PARTIES TO KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR STABLE SETTLEMENT

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18. ARMINFO. During the 18 months following the start
of the Prague Process the Karabakh peace talks have substantially
deepened and there have been significant meetings between the Armenian
and Azeri FMs and presidents, OSCE Minsk Group US co-chair Stephen
Mann says in an interview to Hayastani Hanrapetoutyun newspaper.

The US approves of the process and during the period MG framework
discussions have grown into talks. No official agreement has however
been reached. There is mutual understanding, on some issues the parties
are near agreement. Of course nobody wants to break the confidentiality
of the process. But agreement is possible if the parties show political
will. This will allow them to split their differences, says Mann.

Asking the question if the MG is taking steps to involve Nagorny
Karabakh in the peace process Mann says that the talks are continued
in the Armenia-Azerbaijan format. The Karabakh conflict is a special
unique conflict. The international organizations can help, promote
the process but it is for the conflicting parties to find a solution.
On behalf of the US Mann says that they would very much like to see
the conflict resolved. In this situation the US is a good friend to
both countries.

Asked if the US support of Nagorny Karabakh is a display of special
attitude Mann says that one should not see much in this. The US is
providing Nagorny Karabakh with small humanitarian assistance with
no political implications.

Asked what can be more decisive in the process – oil or democracy –
Mann says that to resolve the conflict the parties will have to show
political will and commitment towards mutual concessions.

Asked how much the parties are ready for peace in terms of both
their publics and governments Mann says that the commitments of the
presidents is obvious.

Mann is convinced that Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliev sincerely
want peace. As to the peoples they obviously want all but war. The
history of the Caucasus is changing. And the last we will have to
see will hopefully be solutions presented to the public for approval.

Commenting on the question about the limits of possible concessions
by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorny Karabakh Mann reminds that lots
of discussions are being held on this issue. There is a good chance
for each party to achieve most of its goals. Such talks are very hard
to hold but there are excellent prospects for further development. No
party to a negotiating process can get 100% of what it wants. But the
parties to the Karabakh peace process have good real opportunities
for paving a stable way to settlement provided they show strong
political will.

This is a hard task but the parties have done much in this direction,
The US is closely following the work carried out since the beginning
of the Prague Process. This period has laid the basis for the
current stage leading to the Kazan meeting of the Armenian and Azeri
presidents. The US is expecting the parties to use this opportunity
for further dialogue and talks.