Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
Aug 25 2004

Aliev: Karabakh Must Remain Azerbaijan’s

25 August 2004 — Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliev today reiterated
that the breakaway ethnic Armenian province of Nagorno-Karabakh must
remain a part of his country.

Aliev made the comments in Berlin, where he met with German
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Aliev said ethnic Armenians are welcome
to live in Azerbaijan, but only under the control of the central
government.

Schroeder said at a news conference after their meeting that he and
Aliev agree the dispute over the enclave should be resolved
peacefully:

“The president (Aliev) and I agree that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
should be resolved by political means, and Germany will continue to
support your (Aliev’s) efforts [to reach a political settlement]
within the framework of the OSCE [Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe],” Schroeder said.

Armenian-backed forces won control of Nagorno-Karabakh after fighting
that ended with a 1994 cease-fire. Internationally mediated efforts
have so far failed to find a final settlement for the
territory, which is still claimed by Azerbaijan.