PanArmenian News Network, Armenia
July 12 2005

SOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT `ALMOST FOUND’

12.07.2005 03:45

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The conflicting parties have already agreed on the key
points of a peace deal that could be formalized as early as this year or at
the beginning of next, a high-level source told RFE/RL. According to the
source, the current state of the talks `is very similar to the Key West
phase of the settlement (April 2001), when everyone thought accord is
reached and the problem will be solved soon.’ In the words of the source, a
similar state may be formed at the Kazan meeting of the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan in August. There FMs of the two countries, as well as
Presidents R. Kocharian and I. Aliyev will discuss the text of the agreement
on settlement of the conflict. According to the source, A referendum to be
held within 10 to 15 years from the signing of a peace agreement will form
the basis of the peace process and will allow the Nagorno Karabakh people to
decide Karabakh fate on their own. `The option of a referendum was already
proposed a few months ago, however the matter concerned a referendum both in
Azerbaijan and NK, and now the matter concerns a referendum to be held only
in NKR. At that Azerbaijan will de facto recognize the status of Nagorno
Karabakh, i.e. the right for self-determination. Lachin will remain under
control of Karabakh. As of the Azeri lands controlled by Armenia, these are
returned to Azerbaijan in exchange for agreement to hold a referendum,’ the
source stated, adding that in the course of the referendum `the Karabakh
people should decide their status, i.e. join Armenia, remain within
Azerbaijan or become independent.’ Security guarantees were spoken about
much – the source continued, – Armenian and Azeri diplomats, as well as
international mediators have announced that international peacekeeping
forces will be present in the conflict zone. However, it is not specified
which forces these will be. `Azerbaijan has always come against Russian
peacekeepers, and Armenia was against Turkish ones,’ he said. As reported by
diplomatic sources, the matter is almost solved, i.e. the forces should not
represent an OSCE MG member country. This fits both the interests of
Azerbaijan and Armenia, as Russia and Turkey are part of the OSCE MG. The
source also reported that the `stepwise-package’ format includes the
Armenian-Turkish relations as well, specifically the issue of opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border. Upon the signing of the accord Turkey will open its
border with Armenia, Azerbaijan will lift the blockade of communication
routes. As reported by the same source, the conflict solution is `almost
found.’ Already in early June a supreme White House official stated `there
is notable progress in peaceful settlement of the NK conflict,’ Regnum news
agency reported.