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Today, Azerbaijan
March 25 2011
Executive Summary of the "Report of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs'
Field Assessment Mission to the Occupied Territories Surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh" published
25 March 2011 [14:00] - Today.Az
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-inOffice 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 CoChairs 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 CoChairs 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.
/Trend/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/83137.html
From: A. Papazian
March 25 2011
Executive Summary of the "Report of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs'
Field Assessment Mission to the Occupied Territories Surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh" published
25 March 2011 [14:00] - Today.Az
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-inOffice 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 CoChairs 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 CoChairs 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.
/Trend/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/83137.html
From: A. Papazian