OSCE mediators urge Armenia, Azerbaijan to refrain from bellicose statements

Mediamax news agency
15 Apr 05

YEREVAN

The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group adopted a statement in London
today, in which they expressed concern over frequent truce violations
in the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict zone.

The French embassy in Armenia has sent to Mediamax the full text of
the statement signed by the Russian, US and French co-chairmen of the
OSCE Minsk Group, Yuriy Merzlyakov, Steven Mann and Bernard Fassier.

The co-chairmen expressed concern “over heightened tension between
Armenia and Azerbaijan as a result of a significant increase in truce
violations along the contact line” and “public statements about the
possibility of war”.

“Reference to war frustrates the current efforts to achieve a peaceful
settlement to the conflict, incites hatred in both countries and does
not prepare people to live as neighbours rather than enemies,” the
statement said.

“At this sensitive moment, when the first step towards an agreement
mediated by the co-chairmen could be at hand as a result of
discussions between the sides, we are urging the sides:

-in line with the obligations undertaken by the sides in February
1995, to reinforce the truce on the contact line and refrain from any
public statements that can lead to escalation of the conflict;

-to understand that resumption of hostilities cannot secure a lasting
settlement to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, but would be disastrous
for the populations of both countries and lead to more human losses
and destruction, more refugees and displaced persons and enormous
spending that would undermine the economic development of both
countries;

-to prepare their populations for a balanced negotiated agreement
which will require compromise on both sides,” Yuriy Merzlyakov,
Steven Mann and Bernard Fassier said.

The co-chairmen called on the sides “to focus their efforts on the
foreign ministers’ discussions with the co-chairmen during the
meetings planned in London in mid-April and in Frankfurt at the end of
April, in order to prepare for the next meeting between the Armenian
and Azerbaijani presidents planned in mid-May”.