Nagorno-Karabakh confirms adherence to peace settlement with Azerbaijan

Interfax
Sept 2 2004

STEPANAKERT. Sept 2 (Interfax) – Arkady Gukasian, leader of the
unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, has reconfirmed his
adherence to the peace settlement with Azerbaijan.

“Mediating efforts by the OSCE Minsk Group cochairmen can bring
positive results if the administration of Azerbaijan displays
goodwill and a sincere wish to resolve the Karabakh problem on
mutually acceptable terms,” says a Thursday statement of Gukasian on
the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the unrecognized republic.

“Nobody can take away from us the freedom and independence for which
we paid such a big price,” the statement runs. “The command-and-
staff exercises our army had this August clearly showed to the
adversaries of Nagorno-Karabakh that the army is ready for combat
and can accomplish the most difficult missions in the provision of
security of Nagorno-Karabakh and the people.”