Russian mediator says ‘no new proposals should be expected’

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 15 2005

Baku, July 14, AssA-Irada

The mediating OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Steven Mann of the USA,
Bernard Fassier of France and Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia held a
four-hour meeting with the leader of the separatist regime of the
self-proclaimed Upper Garabagh Republic Arkadi Gukasian in Khankandi
on Wednesday.

Merzlyakov has told journalists that the parties to the Upper Garabagh
conflict should not expect the mediators to come up with new proposals,
Armenian news agencies reported.

Recalling that the proposals made by the co-chairs before the Warsaw
meeting are currently under consideration, Merzlyakov said Azerbaijan
and Armenia are still to reach a specific agreement on the Garabagh
conflict.

Asked whether he experiences a reassuring and positive tendencies
in talks, the Russian diplomat said that “if the sides approve this,
the co-chairs are ready to agree with them.”

The mediators did not elaborate on the issues relating to the
determination of the Upper Garabagh status and the possibility of
holding a referendum there.*