ArmenPress
April 7 2004

US TO REPLACE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRMAN

BAKU, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS: US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Reno
Harnish, was quoted by local news agencies as saying that his
government will replace the current US co-chairman in the OSCE’s
Minsk group. Harnish announced the news during a Tuesday meeting with
Azeri defense minister Safar Abiyev, saying that US Secretary of
State’s senior adviser for the Caspian basin issues, Steven Mann,
will take over the chairman’s post to succeed Rudolph Perina who has
been the third US chairman of the Minsk group, succeeding to Linn
Pasko and Carry Cavanaugh.
OSCE’s Minsk group was established to facilitate a peaceful
solution to the Karabagh conflict.
The United States, Russia and France are the chairmen of the group
coordinating mediation efforts.
Harnish was quoted as saying that the replacement is to give a new
impetus to the talks for a quick and long-lasting solution. Abiyev
reiterated that a “just solution is possible if all occupied Azeri
lands are liberated and given back,” adding also that Azerbaijani
army is prepared to develop military cooperation with the USA.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress