UN General Assembly starts discussions on Upper Garabagh

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 24 2004

The UN General Assembly launched discussions on Upper Garabagh
on Tuesday.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov stated that the OSCE
Minsk Group is working toward the Upper Garabagh conflict resolution
and stressed Armenia’s unlawful policy of settlement in the occupied
Azeri lands.

“750,000 Azerbaijanis have been driven out of their homes in Upper
Garabagh as a result of ethnic cleansing amidst the ongoing talks
between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Besides, the mass settlement of people
in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan continues and we are well aware
of this.”

The Minister said that four resolutions adopted by the UN Security
Council on unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from
the occupied lands of Azerbaijan remains a basis for the conflict
resolution.

Azerbaijan’s observance to the ceasefire over the last 10 years shows
that Baku gives priority to a peaceful settlement, Mammadyarov added.
The UN General Assembly is expected to vote on a resolution on Upper
Garabagh after the discussions complete.*