ICG MAKES PROPOSALS ON GARABAGH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 12 2005
Baku, September 9, AssA-Irada
The International Crisis Group has prepared two reports on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh, its vice-president
Alain Deletroz said.
The first document covers the current situation in Upper Garabagh and
the socio-economic plight of refugees and displaced persons, while
the other one provides analysis of talks on the conflict resolution.
In conclusion of the reports, the ICG provides numerous recommendations
to the Azerbaijani government, Deletroz told a press conference
on Friday.
The ICG representative said that two of the recommendations are of
particular importance. First, the organization suggests that Azerbaijan
restore its relations with Armenia.
“Azerbaijan imposed a ban on its ties with Armenia a long time ago.
The ICG understands its position in this respect but believes it
impedes the conflict settlement. We therefore suggest that the ban
be lifted.”
The second pivotal issue in ICG recommendations is preventing the
description of Armenians as Azerbaijan’s historic enemies. The ICG
came to this conclusion after monitoring the work of local media and
reviewing historic materials, said Deletroz.
Besides, Armenians are often termed as historic enemies in the
statements of Azerbaijani officials.
The ICG representative said that if the Garabagh conflict is resolved
at some point, Armenians living in Upper Garabagh will be considered
Azerbaijani citizens. Calling Armenians ‘historic enemies’ is therefore
unacceptable, he said.
The ICG is expected to release the final version of its report on
the Garabagh conflict next Wednesday.
The International Crisis Group, established in 1995, is working on
the prevention of conflicts in 44 countries. The organization is
represented by former foreign ministers and prime ministers.*