Azerbaijan has proof of Armenians settling in occupied lands – minister

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
20 Jan 05

[Presenter] The OSCE factfinding mission will release the final
results of its investigation into the reports of Armenian settlement
in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories in late February, Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said. Mammadyarov today broadly
discussed the issue with Andrzej Kasprzyk, envoy of the OSCE
chairman-in-office. Mr Kasprzyk has spoken to “Son Xabar” about the
mission.

[Correspondent] The OSCE factfinding mission will inspect the seven
occupied districts. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Mammadyarov and
Kasprzyk discussed the issue at a two-hour meeting today. Mr Kasprzyk
told “Son Xabar” after the meeting that the members of the mission
will also try to resolve organizational issues at a meeting planned to
be held in Vienna tomorrow.

[Kasprzyk speaking in Russian with Azeri voice-over] It is still not
clear which country will head the mission. We will meet in Vienna
tomorrow and discuss all issues, including the appointment of a
chairman. I think the mission will be completely ready for the visit
after this.

[Passage omitted: Kasprzyk says the mission’s visit to the occupied
territories may last for around a week]

[Correspondent] There are reports that the separatists are working
hard to conceal facts of settlement in Nagornyy Karabakh and
surrounding districts on the eve of the visit. But official Baku says
that it had predicted this earlier. Foreign Minister Mammadyarov says
the occupiers may resort to any means, but Azerbaijan already
possesses undeniable proof.

[Mammadyarov speaking to reporters] They may wish to do so. But they
cannot conceal buildings. We know that there are buildings there and
what these buildings are for. We already have evidence.

[Correspondent] The minister said the report of the factfinding
mission will be ready some time in late February. He said although the
document will be submitted to the OSCE’s standing commission, no
decision is expected to be adopted on this matter yet.

[Mammadyarov] The talk is not about any decision yet. Let’s wait and
see what the report will be like. Let the mission collect facts and
then we will see what happens.

[Correspondent] As for which country will head the mission,
Mammadyarov said official Baku views Germany as a real candidate to
this position.