Nagorno-Karabakh criticizes Azerbaijan’s UN initiative

01.11.2004 08:10:00 GMT

Stepanakert. (Interfax) – The Foreign Ministry of Nagorno- Karabakh
has criticized Azerbaijan’s proposal at the UN that the territory of
this self-proclaimed republic be examined.

“The Azerbaijan-initiated discussion at the UN of the situation on the
territories controlled by Nagorno-Karabakh has yet again shown
Azerbaijan’s disinclination to settle the entire range of problems in
relations between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh,” Deputy Foreign
Minister Masis Mailian told Interfax.

A UN General Assembly committee earlier recommended, following a
proposal by Azerbaijan, that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh be
considered at an assembly session. Azerbaijan alleged that the
territory of Nagorno-Karabakhis used for drug manufacturing and
terrorist training.

“This step by Baku is purely propagandistic in its nature, which in no
way facilitates the creation of a favorable atmosphere essential for
reaching a comprehensive solution to the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh,”
Mailian said.

Stepanakert has repeatedly invited the Azerbaijani authorities to
start implementing confidence building measures between the
conflicting parties and resume full-scale negotiations, which are “the
most efficient method for settling the conflict,” Mailian said.

Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s
following a bloody conflict with Armenia. Baku has refused to
recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities as a negotiating party on
settling the conflict and is negotiating with the Armenian leadership.