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US mediator, separatist leader discuss Karabakh conflict

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  • US mediator, separatist leader discuss Karabakh conflict

    US mediator, separatist leader discuss Karabakh conflict

    Regnum, Moscow
    30 Jul 06

    [No dateline, as received] "Undoubtedly, one of the main topics of our
    discussion was participation of Nagornyy Karabakh in the peace talks
    and I think (US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza) Mr
    Bryza understands that the conflict cannot be settled without Nagornyy
    Karabakh. It is not only him, but all the mediators realize this. Of
    course, we discussed a number of other issues, but participation of
    the NKR (Nagornyy Karabakh republic) in the talks topped the agenda,"
    Arkadiy Gukasyan, president of Nagornyy Karabakh told journalists
    after his meeting with the US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group,
    Matthew Bryza, on 29 July, a Regnum correspondent in Stepanakert
    [Xankandi] reports.

    Gukasyan said that he had talked about the NKR's official position
    and various aspects of the problem. "I think that it was interesting
    for Mr Bryza to listen to us. I would not say that he expressed
    serious objections, since our approach was quite logical. Of course,
    I cannot reveal all the details of the negotiations because of the
    confidentiality of the talks. And it is clear that to certain extent,
    our position is different from the mediators' approach, but I am
    saying it again that I have not heard any serious objections," the
    head of the Karabakh state said.

    Asked about the importance of the US co-chair's visit to Stepanakert
    in terms of quite a long break in visits by the Karabakh mediators,
    the president noted that without visiting the NKR and learning the
    situation there, it would be hardly possible for the newly-appointed
    co-chair to have a full understanding of what is going on in the
    region. I did not expect anything from this visit because I knew that
    he was not coming with new suggestions but he was coming to listen
    to us. And from this point of view, our expectations were right as
    we were able to present our positions in full.

    [Passage omitted: Gukasyan said he had been invited to talks held in
    Yerevan more than once]

    "The atmosphere at the meeting was very constructive and creative. We
    exchanged our views and looked for a joint approach in order to make
    progress," Bryza told journalists in Stepanakert after meeting Arkadiy
    Gukasyan last evening.

    It should be noted that this was his first visit to Nagornyy Karabakh,
    both as an OSCE co-chair and in general. He said that he had come to
    listen to the opinion of the local leadership. However, he did not
    reveal the details of his meeting with the Karabakh president.

    "One should not expect any new elements from me now. I have just
    arrived to listen to you. This visit was not paid to make any precise
    proposal. I will go to Paris to discuss all suggestions and ideas
    with other co-chairs. One should not expect a major step now, but it
    might be taken in the future," Bryza said.

    The US co-chair declined to answer the question "if it was right to
    settle the Karabakh conflict without an involvement of Karabakh?"

    But he noted that "the most important thing is to listen to Karabakh's
    representatives. As for the composition of those participating at
    the negotiations, both Armenia and Azerbaijan must agree to that,"
    Brysza said.

    He left Nagornyy Karabakh on 30 July.
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