CRISIS GROUP CALLS FOR PULLOUT OF ARMENIAN FORCES FROM 7 OCCUPIED REGIONS

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 12 2005

The International Crisis Group, an organization working to prevent
conflicts worldwide, has proposed that Armenia withdraw its armed
forces from the seven occupied regions of Azerbaijan.

This is reflected in its reports on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Nagorno Karabakh, ICG vice-president Alain Deletroz told
journalists in Baku on Friday.

The ICG representatives are expected to visit Armenia next week and
submit the reports. On Monday and Tuesday, they will meet Armenian
officials and public.

Deletroz said that Armenia should not insist on the determination
of the Nagorno Karabakh status, as disputes over the issue have
considerably delayed the conflict resolution.

“Therefore, Armenia must withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani
territories, refugees should return home, trust be restored between
the two sides, and at last, the Garabagh status determined.”

Deletroz said that the activities to be carried out prior to the
status determination will take at least 15-20 years.

Deletroz said that just like all other international organizations,
the ICG considers Nagorno Karabakh a part of Azerbaijan. “~TThis is the
legal aspect of the issue and there is no problem with it. The problem
is that Nagorno Karabakh is de-facto in the hands of Armenians.”