Officials cite ‘great chances’ for peace

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
July 21 2005

The Azerbaijani government has called on Armenia ‘not to miss the
chance’ for a peaceful resolution of the long-standing conflict over
Upper Garabagh. “Armenia should be active in the negotiations and
alter its position. Otherwise, the chances acquired for the conflict
resolution will be missed”,

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told a news conference
on the results of the mediators’ visit to the region on Monday.

Azimov said the talks held by the mediating OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
in Baku were ‘important and beneficial’ but said the negotiating
process is ‘challenging’ and some issues remain to be agreed upon.

“The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs held detailed discussions on all
principles of the conflict resolution. But it is premature to cite
any results of such visits.”

The Foreign Ministry official termed Armenia’s position on some issues
as non-constructive. “Azerbaijan showed quite a constructive position
in the talks and now it is Armenia’s turn… A peace accord meeting
the interests of just one side is not feasible.”

As for the timeframe of the conflict settlement, Azimov said 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’ talks will depend on the meeting of
the foreign ministers on August 23, said Azimov.

“If positive results are achieved at the ministers’ talks, the
Presidents’ meeting will be beneficial as well.”

Azimov 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 said.

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 considered. “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’ forging 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 the city of Lachin cannot remain under occupation.”

Azimov said that Azerbaijan proposes a different route that goes
through Azerbaijani territories and would ensure the security of
Armenian residents.

The Deputy Foreign Minister dismissed reports on the determination
of the Upper Garabagh status through referendum. The status will be
determined jointly by all of its population, he said.

“Azerbaijan’s current laws forbid holding a referendum in any part of
the country. The issue is currently not being discussed. We are ready
to cooperate in any way within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

This could be strictly a nationwide poll in compliance with
Azerbaijan’s Constitution, otherwise a referendum is out of the
question.”

Azimov said that the issue should be resolved jointly by the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Upper Garabagh, but only
after Azerbaijanis return home and peace is restored. The views of the
Azerbaijani community should be definitely considered in determining
the status and the issue ‘cannot be solved by a simple majority of
votes’, he said.

“A part of the residents currently living in Upper Garabagh are
Armenians that came from abroad. Local Armenians who are citizens of
Azerbaijan as well as Azerbaijanis should determine their status. But
for this to be possible, the occupied territories must be freed,
mutual trust and economic ties restored.”

The Deputy Foreign Minister dismissed reports suggesting that the
return of only five regions is being discussed. The talks are focusing
on Armenia’s withdrawal from the seven regions around Upper Garabagh.

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”, he said.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said that restoring the road extending
from central Garabagh (Aghdam) through Armenia to Shahbuz, Nakhchivan
Autonomous Republic, would promote normalizing the relations
and establishing cooperation between the two peoples. The OSCE MG
co-chairs support Azerbaijan on the issue. Turkey is also ready to open
communication links and the Armenian side is now to make a decision,
he said.