Tweet
OSCE MINSK GROUP PRESENTS SUMMARY OF FIELD ASSESSMENT MISSION'S REPORT
news.am
March 24 2011
Armenia
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs presented the Executive Summary of the
report of Field Assessment Mission conducted in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenian News-NEWS.am posts the text available on OSCE website.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs conducted a Field Assessment
Mission to the seven occupied territories of Azerbaijan surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) from October 7-12, 2010, to assess the overall
situation there, including humanitarian and other aspects. The
Co-Chairs were joined by the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office and his team, which provided logistical support,
and by two experts from the UNHCR and one member of the 2005 OSCE
Fact-Finding Mission. This was the first mission by the international
community to the territories since 2005, and the first visit by UN
personnel in 18 years.
In traveling more than 1,000 kilometers throughout the territories,
the Co-Chairs saw stark evidence of the disastrous consequences of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the failure to reach a peaceful
settlement. Towns and villages that existed before the conflict are
abandoned and almost entirely in ruins. While no reliable figures
exist, the overall population is roughly estimated as 14,000 persons,
living in small settlements and in the towns of Lachin and Kelbajar.
The Co-Chairs assess that there has been no significant growth in the
population since 2005. The settlers, for the most part ethnic Armenians
who were relocated to the territories from elsewhere in Azerbaijan,
live in precarious conditions, with poor infrastructure, little
economic activity, and limited access to public services. Many lack
identity documents. For administrative purposes, the seven territories,
the former NK Oblast, and other areas have been incorporated into
eight new districts.
The harsh reality of the situation in the territories has reinforced
the view of the Co-Chairs that the status quo is unacceptable, and
that only a peaceful, negotiated settlement can bring the prospect
of a better, more certain future to the people who used to live in
the territories and those who live there now. The Co-Chairs urge the
leaders of all the parties to avoid any activities in the territories
and other disputed areas that would prejudice a final settlement
or change the character of these areas. They also recommend that
measures be taken to preserve cemeteries and places of worship in the
territories and to clarify the status of settlers who lack identity
documents. The Co-Chairs intend to undertake further missions to other
areas affected by the NK conflict, and to include in such missions
experts from relevant international agencies that would be involved
in implementing a peace settlement.
From: A. Papazian
news.am
March 24 2011
Armenia
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs presented the Executive Summary of the
report of Field Assessment Mission conducted in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenian News-NEWS.am posts the text available on OSCE website.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs conducted a Field Assessment
Mission to the seven occupied territories of Azerbaijan surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) from October 7-12, 2010, to assess the overall
situation there, including humanitarian and other aspects. The
Co-Chairs were joined by the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office and his team, which provided logistical support,
and by two experts from the UNHCR and one member of the 2005 OSCE
Fact-Finding Mission. This was the first mission by the international
community to the territories since 2005, and the first visit by UN
personnel in 18 years.
In traveling more than 1,000 kilometers throughout the territories,
the Co-Chairs saw stark evidence of the disastrous consequences of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the failure to reach a peaceful
settlement. Towns and villages that existed before the conflict are
abandoned and almost entirely in ruins. While no reliable figures
exist, the overall population is roughly estimated as 14,000 persons,
living in small settlements and in the towns of Lachin and Kelbajar.
The Co-Chairs assess that there has been no significant growth in the
population since 2005. The settlers, for the most part ethnic Armenians
who were relocated to the territories from elsewhere in Azerbaijan,
live in precarious conditions, with poor infrastructure, little
economic activity, and limited access to public services. Many lack
identity documents. For administrative purposes, the seven territories,
the former NK Oblast, and other areas have been incorporated into
eight new districts.
The harsh reality of the situation in the territories has reinforced
the view of the Co-Chairs that the status quo is unacceptable, and
that only a peaceful, negotiated settlement can bring the prospect
of a better, more certain future to the people who used to live in
the territories and those who live there now. The Co-Chairs urge the
leaders of all the parties to avoid any activities in the territories
and other disputed areas that would prejudice a final settlement
or change the character of these areas. They also recommend that
measures be taken to preserve cemeteries and places of worship in the
territories and to clarify the status of settlers who lack identity
documents. The Co-Chairs intend to undertake further missions to other
areas affected by the NK conflict, and to include in such missions
experts from relevant international agencies that would be involved
in implementing a peace settlement.
From: A. Papazian