NAGORNO-KARABAKH LEADER UNCERTAIN ABOUT PROGRESS IN TALKS

Armenpress
Sept 6, 2005

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS: Nagorno-Karabakh leader, Arkady
Ghukasian, sounded today uncertain about progress in talks over the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution, but singled out some elements,
which he described as ‘positive,’ such as talk in Azerbaijan about
holding a referendum in Karabakh on its future political status.

Nevertheless, speaking to reporters in Yerevan after talks with
Dimitrij Ruupel, Slovenia’s foreign minister, holding now the rotating
position of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Ghukasian praised Azerbaijani
authorities for shifting to ‘ constructive framework.”

“The negotiations have not yet produced any tangible outcome so far
and this is due to a set of un-reconciled issues and I do not believe
that a resolution is possible this year,” Ghukasian said, expressing
concern over contradicting assessments of talks coming from Armenian
and Azerbaijani authorities .

” I just can not imagine any status for Karabakh that would be
lower of independence,” he said. Ghukasian did not likewise sound
optimistic about the efforts of the OSCE Minsk group, saying their
are reduced to regular visits to the region, but welcomed any contact
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, adding, however, the conflict could
be resolved only with direct involvement of Stepanakert into the
negotiation process. Dimitrij Ruupel in turn assured of his readiness
to speak to anyone, including also Karabakh authorities, ‘if it would
help end the conflict.”