Lack of trust between Armenians, Azeris may lead to instability – OSCE mission

Mediamax news agency
7 Feb 05

Yerevan, 7 February: The OSCE factfinding mission has completed its
work in all seven districts which are controlled by the Nagornyy
Karabakh defence army and make up the republic’s security zone.

A Mediamax correspondent reports from Stepanakert [Xankandi] that
[Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group] Yuriy Merzlyakov,
[French co-chairman] Bernard Fassier and the special representative
of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Andrzej Kasprzyk, met refugees from
Azerbaijan in the Karabakh capital on 6 February.

Touching on the refugees’ return to their homes, Yuriy Merzlyakov said
this would be possible when all the necessary conditions are met,
including security guarantees and the creation of an atmosphere of
trust between the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples.

Citing his own experience in Georgia and the Balkans, Bernard Fassier
said if these conditions were ignored, it could lead to further
instability in the conflict zone.

Members of the mission are expected to prepare a report for the
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group within one or two weeks.

The mission left Stepanakert for Yerevan today.