RIA NOVOSTI, Russia
Nov. 1, 2004
UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DEBATE KARABAKH? NO WAY TO CURE THE MATTER,
WARNS RUSSIA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY
MOSCOW, November 1 (RIA Novosti) – The United Nations General Assembly
supposes to take up the Karabakh issue. The prospect will certainly not
encourage negotiations on the problem-laden Azeri territory populated
by Armenians for centuries. The opinion comes from Russia’s Ministry of
Foreign Affairs press and information department. It spoke up after an
initiative came to add “Developments in the Occupied Areas of
Azerbaijan” to the General Assembly agenda.
“The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group, Russia among them, abstained as
the issue was put to vote. As we see it, the initiative for debates
parallel to an OSCE discussion will hardly be beneficial for the
negotiations.” The vote shows the world’s majority to share Russian
diplomats’ point, say ministerial PR.
“As for the Karabakh settlement negotiations, Russia is known to be
interested in the problem solved as soon as possible. Russia is
promoting settlement in every possible way, be it through bilateral
efforts or as Minsk group co-chair on the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe,” stresses the Foreign Ministry. The Minsk group
format helps to settle whatever aspects of the Karabakh conflict, and
to ensure the peace cause making progress, is Moscow’s opinion.
A recent Armenian-Azeri presidential summit highlighted a chance to
resume negotiations for a mutually acceptable solution, points out the
Foreign Ministry.