Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 13 2005

Mediators’ visit raises hopes

Baku, July 12, AssA-Irada
Another visit by the OSCE mediators to Baku raised hopes for settling
the long-standing Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh.
The co-chairs of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group did not cite an exact
timeframe for the conflict resolution but said a peace accord between
the conflicting sides may be signed soon.
Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov told a news conference on the
results of the mediators’ two-day visit to Azerbaijan on Tuesday that
the talks held over the past year have been more beneficial than
before. He said that developing the wording of a peace agreement may
take several months.
`We would certainly like for this to happen sooner. As you know, the
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will meet in Kazan [Russia] in
August. But developing a draft peace agreement in the same timeframe
is not feasible.’
Radio Liberty quoted a high-ranking diplomatic source as saying that
most issues on the conflict settlement `have already been agreed
upon’ and the parties are working `on several remaining provisions’
of the peace accord. The Garabagh conflict may be settled as early as
this year or early in 2006 and the parties are likely to reach an
agreement at the Presidents’ meeting in Kazan.
US co-chair Steven Mann said the timing for the conflict resolution
is uncertain and will depend `on the will of the sides’.
`The peace accord may be signed in the coming months or in 100 years.
The issue depends on the heads of state as well as the two peoples. I
believe that both presidents deserve the international community’s
assistance in solving the problem.’
The co-chair said no new proposals were discussed in Baku. `We held
broader discussions and received more comprehensive explanations this
time’, he said.
Touching upon the possibility of restoring the road connecting
Azerbaijan with Armenia through Upper Garabagh, Mann said he
discussed this with the head of the Azerbaijani community of Garabagh
Nizami Bahmanov as well as Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. He
noted, however, that it is inappropriate `to add the issue to the
range of matters being discussed at this point’.
Commenting on some assumptions that Russia may apply pressure on
Armenia, the Russian co-chair said this contradicts reality.
`Russia cannot rule Armenia. In general, I do not consider this
wording appropriate as Armenians may be offended by it. Russian State
Duma (parliament) chairman Boris Gryzlov did call Armenia a forepost
of Russia a while ago. But we should keep in mind that everyone makes
mistakes and Gryzlov is not an exception.’
Merzlyakov noted that Russia has no `separatist peace plans’ on the
Garabagh conflict resolution. `Moscow has shown its unequivocal
approach on this issue. President Putin laid out these principles
several years ago’, he said.
French co-chair Bernard Fassier said the mediators support continuing
the peace process, recalling the Warsaw meeting of Azerbaijani and
Armenian Presidents.
`They realize that an end should be put to war, the occupied land
liberated and refugees returned home. The two Presidents said in our
meetings that the primary goals are to ensure the prosperity of the
two peoples. They understand that this is possible only after peace
is restored in the region.’
`If we take major steps in this direction, the people will start
understanding the benefit of regional peace prospects. We hope the
cities will be restored and lands returned. The people will see the
importance of this and contribute to the process.’
In reply to a statement that a referendum is scheduled in Upper
Garabagh in 10-15 years to determine its status at a news briefing,
Russian co-chair Merzlyakov declined to comment, citing the
confidentiality of the talks. He somewhat clarified the issue
currently being discussed, saying that the parties continue working
to establish framework for the agreements reached during the Paris
talks.
`These elements may be vital for the conflict resolution and envision
the demands of the sides. There is no need to disclose them.’
The French co-chair Fassier disagreed with the statements accusing
the Minsk Group of the lack of activity, saying that the co-chairs
have carried out extensive work on the conflict resolution.
`If no progress has been achieved, we are not to blame. We will be
able to revitalize the process. But we cannot ensure that the parties
will show political will [to resolve the problem].
With regard to some statements that the democratic processes in the
region will greatly affect the conflict resolution, Fassier said this
`will have a certain impact’ on the negotiations. He also voiced a
hope that the November parliamentary election in Azerbaijan will be
democratic.
As for the involvement of neighboring states in the negotiations, the
French co-chair said he does object to this `in principle’. He did
not rule out that Iran, Turkey and Georgia may join the process.
The US co-chair generally approved of the suggestion but came out
against Iran’s involvement in the talks. `As an American, I do not
want to be involved in discussions with Iran’, he said.
The MG co-chairs will leave for Yerevan on Wednesday. They are
further expected to visit Upper Garabagh.*