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Matthew Bryza: There Is Political Will For Solving Problem

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  • Matthew Bryza: There Is Political Will For Solving Problem

    MATTHEW BRYZA: THERE IS POLITICAL WILL FOR SOLVING PROBLEM

    YEREVAN, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 29, after his
    meeting with RA President Robert Kocharian, OSCE Minsk Group American
    Co-Chairman Matthew Bryza announced that he is satisfied with that
    meeting which was useful for him. "I see that there is a political
    will for solving the problem, and the philosophy on the basis of our
    suggestions is acceptable", said Matthew Bryza to the radio Liberty.

    Speaking about the details of the suggestions, he said that still
    there are problems connected with Kelbajar and Lachin, as well as
    with the referendum. Bryza confirmed that as the co-chairmen affirm,
    the Karabakh people should solve the problem of the Karabakh status.

    "But the question is whom we should consider the people of
    Karabakh. There are also inhabitants of 1988, who also want to take
    part in the referendum", said Bryza hinting at displaced Azerbaijani
    minority of Karabakh. In his words, "all these problems should be
    still worked out as part of the large-scale package of agreement".

    "The principles, that today are on the table, are not an agreement
    yet, they are only principles, suggestions. So as it is impossible to
    avoid the agreement if there is not such", said the American diplomat.

    "You are the deputy assistant of the U.S. state secretary and so
    the most high-ranking official of the United States who has ever
    visited Karabakh, aren't you?. In response to this question of the
    radio station, Matthew Bryza said:" Frankly speaking I don't know
    the history who have visited Karabakh, but I go there not as deputy
    assistant of the state secretary but as Minsk Group co-chairman. I
    will also visit Azerbaijan, and then I will share my impressions with
    the other co-chairmen Bernard Fassier and Yuri Merzliakov."

    In response to the question, whether there is a chance to come to
    an agreement this year and if this year the problem isn't solved,
    is everything postponed at least until 2009, Bryza said: "Of course,
    there is a chance and it would be beneficial for the leaders of the
    two countries to participate in the elections after having solved the
    problem. But the elections are not an obstacle for the negotiations
    process. Simply it is easier to solve the problem at a time when the
    political processes have not flamed up yet".

    In response to the remark that the Minsk Group has been functioning
    for more than 10 years, but the problem is not solved yet, and to the
    question whether that group is ready to function for another 10 years,
    the American co-chairman said: "We are ready to function as long as
    the sides treat the negotiations process seriously. We see that our
    friends in Armenia treat the process seriously."

    In connection with the democratic state in Armenia, M.Bryza mentioned:
    "We hope that Armenia has chosen a right way. The ties between America
    an Armenia will be as strong as the democracy will be in Armenia. And
    Armenia's participation in the Millenniun Challenge program is the
    best way for America to be sure that Armenia moves forward on the
    democratic way. Democracy is a process".

    In response to the question whether the expression that there are
    more visible tendencies of democracy in Azerbaijan, is ascribed
    to him, the American diplomat answered that he did not say such a
    thing: "Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot be compared at all. Both have
    their advantages and disadvantages. I meant that Azerbaijan doesn't
    correspond to certain standards, but this doesn't mean that there is
    no progress. The tendencies in Azerbaijan are positive over the past
    months. The tendencies in Armenia are also positive".
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