Deputy Foreign Minister dismisses reports on referendum
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 19 2005
Baku, July 18, AssA-Irada — Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has
dismissed reports on the determination of the Upper Garabagh status
through referendum. The status will be determined jointly by all of
its population after Azerbaijanis return home, he said.
“Azerbaijan’s current laws forbid holding a referendum in any part of
the country. Therefore, the reports on the status determination through
a referendum contradict reality”, he told a news conference on Monday.
Azimov said that in general, the issue is not on discussion at this
point, as Azerbaijanis must return home and peace be restored first.
For this to be possible, however, the occupied territories must be
freed and communications restored, he said.
“Only after this the status may be discussed in a peaceful
environment. Such discussions should be in line with Azerbaijan’s
laws and Constitution.” Azimov pointed out that in determining the
status of Garabagh, the views of its Azerbaijani community should
be definitely considered and the issue ‘cannot be solved by a simple
majority of votes’.
The Deputy Foreign Minister also said that there have been some reports
that the conflicting sides reached certain agreements on some issues
that were not even discussed. “There have been some speculations
aimed at disrupting peace talks”, he said.
Azimov noted that Azerbaijan will not give up the Lachin corridor
for the sake of Armenian residents’ ties with Armenia.
“Upper Garabagh Armenians currently use the city of Lachin as a link
to Armenia. They will be able to use this route after a peace accord
is signed as well. But Azerbaijan cannot give up the Lachin District
for the sake of Upper Garabagh Armenians’ establishing ties with
Armenia.” Azimov said that Azerbaijan proposes a different route that
goes through Azerbaijani territories and would ensure the security
of Armenian residents.
The negotiations are focusing on Armenia’s withdrawal from the seven
regions around Upper Garabagh. The issue has not been completely
agreed upon yet, he said.
The Deputy Foreign Minister dismissed reports suggesting that the
return of only five regions is being discussed.
Azimov did not specify when the peace talks will yield results.
“If Armenia agrees to pull out from the occupied land today, the
conflict will be resolved.” The Deputy Foreign Minister said that
the patience of Azerbaijan, which gives preference to settling the
conflict in peace, is exhausted. “It is difficult to cite a specific
timing for the conflict resolution”, he said.
He declined to comment on the recent statement by the US co-chair of
the mediating OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann concerning the timeframe
for conflict settlement.
Mann told a recent news conference in Yerevan that the conflict may
be resolved ‘either this year of in 100 years’ and that the issue
depends on the heads of state as well as the two peoples.
Azimov also said that it is premature to expect signing of any
agreement at the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents Ilham
Aliyev and Robert Kocharian in Kazan, Russia on August 26.
The results of the Presidents’ meeting will depend on the meeting of
the foreign ministers on August 23, said Azimov.
“If positive results are achieved at the ministers’ meeting, the
Presidents’ meeting will be beneficial as well.” The Deputy Foreign
Minister expressed a hope that the foreign ministers’ meeting will
form a ‘positive basis’ for the presidents’ talks. The positions of
the sides are unlikely to draw closer if the ministers do not reach
an agreement, he added.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress