Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
June 27, 2005, Monday

KARABAKH IS MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR A PEACEFUL LIFE

SOURCE: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, June 24, 2005, p. 5

by Sokhbet Mamedov

THE POSITIONS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA IN TERRITORIAL DISPUTES ARE
CHANGING POSITIVELY

Armenia stated that it does not lay territorial claims to Azerbaijan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov in Baku made this sensational
statement.

Araz Azimov commented on the results of negotiations between Foreign
Ministers Elmar Mamedyarov and Vardan Oskanyan in Paris last week and
announced some details of the negotiations. According to the deputy
minister, they discussed the prospects of peaceful settling of the
conflict. Azimov said that it concerned the fact that the situation
in Azerbaijan’s territory seized by Armenia improved after refugees
returned home. Araz Azimov noted, “This problem raises many other
issues, which need to be settled. Armenia must leave this territory –
this is a principal position. The main trouble is to prepare
mechanisms for ensuring a stable balance between Azerbaijanian and
Armenian communities in Nagorny Karabakh. We must establish peaceful
cooperation between them.”

Baku proposed to restore transport communications between Azerbaijan
and Armenia as the first move.

(…)

As far as security problems are concerned, the situation should be
controlled by international units, which must not consist of
representatives of the co-chairmen of the commission for settling the
conflict (Russia, France and the US).

To date four conceptions of deployment of peacekeeping forces have
been prepared. The choice of these concepts will depend on the
agreements reached by the parties. Peacekeepers’ participation may
vary from the presence of observers to full-scale operations aimed at
demilitarizing the region.

Armenian Foreign Minister, Vardan Oskaryan, appreciated the results
of negotiations with his Azerbaijanian counterpart. He stated after
his return to Yerevan that negotiations were constructive. The
Armenian minister noted, “It’s possible that we will reach an
agreement if we make concessions.”

Perhaps the Minsk OSCE group, which will hold consultations in Baku
and Yerevan on July 10-11, will try to convince the conflicting sides
to do this. The Armenian and Azerbaijanian foreign ministers plan to
hold another round of negotiations. In addition, the presidents of
the republic will hold a meeting in Kazan in August.

Azerbaijanian observers say that statements made by Araz Azimov
testify that negotiations regarding the conflict have become
constructive. Anyway, it seems that the conflicting sides have
already reached some agreements if they discuss restoration of
transport communications. However, it is hardly likely that Armenia
will leave Azerbaijan’s territory in the near future. As is known, a
parliamentary election will take place in Azerbaijan in November. It
is hardly likely that the government will announce all details of
negotiations on the eve of voting, especially if the republic plans
to make concessions.

In the meantime, Baku does not rely on Armenia’s statements that it
does not lay territorial claims to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijanian
political analyst Azer Ibadoglu said that it is a trick. He said that
Yerevan does not consider Nagorny Karabakh as Azerbaijan’s territory,
which is why he makes such statements.

Translated by Alexander Dubovoi