Talks on releasing Azeri prisoners underway

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 7 2005

Baku, May 6, AssA-Irada — The international taskforce on captives
and hostages continues talks with Armenia on the release of three
Azerbaijani soldiers from captivity. It has sent an appeal to the
Armenian side to provide suitable conditions for its representative
in Upper Garabagh to meet with the Azerbaijani prisoners for the
third time, the taskforce member Bernard Klazen told journalists.

The previous round of talks with Armenia on the issue was held on
May 4, Klazen said.

“The Armenian side says the soldiers are in good health. However, we
want to examine this ourselves.” Klazen voiced a hope the Azerbaijani
captives will be released soon.

“Armenia will achieve nothing by keeping the soldiers in captivity”,
he added.

The three soldiers were captured after they lost their way close to
the Terter District and passed to the Armenian side of the frontline
on February 15.*