at some point.The diplomat noted that peace talks are currently at a
very promising stage and the Garabagh status is the key issue on the
negotiating table. At the same time, he reiterated that Azerbaijans
territorial integrity has never been questioned. We have never denied
that Upper Garabagh is a part of Azerbaijan. But its status should
be determined through peace talks, with the participation of [both]
Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bryza added.Azerbaijan and Armenia fought
a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994,
but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven adjacent
Azerbaijani districts.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 2, 2007 Wednesday
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh conflict Matthew Bryza has elaborated on the main principles
of the conflict resolution proposed by the mediators. Bryza told
Voice of America Radio that the sides are very close to reaching
agreement on the key principles put forth by the co-chairs last
year that will be the basis of a future agreement.We hope that the
presidents will approve of these principles in the coming months,
to be followed by a stage of intense negotiations on a final peace
accord.Bryza said the basic principles cover the following issues:
the immediate withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the five
occupied districts and their speedy return to Azerbaijan, stationing
of peacekeepers in the conflict zone and the return of refugees home,
Bryza said.The US co-chairman said talks are still underway on the
conditions for the liberation of the strategic Kalbajar and Lachin
districts. The parties are very close to striking a common ground on
these issues as well.
The Lachin corridor is a road connecting the occupied Upper Garabagh
region with the Armenian territory.Bryza said the key conflict
settlement principles include ensuring a corridor that will be used
for civil purposes and trade. This is to be followed by the conduct
of a nationwide poll to determine the status of Upper Garabagh at a
certain stage in the peace process. Bryza emphasized that Azerbaijan
is opposed to using the referendum term, as thus runs counter to the
countrys Constitution. We are therefore in talks on holding a vote
at some point.The diplomat noted that peace talks are currently at a
very promising stage and the Garabagh status is the key issue on the
negotiating table. At the same time, he reiterated that Azerbaijans
territorial integrity has never been questioned. We have never denied
that Upper Garabagh is a part of Azerbaijan. But its status should
be determined through peace talks, with the participation of [both]
Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bryza added.Azerbaijan and Armenia fought
a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994,
but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven adjacent
Azerbaijani districts.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress