US PROMISES TO ACTIVATE EFFORTS TO SOLVE KARABAKH ISSUE

PanArmenian News Network
Aug 4 2005

04.08.2005 03:03

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On 1 August Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov started his first working visit to Washington at the
invitation of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. During the
visit to last by 5 August the FM will hold meetings at the State
Department, Pentagon, National Security Council and U.S. influential
political centers, reported the 525 Baku newspaper. August 2
Mammadyarov held meetings at the State Department, including
with C. Rice. However, a short statement by the Azeri FM allows
concluding that the Karabakh issue was just the key one among the
questions discussed. The Azeri FM said he was fully satisfied with the
discussions, adding the talks were very useful. In his words, the US as
a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group has promised to activate efforts for
soonest peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. C. Rice
underscored that the US stand in the issue is unchangeable – Washington
advocates solution of the conflict “based on the territorial
integrity principle.” The talks also focused on wide spectrum of
issues concerning bilateral and economic cooperation. The parties
noted with satisfaction the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum projects. C. Rice emphasized Azerbaijan’s
leadership in implementation of global projects. E. Mammadyarov
noted the importance of Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway
to Azerbaijan. August 2 E. Mammadyarov also met with OSCE MG US
Ambassador Steven Mann. The conversation focused on the Karabakh peace
talks. As it is known Armenian and Azeri Presidents are expected
to meet in Kazan Russian town at the unofficial CIS summit. The
Mammadyarov-Mann meeting again considered the settlement process on
the eve of the meeting. Yesterday Mr. Mammadyarov held meetings in
Pentagon and National Security Council. His visit to Pentagon resulted
in various speculations in the Azeri and Russian print. It should
be reminded that E. Mammadyarov paid a similar visit to Washington
last summer, but he did not go to Pentagon. Thus some observers
state that his visit to Pentagon aims at preparing Pentagon Chief
Donald Rumsfeld’s visit to Baku expected at the end of August. It is
noted that the FM’s visit in question and those to Pentagon becoming
frequent evidence the US launching implementation of the plans to
deploy its military base in Azerbaijan. There are also statements
available that Azerbaijan’s agreement to deployment of the base in
its territory can result in significant mitigation of the Washington
stance over the November election in Azerbaijan. It is stated that
political bargain takes place between the US and Azerbaijan over
these two issues, the newspaper notes.